The event, which began in 1951, forces drivers through 20 special stages characterized by blind crests and massive jumps. Success depends on the ability of the Dynapro R213 tires to absorb severe landing impacts while maintaining steering stability on loose surfaces. Last year, this specific tire enabled a record-breaking average speed of 129.95 km/h, setting a benchmark for the current season.

Competition remains tight among the leading manufacturers. The Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, whose headquarters sits only 3 kilometers from the service park, enters the fray with five cars. Following his maiden victory in Estonia, Sami Pajari leads the home-crowd expectations, while the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team counters with 2017 winner Esapekka Lappi, Adrien Fourmaux, and Thierry Neuville. As the exclusive supplier for all WRC classes, Hankook plans to use the rally’s extreme data points to further refine its global R&D strategy.