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Raid Mosquito 2002
(English version)
Another successful Raid Mosquito is history
The 2nd Raid Mosquito in July 2002 was a success. The weather was perfect ( + 20...+30°C) all the time, no technical problems (the losses were three trailer tyres and one Acadiane tyre), interesting remote places, two nice 2CV meetings and above all very nice people and new great friends. Just the mosquitos seemed to be missing most of the time. The number of foreign participants could well have been greater, but anyhow we were an average of 20 cars which is a good size for such a group. There were participants from Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and of course Finland.
The raid itself was more than 3000 km in 11 days, again a surprise even if we had made the distances shorter than the first Raid Mosquito. Of course we did not try to take the shortest way ever. The route included two Finnish 2CV meetings, but otherwise we stayed mostly camping in the most remote places enjoying the nature.
Have look at the photos to get a better idea how this raid was like, maybe see you here one day...?
There has been wondering, if a 3rd Raid Mosquito should take place in the summer of 2004. The work involved in the organising is quite big and as this raid is targeted to foreign participants, the number of them should be big enough. If interested, you can get in touch with the organisers, email: <fin2cv@suomen2cvkilta.fi> . If there seems to be a lot of demand, I am sure it is not difficult to motivate the organisers again. For possible news, you can also visit http://www.sitruuna.com/mosquito/ .
Anyhow, the 10th Raid Laponie will take place in February 2004. If you want to be in the group, let us know as early as possible. At the moment we have no dates or any other info to give you. Wait until the world meeting in Italy.
THANKS TO ALL THE PARICIPANTS AND TO THE 2CV CLUBS OF KUOPIO AND KAJAANI AND OUR SPONSORS (ESPECIALLY AUTOMECA) AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS RAID HAPPEN.
On the behalf of the organisers,
Finnish 2CV Guild
Jukka Isomäki
Mäntymäentie 7
FIN-65200 VAASA
Finland
home (also fax): +358 6 3123971
mobile: +358 40 7200 211
email: fin2cv@suomen2cvkilta.fi
20 2CVs and derivates with about 40 people took part in the 2nd Raid Mosquito in July 2002.
A few of the oldest participating cars, a Spanish-built Ami6 from 1969 and a 2CV A from 1951, both owned by the Elo family
The "Hippi" dyane was known for its shake-shake movements on the bumpy dirt roads. Good chock absorbers is a good idea for Raid Mosquito.
Every night, an entertaining competition was held and the overall leader was wearing a yellow shirt.
A drivers meeting ("ajajakokous" in Finnish) was also held every night to discuss about the next day´s route possibilities.
The Arctic Circle sign along a less busy road in Eastern Lapland near the Russian border line.
In the Arctic Circle ceremonies, the participants were served traditional Finnish "viili" and the forest berries they picked themselves the very same day. The ceremonies were lead by the Santa Claus himself with a little help from Marina Bouman in Finnish language.
The "2CV Blues" meeting is the most popular Finnish 2CV meeting for the moment with nearly 150 2CVs including the whole Raid Mosquito group. It was a great party with great music. Also the "Blue Mosquitos Band" made its debute.
Above the Arctic circle, the landscape changes a lot more desert like. The raid took very small "reindeer roads" with very rough road surface which also lead to some flat tyres. Our very own shaman helped us find our way out of the woods after a few dead ends.
"The Silent Folks", a special work of art with hundreds of puppies in a big field. Some looked quite real.
In Sirniö the 2cvs camped just in front of the local museum area and the smith willage. A dutchman - Ronald Bouman - was seen making a number "2" out of glowing iron.
In Vehu (in the middle of nowhere), the last night´s ceremonies were held with the last competitions: rubber boot throwing and mosquito catching. Thanks Anke and Andreas (From Germany) for the pastis.
Adriano Giorgi from Italy is awarded for his participation (left). Andre Masure from Belgium (right) continued to the Lofotes after the raid.
During the whole raid, the weather was very nice, temperatures between 20...30C and very little rain. With the thousand lakes and saunas, there was no question which was the most popular program each evening. The mosquitos made no troubles, only one night the really reminded us of their capabilities. Most of the time you really had to look for them or wait until the sun set, but he did not really set in Lapland - it was light all day and night!
Jukka Isomäki, Vaasa, Finland
