Haapea has visited WA four times since his appointment to the role.
“It’s probably no exaggeration to say WA is the most important state for Finland in Australia, from mining and the minerals value chain to defence,” he said.
Finland’s Ambassador to Australia Arto Haapea will take part in the Shitbox Rally later this week.
Shitbox Rally founder James Freeman said the rally was becoming the United Nations of charity rallies.
“I love showing foreigners and Australians alike the vast and strikingly beautiful parts of our country, and for Arto to join us on the Perth to Darwin rally, he and his co-driver will certainly see more than most of his other countrymen,” he said.
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This year’s rally will leave from Langley Park in Perth this Friday morning and take drivers up through the guts of WA’s outback, and along the Gibb River Road.
The last time the rally tackled the Gibb River Road was 10 years ago.
This year’s rally has 516 people registered, driving in teams of two.
There are 38 local WA teams taking part in this year’s race, expected to raise more than $2.5 million for the Cancer Council.
Finnish companies operating in WA such as Nokia, which is completing the high-capacity rail signalling project for Metronet, and mining services company Metso, have helped Happea raise more than $50,000.
Finnish F1 driver Valtteri Bottas has also thrown his support behind his country’s ambassador.
“I always like to help rookie drivers, so here’s my tip for Arto: ‘lähetä se vain’; meaning ‘just send it,’” Bottas said in an Instagram video last month.
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