Guest blog by Thiemo Albers-Daly
Aino Riipinen is a Finnish Rally Co-Driver who – despite having always had a passion for cars and motorsport – didn’t get into the racing world in the traditional way. Instead, Aino followed another passion of hers as she became a beauty and cosmetics content creator (amongst other things). From there though, the lure of motorsport became stronger and stronger and soon enough, Aino found herself getting dragged willingly into that world, through being part of the production team in the Finnish Drifting Championship and then making the final step up – by competing in a Rally for the first time in the role of the Co-Driver, something she’s since fallen in love with and she hasn’t looked back.
We chatted about all this and much more when we caught up earlier in the year, which you can read in full below. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
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What first got you interested in the World of Motorsport?
I’ve been interested in the motorsport industry since I was a toddler! First as a fan and now as a co-driver in rallying. I think part of my interest came from fast cars and loud noises, just the things adrenaline junkies love!
You’re more known on social media for Beauty and Cosmetics content- how did the chance to take part in a rally in 2023 come about? And what did the opportunity mean to you?
I got involved in rallying thanks to the team that I’m representing these days (IRP Nordic) in the summer of 2022. First, I hung around in the garage and did some marketing and content creation for the team.
In early 2023 they asked if I’d be willing to sit in the rally car for a test run. I didn’t know the test run would turn into an official rally sprint where our names would be on the starting list!
The race was a rally sprint with premade pace notes and I took the chance. I’m always grateful to my team for this opportunity since that rally lit my spark to real fire and gave me my career.
Why did you want to be a Rally Co-Driver instead of a driver?
It was pretty obvious to pursue the career of a co-driver after that experience. I didn’t find any spark to take the driver’s seat in rally- but maybe in other sports 😉
So, you’ve been racing for a year now- how many races have you competed in and what were some of your highlights?
I’ve competed in 7 races with one of them ending with a rough rollover. Some of my highlights are for sure the class victory in my first pace note rally last May and the season start at 2024 F-Cup when we finished 3rd in our class!
On the other side, what has been the biggest challenge for you to overcome since you began?
My biggest challenge might be the fact that I needed to prove my skills and show people that us winning (in May) wasn’t just “beginners’ luck”. And I think our first rally this season proves that I’m taking this seriously. I believed myself from the beginning, but I think that first pace note rally took some people by surprise to see how well we succeeded. And when you have 20,000 followers you have eyes on you – all the time.
You’ve also been involved in the realm of drifting- tell me about this.
Well, this is a part most people might not know about me! 😀 I started to work for Keski-Korpi Motorsport in 2022 as a translator and did that for about 1.5 years. Our ways parted in December 2023 when I took more time to focus on my own motorsport career.
Another string on your bow is that you’ve been a Grid Interviewer – when and how did this happen, how was it and would you like to do that again?
Absolutely! This weekend must be one of my best weekends ever! 😀 I reached out to the production of the Finnish Drifting Championship (Drift SM) and was asked to participate in the season finale at the Power Park track. It was such a fun opportunity and I’d love to do it more, someday. I want to give a big shoutout to my fellow interviewer Netta Pekkala who also is a former racing girl herself!
How is the motorsport world for women in Finland who want to compete and get involved?
I like to think the door is open for every single person with interest, male or female. Sadly, there are people who try to shut that door, but I like to think everyone can perform in the field they love.
Would you like to combine your passions for beauty and motorsport?
In my own perspective I’ve combined them already! Beauty and motorsports don’t take anything away from each other. We see beautiful women in motorsport every day and dividing these two worlds isn’t something we should do.
What are your plans for 2024 and ambitions for the future?
In 2024 my, well our, plan is to compete in the Finnish F-Cup and hopefully we’ll win a medal by the end of this season! For upcoming seasons my ambitions go as far as WRC but first I want to compete and get knowledge in the Finnis Championship- maybe next year if everything goes by my plan!
If you could compete in any rally with any driver, which combination would you choose?
Well, the obvious answer would be with Kalle Rovanperä in the Secto Rally Finland, but I think that is too easy to guess! 😀 My heart aches for Craig Breen, he was such an inspiring role model with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen in rallying. So, if it would be possible, I’d love to read pace notes for him in Rally Sweden, he was on fire that weekend!
Do you have a favourite film that you always like to rewatch?
I’m not really a film watcher but one that left an impact on me is Schumacher – he was my inspiration and idol growing up.
Would you rather have your favourite three meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day or never be able to eat any of them again?
The way I see food is that it’s fuel for my body, so I don’t really have any favourites! 😀 So, if I get to eat, I’m happy with that! 😀
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Thank You to Aino for taking the time to chat and wishing you the best of luck for 2024.
Paddock Sorority 
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