Multiple fastest WRC2 times made Lindholm smile
Team GRX’s Emil Lindholm’s and Mikael Korhonen’s Rally Finland got a great ending. The Volkswagen driving Finnish twosome started the last day, Sunday, with the help of rally 2 regulation and clocked WRC 2-class fastest times on all four special stages.
Lindholm had to retire Rally Finland twice, Friday and Saturday, when the mounting bolt of his shock absorber broke. The twosome who continued the competition with rally 2 regulation couldn’t compete after time penalties for the top standings but clocked multiple fastest times, 10 in the WRC 2-class.
“First full and complete day without problems felt good and was a nice way of ending this rally. Feeling of my driving was good regardless of the retirements. Of course when long anticipated highlight of the season gets interrupted it isn’t a great feeling but fastest times on the special stages puts a smile on my face”.
Lindholm and Korhonen started the Rally Finland to compete towards winning WRC 2-class.
“Based on the special stage times we had the chance of winning. Because of retirements we lost few positions on WRC 2-class standings but it was important to see where we stand in this stage of our driving careers speed wise compared to others”.
“WRC2 Pro-class winner Kalle Rovanperä only drove few special stages all out so comparing us to
him is useless. Matching up to others we were able to drive good speed without taking any risks”. Lindholm tells that after Rally Finland the feeling in his mind is still positive.
“We are not upset that we participated, on contrary us both, the team and car manufacturer learned a lot from this rally. This is a good place to continue and drive Jyväskylä next year again. I am satisfied with my own driving performance. I drove steadily and sure. World Championship
Rally is always a long competition where tough spots and “that was close situations” happen. We only had one small incident during the whole weekend and there we lost about two seconds”, Lindholm counted.
“Participating this rally is a great accomplishment from all of our sponsors so the biggestthank you for this great possibility and experience goes to them. Next we will continue our season less than in four weeks here in Finland on rally SM-series”, Lindholmreminds.
Photo: Taneli Niinimäki
