Lindholm once again the champion
SM Valvoline-ralli, Hyvinkää
The final round of Finnish Rally Championship was driven today at Hyvinkää, southern Finland. The battle for championship was still hard in three of the classes, only Janne Vähämiko was confirmed as the champion already two rallies before in class Gr A, 2-litres.
Sebastian Lindholm was again in charge with his Peugeot 206 WRC. He lead the rally from the second stage to the end and the only rival, Jouni Ampuja (Ford Focus WRC) was unable to answer his speed. Ampuja managed to be winner on six special stage out of eighteen. Lndholms score was ten as Jarmo Mikkonen grabbed two wins with his Ford Focus WRC. This championship was Lindholms seventh, and he was naturally satified at the finnish: - This was a fine rally and we had to avoid mistakes. We had no need to win, second place would have been enough, but I find it easyer to drive with full speed than driving too carefully, Lindholm told at the finnish.
Jouni Ampuja did understand his position as he was the only one truely challenging Lindholm at this event:
- I did understand that I cant do impossible things. As Lindholms lead after first day was already 30 seconds, I decided more like conentrating on my own driving. Lindholm is not easy to cach but we needed to be ready, if there might happen even a small mistake on his side. Lindholm did no mistakes and won the rally and the championship. Third at the rally and at the championship as well was Juuso Pykälistö with Toyota Corolla WRC.
The battle was even tighter at the Gr N, over 2-litres. The battle was between Juha Salo and Jukka ketomaki. Wich one would be first at the finish would win the championship aswell. They fought hard both hitting the winning times on the stages. Salo was stronger and took the win by some 12 seconds and the championship with his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7. Second and the silver medalist is Jukka Ketomäki and bronze goes to Marko Kakko, who retired between the last stage and the podium for gear box problems. Third in the event was Jarkko Miettinen. In Gr n, 2-litres the winner and the champion is Juho Hänninen with Honda Civic, second with silver is Marko Mänty and third position and the bronze goes to Joonas Lindroos.
