KMS Racing set to be on top form in the ERC3 category in Rome
Finnish rally team KMS Racing heads into the third event of the ERC calendar with a two-car line-up. Last round’s ERC3 winner Ville Vatanen scored a 2nd place in a preparatory event last weekend, whilst Craig Rahill finished on podium in Rome last year.
European Rally Championship continues this weekend in Italy with the traditional Rally di Roma Capitale. Held on the fast tarmac roads around the capital of Rome, the highlight is the super special stage around the historic Colosseum stadium.
Finnish racing team KMS Racing competes with a two-car line-up. Competing with Ford Fiesta Rally3 machinery in both ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy categories, the Finnish pair of Ville Vatanen and Joonas Ojala head into the event with number 44 whilst number 49 is piloted by Irish duo Craig Rahill and Conor Smith.
Test event success to give boost to Vatanen
The winner of the last ERC round held on the gravel roads of Sweden, Vatanen is eager to score two in a row. The preparations have been thorough, with the 19-year old talent finishing second by mere 0,8 seconds in the preparatory Rally Internazionale del Casentino rally last weekend.
-We achieved good stage kilometers last weekend, and it feels nice to be back on tarmac. There is room for some improvement after Spain, and we’ve been able to progress with the driving. The level of competition is high this weekend, so the margins won’t be like in Sweden. This rally demands our best, but that’s what we are going to give. The goal is of course to win the event, Vatanen said.
Rome to Rahill’s liking
Craig Rahill heads into the tarmac roads of Italy with a second place in ERC Sweden, securing KMS Racing’s first international 1-2 result. The 22-year old Irish talent is eager to return to the roads that lead to Rome, boosted by his maiden ERC podium last year.
-The feeling is good. We have fond memories here last year, as we took our maiden ERC podium here in the ERC4 category. Stage here are really nice, and we are hoping to get good points on the board and come away with a good result, Rahill said.
Strong line-up to head KMS Racing’s charge
Going into the third event of the season, Vatanen is second in both ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy standings. Rahill is seventh in ERC3 standings and fifth in the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy due to a sensory fault in the season-opening ERC Spain that caused the Irishman to retire. KMS Racing Team Principal Jussi Kumpumäki believes both drivers will be fighting at the top of the category.
-It’s nice for us to return to tarmac. Ville had a good test event, with him narrowly missing the win. This is a strong indication that he’s on top pace. Craig had successful pre-event tests, and he’ll surely be in the fight for top positions as well. Spain’s stage times support our belief that we will have two cars fighting for the win again. I’m anticipating an exciting competition, both overall and within the team, Kumpumäki said.
ERC Rally di Roma Capitale is held in Rome, Italy from 3rd to 5th of July. The rally consists of 11 special stages and 197 special stage kilometres. The rally is shown live in the Rally.tv streaming service.
ERC3 standing round 2/8:
1.Lucas Zielinski 45 FRA
2. Ville Vatanen 43 FIN
3. Casey Jay Coleman 43 IRE
4. Petr Kacirek 36 CHZ
7. Craig Rahill 24 IRE
M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy standings round 2/5:
1. Casey Jay Coleman 49 IRE
2. Ville Vatanen 47 FIN
3. Petr Kacirek 40 CHZ
4. Kalum Graffin 39 IRE
5. Craig Rahill 24 IRE
Photo: @World / Red Bull Content Pool
