Craig Rahill brought KMS Racing back-to-back 1-2s in ERC3
KMS Racing drivers scored a 1-2 in ERC3 in the Rally di Roma Capitale. Craig Rahill won his maiden ERC3 and AWD win as Ville Vatanen took the lead of the ERC3 championship.
Finnish rally team and M-Sport Partner KMS Racing have won the third round of the ERC, Rally di Roma Capitale. Craig Rahill led home the back-to-back 1-2 for the team while winning his maiden event in ERC3. Meanwhile, Ville Vatanen finished P2 after an event-long battle with his teammate. Second highest points elevate the Finn into the lead of the ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy point standings.
Rahill’s big win
Irish talent Craig Rahill and his co-driver Conor Smith set out to improve upon the P2 last time out in Sweden. Rahill started the event strongly and was leading the event momentarily during Saturday, but ended the day in second place. The 19-year-old Irishman was on a mission on Sunday and overtook his teammate to win his first ever ERC3 event, as well as his first rally with AWD car, winning seven stages from eleven total.
-I’m over the moon. I knew I had to push hard this morning to get ahead of Ville, and it was a good day of rallying. These machines are unbelievable and on these tarmac roads it’s so enjoyable, I enjoyed every second of it. I’m so happy to have this opportunity to compete on these events. Huge thanks to Motorsport Ireland academy, all my sponsors, and the KMS Racing team. Hopefully that’s the championship back on track after our DNF in Spain, Rahill said.
Vatanen to lead the championship
Ville Vatanen and his co-driver Joonas Ojala aimed to score a second win in a row after the pair’s breakthrough win in Sweden. The 19-year-old started with a third fastest time around Colosseum, but moved into the lead during Saturday by 3,7 seconds over his teammate. On Sunday, Rahill however narrowed the gap and moved up to lead the event whilst the Finn finished in P2 in category. Vatanen won three stages during the weekend.
-The rally started well on pace, and we were leading after Saturday. We had a good fight with Craig, and pulled a gap to the rest of the category. On Sunday I couldn’t quite match Craig, and congratulations to him for the win, I gave everything I had with this experience. We are now leading the championship after a good amount of points gained here. Big thanks to my partners, KMS Racing team, and my co-driver Joonas, everything was working flawlessly both from the team side and inside the cockpit, Vatanen said.
Win in Italy was a team effort
KMS Racing Team Principal Jussi Kumpumäki is impressed from the great performance of both of the team’s young drivers, but also happy from the team’s big efforts. Back-to-back 1-2s didn’t come without a team-wide push or sweat, least from the scorching heat.
-I’m really happy for the result, back-to-back 1-2 is a big thing for the whole team! The weekend was exciting and we lived the battle for victory together, as our drivers were pushing flat-out until the end in the heat. It’s not an easy thing for sure. I want to congratulate Craig for his maiden ERC3 win and Ville for the great result in P2, and also extend by gratitude to the whole team for their efforts. The days are long, and the over 40 degree heat makes the days more rough. With two 1-2 results the goal for the rest of the season is clear – let’s push for more, Kumpumäki said.
ERC continues in Poland on tarmac 24th to 26th of July.
Rally di Roma Capitale results – ERC3:
1.Craig Rahill 2:05:12.3 Ford Fiesta Rally3
2. Ville Vatanen +14.8 Ford Fiesta Rally3
3. Lucas Zielinski +1:07.9 Renault Clio Rally3
4. Casey Jay Coleman +1:20.4 Ford Fiesta Rally3
ERC3 point standing round 3/7:
1. Ville Vatanen 67 FIN
2. Lucas Zielinski 66 FRA
3. Casey Jay Coleman 62 IRE
4. Craig Rahill 54 IRE
M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy point standings round 3/5:
1.Ville Vatanen 71 FIN
2. Casey Jay Coleman 70 IRE
3. Petr Kacirek 59 CZE
4. Craig Rahill 54 IRE
Photo: Hannu Rainamo
