Dominguez to a debut class win with KMS in Otepää – A lot of experience for the young drivers in FRC Kuopio

04.02.2023 / KMS Racing Press

KMS Racing competed in both Otepää Talveralli and FRC Kuopio this Saturday. Paraguayan Diego Dominguez, preparing for his JWRC campaign starting in WRC Sweden, won his class and finished P10 overall. In Kuopio, Czech driver Daniel Polasek finished fifth in category.

M-Sport Official Partner in Finland, KMS Racing, competed in two events spanning two countries on Saturday 4^th of February. KMS Racing fielded two Ford Fiesta Rally4 cars in FRC Kuopio for Czech driver Daniel Polasek and young Finn Joonas Ojala. Meanwhile in Estonia, the single Fiesta Rally3 was driven by Paraguayan Diego Dominguez, as the Paraguayan Diego Dominguez, prepared for his JWRC campaign in an identical M-Sport -built Fiesta Rally3.

Starting in Otepää, the 23-year-old Dominguez made his snow debut as part of his preparations for WRC Rally Sweden. The Paraguayan took the lead of the EMV3 category, and didn’t look behind, finishing P10 overall on his way to victory, scoring a sixth-fastest stage time on SS3.

-I feel positive going to Sweden. I felt very comfortable as the whole team was behind me. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to do good job overall. Sweden is going to be tough for sure, but I’m feeling positive. I’m comfortable with the conditions and the car, so a really good day, Dominguez said.

In Kuopio, the schedule included eight special stages. On the first leg of the rally, Polasek, competing in his career-second winter rally, drove consistently being fifth in category by the mid-rally service. Ojala scored a fine 5^th fastest time on SS2 but was forced to retire on the next stage.

-The route was incredible, and we had the best stages still ahead of us. I’m gutted. The car landed on its nose after one jump, and the consequent damage forced us to retire, Ojala explained.

On the second leg Polasek set out to gain clean stage kilometres. A sure drive from the 23-year-old ended in fifth place in FRC3 category, with a fourth fastest time on SS7.

-We are so happy to finish the rally. It wasn’t an easy day for us. The performance was not ideal, but we know where the mistakes are and will work on it to show improvement in Jyväskylä, Polasek told at the finish.

KMS Racing team principal Jussi Kumpumäki had a lot to follow throughout the weekend.

-Great performance from Diego by winning his category on his debut on snow. Furthermore, he left many higher category cars behind him. I wish him the best of luck to WRC Sweden! Kumpumäki compliments.

-We will continue learning with Daniel in Jyväskylä. We collected a lot of valuable stage kilometres today and gained new experience. We have a clear plan where to focus with Daniel between now and Jyväskylä. Unfortunate retirement from Joonas, but I’m hopeful we’ll get clean stage kilometres in Jyväskylä, Kumpumäki continues.

KMS Racing’s competitive season continues in FRC Jyväskylä on 3^rd to 4^th of March.

Otepää Talveralli overall results – 110,38 km:

Photo: Mark Aleksejev