A stunning debut victory for Valkonen – All KMS Racing cars finished in points

05.03.2023 /

KMS Racing enjoyed a successful weekend at the home town of rallying in Jyväskylä. Nico Valkonen won on his debut with a Ford Fiesta Rally4. All four KMS Racing cars finished on the points in the two-day event.

An official M-Sport Partner in Finland, KMS Racing, competed in the third round of the Finnish Rally Championship, SM Jyväskylän Talviralli. With a solid four-car line-up, three in FRC3 and one in FRC2, the results were a class victory and a lot of experience.

In his debut with the Ford Fiesta Rally4 and a career-third rally with a R2/Rally4 category machinery, Nico Valkonen shook the press with a stunning victory. The 24-year-old won the FRC3 category by a 1,8 second margin.

-It was an amazing rally for us! I had the win in my mind before the rally but didn’t think it would come to realisation. The pace notes were on point at all times, thanks to my co-driver Kari Kallio. Thank you also to Rautpohjan Konepaja, KMS Racing and all my cooperation partners, friends, and family for making this happen, said the fresh FRC category winner Valkonen.

KMS Racing’s Daniel Polasek finished his career-third snow rally in P12. The Czech driver reflected on his development and experiences during his first snow rally season.

-We are so happy to finish this rally. Unfortunately, not the result we wanted, but good knowledge and experience was gained from here and we will get stronger, said Polasek at the finish.

Eight in FRC3 was Joonas Ojala. The 16-year-old’s rally wasn’t the easiest, but a clean and solid result gives confidence going into the summer events.

-It was a bit of a difficult rally for us, however the pace was there at times. We drove a clean rally and scored some solid points, said Ojala.

In FRC2, Ville Laakso was ninth in category. Debut in a four-wheel-drive machinery with the Ford Fiesta Rally3 yielded valuable lessons, and a big smile.

-We have a lot of fun! Everything about four-wheel-drive cars is new to me, but we’re getting there. The car feels like a proper rally car, and the car has so much performance to be squeezed. Definitely won’t be my last rally in a Fiesta Rally3! Laakso told.

The rally was a good showing of KMS Racing resources, capabilities and professionalism. Team Principal Jussi Kumpumäki is especially proud of Nico’s win, as well and the progress being made in the projects with KMS Racing drivers.

-A massive thumbs up for Nico, I’m really happy for him. Also huge thanks to our service crew, they managed splendidly and each and every one of them does a fantastic work. Daniel was again on a upwards trajectory in terms of his pace on the snow, and we’ll continue improving. We’re committed to him for this whole year, and this was another step towards our goals. Ville had a solid debut with four-wheel-drive with a clean rally. I’m waiting for the next chapter with Ville and Rally3 for sure. Joonas had a clean rally, he collected some solid points and finishing makes the transition into the summer season that much easier.

Finnish Rally Championship continues on 19th to 20th of May with SM Pohjanmaa Ralli.

Overall results in FRC2

Overall results in FRC3

Kuva: Merita Mäkinen