Vatanen in control of ERC3 in Sweden as Rahill secures KMS Racing 1-2
Finnish rally team KMS Racing ‘s young talents, Ville Vatanen and Craig Rahill, finished 1-2 in the ERC3 category of Royal Rally of Scandinavia. For Vatanen, the victory meant a first international level victory.
Finnish rally team and official M-Sport partner KMS Racing has scored a 1-2 in ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy in the second round of the ERC, the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. The event was won by Ville Vatanen, who scored his maiden international and ERC victory. Ensuring a 1-2 for KMS Racing was Craig Rahill, who had his first taste of Swedish gravel roads last weekend.
Vatanen took the command of the category right after SS1. The 19-year-old reigned the timing sheets by winning 14 out of 16 stages during the weekend. The winning margin at the finish was 1:01,9.
-I’m feeling relieved. We achieved what we set out for, and we were able to drive our own clean rally without overdriving or pushing too hard. We also avoided punctures, and the car worked flawlessly and cooperation in the cabin was great. It was a joy to drive, Vatanen said.
-I wouldn’t have believed going in to the season that we’d be standing on the first step of the podium, even though our pace is stronger on gravel than on tarmac. Next time around in Rome it’s tarmac time, and that brings its own challenges too, but we have been preparing as well as possible to have leading pace there. Big thanks to my cooperation partners, KMS Racing team, and of course my co-driver Joonas Ojala for the great weekend.
Second highest points in the ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy went to Irishman Craig Rahill, who took the second place along with co-driver Conor Smith. Competing in the fast gravel roads of Sweden for the first time, the 22-year-old drove top 3 times in all but two of the weekend’s stages.
-It’s been a great weekend. The goal was to build mileage and experience on these fast and crazy stages, and we got closer and closer to Ville throughout the weekend. I’m so grateful to be able to have so much seat time in the car, so a big thank you to all my sponsors and the Motorsport Ireland Academy. Fair play to Ville, he drove a stormer of a rally, but we will not leave that hanging when we get to Rome and to tarmac, Rahill said.
KMS Racing Team Principal Jussi Kumpumäki is delighted to see the two young talents succeed on an international stage. At the same time, the high level of performance and dedication by the youngsters is a joy to the whole team.
-We achieved what we set out for here, and the rally couldn’t have gone any better. It’s of course a massive thing for the team, and whilst we have scored double podiums before, a 1-2 has never materialized until now. We are reassured going into Rome as we know that both drivers can score stage wins on tarmac and win on gravel. It’s also motivating to see two fast and hungry drivers push to the limit. I’m eagerly waiting for the rest of the season, Kumpumäki said.
European Rally Championship season continues 3rd to 5th of July with ERC Rally di Roma Capitale in Rome, Italy.
ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia Results – ERC3:
1. Ville Vatanen 1:36:29.1 Ford Fiesta Rally3 FIN
2. Craig Rahill +1:01.9 Ford Fiesta Rally3 IRL
3. Petr Kacirek jun. +2:36.7 Ford Fiesta Rally3 CZE
4. Casey Jay Coleman +2:52.5 Ford Fiesta Rally3 IRL
5. Kerem Kazaz +3:13.3 Renault Clio Rally3 TUR
Photo: Hannu Rainamo
