Finnish rallying championship news

**Hartusvuori** · 14th Dec 11, 06:46

I think Finnish rallying championships deserve a thread of their own. I hope you think so too.

Entries for Finnish rally championship 2012 are open and so far a couple of dozen crews have entered. In 2012 there'll be titles for 4WD and 2WD drivers, though 2WD cars compete in two categories (FIN R3, FIA R3 and R2 and R1). Original plan was to divide 4WD cars in two categories too, but that idea was dropped.

Some entries so far:
- Juha Salo in Evo X R4
- Esapekka Lappi in Fiesta S2000
- Kari Hämäläinen in Fiesta S2000 (a gentleman driver more or less)
- Riku Tahko in Evo X (NORF 2011 PWRC wild card entrant)
- Jussi Tiippana in Evo IX
- Ville Hautamäki in Civic Type-R
- Jussi Vainionpää in Civic Type-R
- Andreas Amberg in Fiesta R2
- Pekka Vihma in DS3 R3 (this must be the first of its kind in Finland, a gentleman driver though)

No news yet on Lindroos, Rantanen, Nikara, Vihavainen, ... but there's time.

You can follow entries from Kiti: https://kiti.akk-motorsport.fi/
(Sarjat > Ralli SM 2012 1-ohjaajat > sarjaan ilmoittautuneet)

**HarriK** · 14th Dec 11, 08:07

New in R2 is Henri Haapamäki with Citroen C2R2Max. Car is from Poland I heard.
Really looking forward his speed.

Lappi's car is in rebuild in these days.

There is also rumours that more Subarus is coming in R4....

**pantealex** · 14th Dec 11, 14:39

Originally Posted by HarriK

There is also rumours that more Subarus is coming in R4....

I have heard this XXX rumour also. So, it´s probably true!

**Juha_Koo** · 14th Dec 11, 16:02

Originally Posted by HarriK

There is also rumours that more Subarus is coming in R4....

TMR or RDF? Or maybe both...

**OldF** · 14th Dec 11, 16:10

I once read in Vauhdin Maailma that some drivers left their car in garage because of the Pirelli deal. If that was the case let’s see if they will return to the field.

**Hartusvuori** · 16th Dec 11, 08:10

Lots of new entries for FRC. Biggest thing for sure is that Joonas Lindroos is returning to 2WD car, most likely a money issue. He has entered in Citroen C2 R2. It's good rally car but for sure I would've liked to see Joonas in 4WD. Kalle Pinomäki in Clio R3 and Jaro Kinnunen in Civic Type R are there too.

In 4WD entries one interesting name is Jukka Korhonen, but his machinery is TBA TBA. Same with Mikko Eskelinen. Ari Vihavainen is there too. Tommi Mäkinen's (first?) Impreza R4 entry is by Jouni Virtanen. So far 30 entries in 4WD which sounds good.

**pantealex** · 16th Dec 11, 12:53

There is only 1 Fiesta-R2 (and 7 C2-R2) in that list, but here in Finland we have 6-8 Fiesta-R2 cars. Lindroos C2 is Tomi Tukiainen´s car. We can´t forget that Pekka Koski (ex Mitsu ralliart Finland chief) is Citroen man now

There is still 4 S2000 without drive: Kimi´s punto, Laivola´s 207, RDF Fabia and TGM Fabia

Mikko Pajunen is most likely Jukka Korhonen´s team mate in that TBA TBA 4wd

+ there is still one fast former multichampion coming with EVO...

**Wim_Impreza** · 16th Dec 11, 13:31

Originally Posted by pantealex

+ there is still one fast former multichampion coming with EVO...

Sebastian Lindholm or Jarmo Kytölehto?

**pantealex** · 16th Dec 11, 18:07

Originally Posted by Wim_Impreza

Sebastian Lindholm or Jarmo Kytölehto?

No

**Hartusvuori** · 16th Dec 11, 18:24

In the latest Hanaa! magazine there was a short story on how Lindholm drove Michelin's Monte tyre test in Finland with Laivola's 207 S2000.

**Tom206wrc** · 17th Dec 11, 09:42

Would have prefered a DS3 R3 for Jonas Lindroos would have been better for the fight in 2WD

**Hartusvuori** · 29th Dec 11, 05:33

Esapekka Lappi testing Fiesta S2000, onboards from daylight and darkness.

EPL Pihtipudas Videos - Printsport Pictures

**HarriK** · 29th Dec 11, 13:43

Esapekka drove today also tests. There were also 3 other drivers tests in same place.

**Juha_Koo** · 31st Dec 11, 14:27

Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

In 4WD entries one interesting name is Jukka Korhonen, but his machinery is TBA TBA. Same with Mikko Eskelinen.

I think Eskelinen will continue with his Evo10. Jukka Korhonen also most likely with Evo...

**pantealex** · 31st Dec 11, 17:16

Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

I think Eskelinen will continue with his Evo10. Jukka Korhonen also most likely with Evo...

1 maybe right, 1 totally wrong

**Juha_Koo** · 31st Dec 11, 18:15

Originally Posted by pantealex

1 maybe right, 1 totally wrong

Interesting to see what Eskelinen will do then...

**HarriK** · 2nd Jan 12, 09:30

And last day of the Riihimäki Rall entry is on it's way. ...

some notes for previous messages:
Korhonen Jukka NilUA Korhonen Mikael EspooUATeam Mitsubishi Ralliart Finland Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX (Printsport car i think so)
Eskelinen Mikko JyvUA Kapanen Arto PetUA Printsport Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

**pantealex** · 2nd Jan 12, 12:07

I heard first time about month ago and about 10 times after that, last time yesterday:
AKK (Finlands motorsport federation) has rented 2 Subarus from TMR (Tommi Mäkinen Racing)
AKK academy has 3 drivers: Jukka Korhonen, Esa-Pekka Lappi and Mikko Pajunen
Lappi got Fiesta S2000 from Norway, so everybody says Korhonen and Pajunen will drive TMR Subarus, but now Korhonen is in with Ralliart Finland E9.
So, who will drive TMR Subaru? Pajunen and ?
Because when Lindroos was asking Subaru, TMR says they have no cars available, all cars rented.

**Hartusvuori** · 2nd Jan 12, 12:48

Pajunen is now entered in TMR Impreza R4. Also Jukka Hiltunen in Fabia S2000.

Is Saku Vierimaa the returning champion or someone else...?

**HarriK** · 2nd Jan 12, 14:52

Originally Posted by pantealex

I heard first time about month ago and about 10 times after that, last time yesterday:
AKK (Finlands motorsport federation) has rented 2 Subarus from TMR (Tommi Mäkinen Racing)

I think that this AKK-case is not anymore up to date, AKK won't rent any car.