Finnish rallying championship news

Very sensible drive from Lappi. No mistakes and 5th Fiesta S2000 win in the row (4 FRC events and 1 national).

Somehow disappointed, because Nikara was the star of the show and would have deserved the win. Driving the old evo 9 to the limit and he lost at least 3-5 seconds, because he had to slow down on the SS 2 (I saw the situation), when Vihavainen´s Evo 10 was out of the road and the back of the car was on the road. It was only possible to overtake the car driving slowly. Nikara´s aim in this event was to test Yokohama´s new gravel tyres, but the delivery was late from GB to Finland and he had to use his last season´s Pirellis and had only three new tires for this rally...

Salo had nothing chances against Nikara or Lappi. What a pity that Pajunen rolled already on the SS 1. It was sunny and dusty day in the western Finland and really great to see also JML behind the wheel of the Escort RS 1800..!

Pictures:
POPPankki-ralli 9.6.12

and more pictures and also videos (maybe much more is coming..):
Ralli.net - POPPankki SM-Ralli 8.-9.6.2012 Lapuan UA, kuvat ja videot - Ralli.net

21 year old Frenchman Steven Bossard had a tough day at work learning Mäkinen's Subaru and the Finnish fast gravel road.
He's usually competing in the Junior and Twingo R1 championships in France.

Onboard from Pajunen's crash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlrLJHAkX7A

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

Onboard from Pajunen's crash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlrLJHAkX7A

---

mistake at right corner and at next corner(right too) went wide and rolled ...strange.Car was ok? Maybe flat tyre(rear left) from first right corner he went wide and bit out of road?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dimviii

mistake at right corner and at next corner(right too) went wide and rolled ...strange.Car was ok? Maybe flat tyre(rear left) from first right corner he went wide and bit out of road?

---

Car was okay, just a bit too much speed and slippery surface. In the close call at 5:50 they had "Medium right minus gradual, bale inside" and Pajunen says to take the "gradual" off from the notes. Gradual is not a good word to describe the Finnish word used in the notes, but it means an opposite of "tight".

Then in the crash corner they have "medium right plus, camber" and MP says "[Change] This to medium!" but unfortunately the rear gets a bit too deep. Taking the positives, atleast he is trying hard...which is a very good thing.

My video from Lapua, contrast in locations: high speed from SS1 and very tight junction from SS3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9tk9iDIpM

Juha_Koo you got PM.

POPPankki SM-Ralli, Lapua/Finland 9.6.2012. Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, SS 4 Incar:
Lapua SM Ralli 2012 EK4 J.Nikara - P.Nikara - YouTube

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fly

21 year old Frenchman Steven Bossard had a tough day at work learning Mäkinen's Subaru and the Finnish fast gravel road.
He's usually competing in the Junior and Twingo R1 championships in France.

---

He was European Rallycross Champion in S1600 Class ;) Interesting to see him with Mäkinen Racing ... Does it mean something about races with Mäkinen Racing's Subaru ?

Mattias Therman entered next FRC event in Kouvola in Printsport-run Fiesta S2000.