Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen claimed back-to-back victories at home on the 75th edition of Rally Finland, the tenth round of the World Rally Championship to head a Toyota Gazoo Racing one-two-three result.
The Finn, who inherited first place on Saturday afternoon after Sebastien Ogier crashed out while holding a 20 second lead, took a Super Sunday cruise through the final two stages to ensure a home win and become the 37th Finn to win at home – and the 14th different home driver – and the 200th Finn to win a round of the WRC.
“It feels simply amazing. I don’t know what to say. It was a big thing to take first win in Estonia but a home win is always something special. Winning at home has not been so easy for the Finns but after one really crazy rally we made it. A big thanks to the team and to all of the fans for the support, which is simply amazing. I guess it is more special to win at home. This one was more tough and more intense,” said an elated Pajari.
Oliver Solberg and Elliot Edmondson won the day’s opening stage on the way to second overall despite suffering back pain after a heavy landing after a jump. A quick visit to the medics for painkillers saw him tie the Wolf Power Stage with Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin with the five bonus points going to the championship leader by two hundredths of a second.
Evans’ third place was a remarkable recovery from his triple roll on Saturday. “It was a surreal set of circumstances,” Evans reflected. “More than anything, we owe thanks to the guys who fixed the car yesterday lunchtime. We always know we can depend on those guys.”
Fourmaux, Neuville and Pajari scooped up the remaining Wolf Power Stage points.
Solberg topped the Super Sunday standings from Evans, Fourmaux, Neuville and Pajari.
Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria top-scored for Hyundai WRT after a bumble bee inside his car thwarted their challenge in the opening stage.
Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe brought their i20 N home in fifth place after Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston hit a tree in the final stage and limped home in sixth place overall with significant front-end damage to their GR Yaris
Josh McErlean and Eoin Tracy had a steady run to finish seventh for M-Sport Ford, followed by Jari-Matti Latvala – the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal and Juha Hanninen, who were the fastest WRC2 crew but not nominated to score points, leaving victory to Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo who claimed their fourth WRC2 victory from four starts.
Teemu Suninen was handed a 3-second penalty that cost the Finn a home victory.
Evans’ championship lead has extended to 30 points with Pajari now in second while Katsuta dropped to third on the title leaderboard.
Ready the full story in Motorsport Monday tomorrow
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