The fast-paced gravel competition served as a good test event ahead of next week’s Rally Finland. This is why the starting line-up included, among others, Toyota’s factory team driver Elfyn Evans with a Rally1 car.
Evans unsurprisingly set the fastest pace, as this time there were no other Rally1 cars in the rally. Evans set the fastest time on every special stage and had a two-and-a-half-minute lead over WRC2 regular Lauri Joona after the final stage.
At the finish line an unusual episode unfolded. Evans did not drive to the final time control at all but went straight to service, resulting in him being marked as retired.
Thus, the victory went to Joona and his co-driver Janni Hussi.
“It was a fine gesture from Evans to give us the win,” Joona thanked at the award ceremony.
After the tactical retirement, Evans did not need to stay for the award ceremony, which was held an hour after the Welshman arrived at service.
According to Evans, who is third in the World Rally Championship standings, the test event was important for him ahead of Rally Finland, which he won last year.
“It’s such a specific event. So if you get any mileage, then it always helps.”
“The conditions here are quite unique; it’s quite a hard base. At least it’s a bit more similar to Saturday at Rally Finland. So good to get some mileage in this scenario. And we’ve been trying a few things in the car,” Evans told RallyJournal.com.
Skoda driver Joona ultimately took the top spot by 37.1 seconds over Toyota driver Roope Korhonen, who, like Joona, competes for WRC2 class points in his home rally. Swedish rally hopeful Isak Reiersen finished third (+52.5), leaving behind Juhana Raitanen and Spaniard Jan Solans.
