Grönholm and his co-driver Samu Vaaleri’s two previous Finnish Championship rallies in Kouvola and Lahti ended in retirements. For the final round of the season this weekend in Seinäjoki, Grönholm starts from fifth place in the championship standings.
“Let’s hope that the bad luck ends in the season’s final rally and that I can drive a clean race and finish the year with a good feeling. In the last two Finnish Championship rallies I was already able to set fastest times, and in order to consistently fight for stage wins, I still need more routine for that”, Grönholm sums up.
“We’ll try to get a good result in Seinäjoki. The top of the SM1 class is tough: (Esapekka) Lappi and (Tuukka) Kauppinen are fighting for the championship, (Teemu) Asunmaa is there again, as well as the fresh SM2 class champion (Patrick) Enok. In Seinäjoki the pace will definitely be high, and you really have to drive fast yourself if you want to be in the top five”, Grönholm continues.
The fresh World Rallycross Championship silver medallist says that from now on he intends to focus on rallying more than ever before.
“Of course, I’ll keep all opportunities open with next year in mind, but it now strongly looks like I’ll continue in rallying with the development I’ve gained for myself this year. It would be a bit stupid to waste my current investment in rallying,” Grönholm says.
“I especially want to focus on those small details for which in the past there hasn’t been time or even a chance to carry them out. To succeed even better, rallying requires a lot of work and concentration also between the events, such as pace note practice and testing.”
Grönholm and Vaaleri will carry out one preparatory test before Seinäjoki on Thursday.
“Because of the World Rallycross Championship, which ended last Sunday in Turkey, I haven’t been able to prepare for the upcoming rally in the same way as our competitors, but on Thursday we’ll do some testing with the Skoda and listen to the pace notes again after a long time. I believe everything will be in order for the rally ahead,” Grönholm concludes.
