The Finnish Rallycross Championship went to Hyvinkää for Round 2 of the strength gaining series and saw Honda Civic campaigner Aki Karttunen winning from Ford Fiesta youngster Niclas Grönholm.
© by Toni Ollikainen & Eddi Laumanns
While the events of the Finnish Rallycross Championship are usually held on Saturdays this year’s second round was done on Sunday, June 7, at the Hyvinkään Rallicrossrata. The weather was fine and the sun shone most of the day. Only during the afternoon there was a little bit of rain, but not enough to produce what is called a ‘wet track’ in Rallycross. However, it was very windy at Hyvinkää and this rose a serious dust problem with the extra dry loose surface sections.
After missing out Round 1 due to engine problems Karttunen has made himself one of the title favourites. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
Janne Kanerva (Citroën C4) and youngster Niclas Grönholm (Ford Fiesta Mk7) battle it out. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
One of the favourites, Ari Perkiömäki, had to call it a day early when the clutch-shaft of his all-new Ford Fiesta Mk7 broke already in Heat 1. Aki Karttunen was the man to watch out for now, the Honda Civic Mk8 campaigner claimed the fastest times of Heat 1 and Heat 2 to safe himself the pole position for the all decisive A Final. In Heat 3, when Karttunen did a calm run and finished 11th, it was Niclas Grönholm who made the fastest qualification time of the day his.
Multiple Finnish Rallycross Champion Atro Määttä drove his Ford Fiesta Mk7 to fifth place. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
The Hyvinkää podium with (from left) runner-up Niclas Grönholm, winner Aki Karttunen and third Janne Kanerva. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
Starting from the first row of the grid Karttunen and Grönholm battled the last race of the day out, but it was the Honda driver who eventually crossed the finish line as winner. “My tactic was pretty simple,” said Karttunen later. “Being in front I’ll wait till Niclas is doing his Joker Lap. As he is a pretty quick guy I then play my own Joker immediately in the next lap, to be able to stay ahead on my way to the flag.”
Mikko Malinen debuted his all-new 500+bhp and 600+Nm strong VW up! SuperCar in Hyvinkää. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
Local Rallysprint regular Klaus Kostiainen drove the ex-Mika Trogen Škoda Fabia to 9th place. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24
- Round 2, Finnish Rallycross Championship 2015, Hyvinkää (FIN), June 7
- FINAL RESULTS SUPERCARS:
- 1. Aki Karttunen (FIN) Honda Civic Mk8
- 2. Niclas Grönholm (FIN) Ford Fiesta Mk7
- 3. Janne Kanerva (FIN) Citroën C4
- 4. Jukka Lautamäki (FIN) Ford Focus Mk1
- 5. Atro Määttä (FIN) Ford Fiesta Mk7
- 6. Mika Liinamaa (FIN) Škoda Fabia Mk2
Top photo: Aki Karttunen and his Honda Civic Mk8 were ruling the day at Hyvinkää. © Toni Ollikainen/ERC24