2005 February

Vaakuna rally, Mikkeli, Finland 18-19.2.2005

Co-driver Teppo Leino.

Originally my father supposed to drive this rally, but he said I would benefit much more driving this rally than he would. SS1 went really bad, because I didn´t find rhythm. Then we made some adjustements and after that everything started to work and so stage times improved. The rest of the day was ok. Maybe I drove too much sideways because in the end there was quite big gab between us and the lead.

I was not quite satisfied to fourth place but now I know what to improve in my driving. We´ll see in future how that goes.

4th overall, Class 4th

Toyota Corolla WRC
Service team Latvala Motorsport Oy.
Rally engineer Asko Kosonen

Rally Sweden, Karlstad 11-13.2.2005

Co-driver Miikka Anttila.

With steady drive rally started well, until on SS3 I hit a stone when I followed the lines of “the big boys”. Schock absorber broke and rim went to pieces. I had to change the tyre. Changing did not go as planned because jack fell down. Finally we spend time 5,5 minutes. At finish we were comforted with the knowledge that six other WRC drivers had hit to the same stone. The rest of Friday and Saturday we drove steadily, but yet to get good stage times. We got some slow times too on the last stage before service because studs always came off.

On Sunday there was some very nice stages ahead and I managed to do some good times. On new stage we were even 10th fastest. I was content.

16th overall, class 15th

Toyota Corolla WRC
Service team Latvala Motorsport Oy.