Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
For first three rainy and slippery stages we chose softer tyres, when other took harder ones. We set a benchmark of 30 seconds comparing to other Subarus. We drove the rest of the day sensibly and gab shrunk only little. This was the first time we won Subaru Cup round. Success felt really nice.
5th overall, Subaru Cup 1st
Car: Subaru WRX, four-wheel drive, group N.
Service team: Motoring Club
Engineer: Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
Two first stages went just in getting used to the car after driving group N. Cars new active diff settings seemed really nice. We fought really hard with Laukkanen in narrow roads. In the morning of second day gab was five seconds. We tried to claw back the deficit, but we slid off cause of a bad note. We lost 1,5 minutes and fell third. I drove good times in the end of the day, which brought me confidence after driving off.
3rd overall
Ford Focus WRC -01
Service team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
First day was very difficult, four punctures, from which one we had to change on the middle of stage. We lost eight minutes, when drive shaft broke. After first leg our placing was 33rd overall. Second day began with dust problems, but afternoon was clearer and better. We drove good times in the end of the day.
20th overall, Subaru Cup 3rd.
Car: Subaru WRX, four-wheel drive, group N.
Service team: Motoring Club
Engineer: Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
Pressures were enormous in start, because two previous contests in asphalt in Britain had ended to ditch. I started very cautiously, but I found my confidence and speed soon. We stayed in second place in slippery asphalt for a long time. On third last stage one Irish guy passed us by in times and we tried to catch him. But I didn´t do very well, I overshot a junction and engine stopped. I tried to start but I didn´t manage before I switched the main current off and on again. We lost 45 seconds and we were fourth. In finish I was disappointed but on the other hand I had learned again a lot.
4th overall
Ford Focus WRC -01
Service team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
Pressures were terrible after driving off the road on Isle of Man. My instructions were to bring car to finish line in one piece. On first day I drove carefully. On the beginning of second day antilag system started malfunctioning. It troubled us in small roads. On stage 16 (Moksi-Leustu) zylinder head gasket started leaking and engine was lacking of power. After the stage we had to get water from ditch with bottles. When we drove to next stage we got time penalty 1m 40s. We drove Vaheri without ALS. Before Sunday the leak was fixed but engine performance was still weak. We drove and enjoyed being as first car on road on last leg. Our placing was moderate, best newcomer.
14th overall
Ford Focus WRC -02
Service Team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
From Germany straight to Isle of Man. Tiredness affected in making of notes and that´s why there were small mistakes in notes. Tarmac roads were difficult and rough. I started carefully and then I speeded up. That continued on second day. I was second in overalls. I tried to narrow the deficit of 20s to first car. But I went off the road on SS15, partially because of slip in notebook.
retirement SS15
Ford Focus WRC -01
Service team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
My first World Rally Championship round on tarmac. The accident in Jim Clark was in my mind on first day and I drove really cautiously. On second day I got rid of my tension. My times were getting better even weather kept changing from wet to dry and back. I made only one mistake and I drove off. On third day at first service halt 10 s. we got time penalty, because we couldn´t decide what tyres to take soon enough. But day went well otherwise and I was in finish 17th overall. I lost 16th place by 6s due to time penalty.
17th overall
Ford Focus WRC -02
Service Team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Miikka Anttila.
My first rally in Finland. I had a good test with Corolla. I was really nervous before the rally. After first stage I could relax and I was feeling good about driving. In whole, not a single mistake. I drove steadily and I was pleased with the result.
4th overall
Toyota Corolla WRC 98, group A.
Service team JM Engineering.
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
Rally began poorly. On Friday SS2 I hit paving stone – puncture. Saturday was rainy and it was very slippery. Stages from three to five went well, only once engine stopped and I was 6th overall. It was my first time competing in tarmac in wet conditions in Britain. Stage 6 was really slippery. Because my minor experience and over trying I drove heavily off the road.
retirement SS6
Ford Focus WRC -01
Service team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
I drove very good but seven punctures and small off on last stage slowed me down. Yet good position in finish four fastest times out of 11.
3rd overall
Ford Focus WRC -01
Service team M-Sport
Rally engineer Esko Reiners