Co-driver: Miikka Anttila

I think Australia is the best competition in the world championships series what comes to both the special stages and the organising of the rally. Unfortunately this is the last time Australia is in the series. The race started well and we were able to keep almost the same speed as the leaders although we could not drive any of the fastest times. On Friday evening the last two stages were difficult to drive fast because of the dust and the gap to the leader got quite big. Friday’s dramatic turn was when Chris Atkinson’s car burst into flames and we had to lend him a fire extinguisher which is why we got two compensated stage times. On Saturday my speed improved on the famous Bannister stages (jumps). In the evening we even managed to drive the fastest time once and now we were second in group N, only 27 seconds behind Ligato who was leading. On Sunday morning I tried to attack but that was a wrong choice. I hit the bank and broke my rear suspension. Luckily we were able to change it after the stage. Ligato had to retire in the next service due to a broken engine. The next two stages I drove as fast as I could having Aki Teiskonen breathing to my neck. Unfortunately he drove off the road and had to retire. I eased my driving and for the first time I was able to win a world championships round in group N. We were 6th overall.

Group N 1st, Overall 6th

Subaru Impreza WRX Sti 06
Service Team: Motoring Club
Competition engineer: Asko Kosonen