NEWS



Matti Rantanen took victory in his first-ever tarmac rally



For Finns there were very unfamilar sight on the podium in third round of British Rally Championship as Flying Finn Matti Rantanen took FWD cars victory in Scotish Jim Clark Memorial Rally which was driven on tarmac surface. For Rantanen Jim Clark Memorial Rally was his first-ever tarmac event.

British Mark Higgins with his 4WD turbocharged Subaru Impreza WRX STi was fastest. Rantanen took eight position in overall classifications and joyful 2WD victory with his Renault Clio Ragnotti.

Finn was eventually 33 seconds faster than irish Citroen driver Martin McCormack. Third was british Tom Walster who finished the rally 1 minute and 4 seconds slower than Rantanen.

- After misfortunate season start this result was excellent push-up for our whole team. One of my goals was to show my pace on tarmac and I think that goal was fullfilled. On gravel we've been fastest in two previous rounds before having difficulties. Also our first position on tarmac was a big surprise for local tarmac specialists, Rantanen told.



Troublefree event



In Scotland Rantanen was co-driven by Mikko Markkula, who is better known as co-driver for Skoda Manufacturer team driver Juho Hänninen. Duo lead the event from first stage to finish.

- Our rally car, Renault Clio Ragnotti worked like a clock and we tried to rally without any risks. However there were few close calls, which ofcourse are part of rally sport. We mainly used slick tyres but in few rainy stages we drove with wet tarmac tyres, Rantanen reported.

- From Jim Clark Memorial Rally I gained lots of valuable experience in rallying on tarmac surface. As there were driven 17 special stages and 235 special stage kilometres the experience I gained was huge, Rantanen continued.

- It is always very nice to win, which was our goal. I'm very glad that we managed to gain it even I don't have lots of experience in rallying on tarmac surface. I had no trouble working with professional co-driver Mikko Markkula, who did his post without any mistakes, shared Rantanen thanks to his co-driver.






www.mattirantanen.net

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