16.6.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen continues in silver position at Finnish Rally Championship series Master Cup after FRC Pohjanmaa Rally
Three weeks ago in 4th round of Finnish Rally Championship series, which was driven in region of Turku, Flying Finn Mikko Eskelinen
experienced his first-ever roll in his 17 years of rally career. Now in 5th round of the series, which was driven in region of Seinäjoki, he and his co-driver Arto Kapanen was able to finish the event in 8th position of FRC1-group. Skoda Fabia R5 EVO drivers continues in silver position at Masters Cup series as there are still two rounds to be driven.
- Fridays Super Special stage went very well. However next five stages I was too carefull especially on narrow roads. On final three stages I was able to increase my speed to the same level it has been on previous events. For mentally it was a big thing for me to finish the rally and even I went straight in one junction, I'm happy for the 8th position as the fixed car and the Dynamo Team worked without a problem, Eskelinen tells.
- Finnish Rally Championship standings looks like that the drive for medal positions is over for us as Championship leader Roope Korhonen, silver position driver Teemu Asunmaa and bronze position driver Benjamin Korhola is in control. Also as Masters Cup victory is going to Reijo Muhonen I need to think that shall I continue driving with Skoda Fabia R5 EVO in next round or shall I compete with Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the group victory. Ofcourse there is also a choice that we'll continue rallying in season 2025 edition of Arctic Lapland Rally, Eskelinen shares his thoughts.
Winner of FRC Pohjanmaa rally was Teemu Asunmaa who with his co-driver Ville Mannisenmäki drove nine special stages and 127 special stage kilometres 8,4 seconds faster than Championship leader Roope Korhonen.
Final results FRC Pohjanmaa Rally 14th - 15th June 2024, FRC1-group, Top-3: 1. Teemu Asunmaa & Ville Mannisenmäki, Skoda Fabia RS, 1:02:20,1
2. Roope Korhonen & Anssi Viinikka, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +8,4s
3. Benjamin Korhola & Sebastian Virtanen, Hyundai i20, +24,7s
--- 8. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, +3:19,0s
Finnish Rally Championship standings 2024 (5/7 rounds): SM1-group, top-3:
1. Roope Korhonen, Skoda Fabia/Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 88p
2. Teemu Asunmaa, Skoda Fabia RS, 75p
3. Benjamin Korhola, Hyundai i20, 74p
--- 7. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 36p
Finnish Rally Masters Cup standings 2024: 5/7 rounds: top-5: 1. Reijo Muhonen, BMW M3, 51p 2. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 35p
3. Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia R5, 32p
4. Arto Juolahti, Mitsubishi Lancer E10, 23p
5. Ville Ruokanen, Ford Fiesta Rally3, 23p
26.5.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen experienced first-ever roll in FRC Mad-Croc Länsirannikko Rally - Retirement from 5th position in a corner which was modified by spectators
17-years ago Flying Grandpa Mikko Eskelinen, age of 51, drove his first-ever Finnish Rally Championship event and now in final weekend of May he and his co-driver Arto Kapanen, age of 60, retired due crash in 3rd special stage of 4th Finnish Rally Championship round which was driven in region of Turku.
The third 18,6 special stage kilometre
special stage included lots of drama as Championship leader and reigning WRC3 World Champion Roope Korhonen crashed out just 400 metres before a corner which was modified by spectators who wanted to see drivers going off by cutting the bushes on outside corner. Even the competition jury had already given drivers a notification about the corner, two FRC1-group top drivers crashed their cars because if this spectators deception.
- After two Fridays special stages we were in good pace and our aim was to improve the speed for Saturdays stages. Before third stage we got the notification for spectators actions in the stage but it didn't help as we entered the corner with wrong speed and wrong line. We went off and the car rolled. Fortunately crew wasn't hurt, Eskelinen commeted his first-ever roll.
- If the scenery would have been same in the recce I would have done another kind of pace note for the corner. Now was the scenery had changed by spectators we entered the corner with wrong speed and line. I really hope that Finnish ASN will do something about this because this spectators action has to be stop, Eskelinen continues.
Winner of FRC Mad-Croc Länsirannikko Rally
was multiple Finnish Rally Champion Teemu Asunmaa who eventually was 51,7 seconds faster than silver position driver Niklas Grönholm. Even Korhonen enountered a heavy impact with his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, he's still leading the series by 11 points. Next round is to be driven in the middle of June at region of Seinäjoki.
- Even Dynamo Team is able to fix the car for the next round we need to make a decision to continue competing in Finnish Rally Championship series. Because of retirement we practically have lost medal positions and therefore there would not be anything to drive for. Furthermore I want to see what kind of action does Finnish ASN take to make sure that spectators doesn't modify the route or scenery or is it just OK that spectators can make modifications for the route the rally organizers have planned, Eskelinen shared his thoughts.
Final results FRC Mad-Croc Länsirannikko Rally 24th-25th May 2024: FRC1-group, top-3:
1. Teemu Asunmaa & Ville Mannisenmäki Ville, Skoda Fabia RS, 43:03,5
2. Niclas Grönholm & Samu Vaaleri, Skoda Fabia RS, +51,7s
3. Anssi Rytkönen & Mikael Korhonen, Skoda Fabia R5, +2:12,4s
--- ret. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, crash SS3
Finnish Rally Championship standings 2024 (4/7 rounds), FRC1-group, top-3:
1. Roope Korhonen, Skoda Fabia/Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 70p
2. Benjamin Korhola, Hyundai i20, 59p
3. Anssi Rytkönen, Skoda Fabia R5, 53p
--- 8. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 29p
Masters Cup standings 2024 (4/7 events): top-5:
1. Reijo Muhonen, BMW M3, 45p 2. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 28p
3. Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia R5, 27p
4. Arto Juolahti, Mitsubishi Lancer E10, 23p
5. Ville Ruokanen, Ford Fiesta Rally3, 23p
10.3.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen and Arto Kapanen had a nostalgic rally in Tuuri - Co-driver started his career in 38 years ago at the same stage which was also now driven
After three Finnish Rally Championship events Mikko Eskelinen is in silver position at Masters Cup standings.
In third round of the series, which was driven in region of Tuuri, the Flying Finn collect sixth highest FRC1-group Championship points. Even the seven stages and altogether 94,9 special stage kilometres were in excellent conditions, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO drivers couldn't reach the desired pace. Therefore sixth position was a big dissapointment Dynamo Team drivers.
- A month ago in Arctic Lapland Rally we were able to increase our speed. However now we couldn't do the same and therefore we're not happy. It's frustrating to see that our fellow rivals have done improvement and we're not. Therefore sixth highest Championship points were far away from what our goals were, Eskelinen tells.
- Positive thing is that we had a very nostalgic trip. Before the event got underway we celebrated my co-drivers 38 years career as he started his job in the same stage which rally was also started this year. Then after cake and coffee we went to the same stage. In 38 years ago Kapanen competed with 1300cc Lada and now 1600cc Skoda. I felt very honoured and priviledged to make this time trip into season 1986 with a person who has been my co-driver for past 12 seasons, Eskelinen continues.
Winner of FRC Tuuri rally was reigning WRC3 World Champion Roope Korhonen. He leads the series by 34 points for Benjamin Korhola and 27 points margin to multiple Finnish Rally Champion Teemu Asunmaa. However after the rally Asunmaa was disqualified because of too light rally car.
- Because in Masters Cup the series leader Reijo Muhonen collect 7th highest Championship points we rised into silver position in overall standings. In next rally, which is to be driven in final weekend of May, there will be lots of stake also in FRC1-group. Furthermore I'm aiming to compete a tarmac rally in Spain later this season, Eskelinen shared his plans.
Final results FRC Tuuri Rally, Alavus 8th-9th March 2024: SM1-group, top-3:
1. Roope Korhonen & Anssi Viinikka, Toyota Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 48:24,2
2. Teemu Asunmaa & Ville Mannisenmäki, Skoda Fabia RS, +23,0s *
3. Niclas Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen, Skoda Fabia RS, +42,0s
--- 9. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, +2:59,8s
Finnish Rally Championship standings 2024: 3/7 events, SM1-group, Top-3:
1. Roope Korhonen, Skoda Fabia RS, 70p
2. Benjamin Korhola, Hyundai i20, 46p
3. Teemu Asunmaa, Skoda Fabia RS, 43p
--- 7. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 28p
Masters Cup standings 2024: 3/7 events: top-5:
1. Reijo Muhonen, BMW M3, 39p 2. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 28p
3. Arto Juolahti, Mitsubishi Lancer E10, 23p
4. Ville Ruokanen, Ford Fiesta Rally3, 23p
5. Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia R5, 19p
Pictures from the rally:
Pictures from Pre-Rally Tests, Jyväskylä (Moksi)
5.2.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen and co-driver Arto Kapanen had one of the best drive in Arctic Rally - 11th position in overall standings among WRC2 rally drivers was excellent result
In season 2008 Flying Finn
Mikko Eskelinen, age of 51, drove his first-ever Arctic Lapland Rally. From season 2010 on he's been competing with co-driver Arto Kapanen and now in 59th Arctic Lapland Rally they drove one of their best performance in a rally which was filled with WRC2 rally drivers.
The
highly appreciated event included two days of intense rally action. In 12 tricky special stages and 200 special stage kilometres Skoda Fabia EVO drivers secured top-10 times and eventually collect nine Championship points. After two Finnish Rally Championship events Eskelinen and Kapanen are in sixth position in series standings and just 13 points behind silver position driver and Arctic Lapland Rally winner Mikko Heikkilä.
- After two events we've now 300 special stage kilometres more experienced with our Skoda Fabia EVO rally car.
Our speed has improved as Dynamo Team has made superb job with the car and developed my skills of competing with modern rally car which requires different type of driving than Ford Fiesta RS WRC. It has taken some time to adjust driving style but we'll get there, Eskelinen shares his thoughts.
- Season 2024 edition of Arctic Lapland Rally
was once again a very nice adventure for us. From start of the first stage to the end of 12th stage we were in better speed than in previous rally and therefore we could produce better vicibility for our sponsors and partners. Even we couldn't get into same speed as top WRC2 rally drivers, nine Championship points gives us lots of faith for the next round, Eskelinen continues.
Arctic Lapland Rally was won by season 2022 Finnish Rally Champion Mikko Heikkilä, who also delivered first-ever overall victory for Toyota Yaris Rally2 car.
In 200 special stage kilometres Heikkilä was 7,3 seconds faster than reigning Finnish Rally Champion Teemu Asunmaa.
Third and final winter Finnish Rally Championshiup event is to be driven in second weekend of March in region of Tuuri, central Finland.
Final results 59th Arctic Lapland Rally 2024: SM1-group, top-3:
1. Mikko Heikkilä & Kristian Temonen, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 1:41:02.8
2. Teemu Asunmaa & Ville Mannisenmäki, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, +7.3s
3. Roope Korhonen & Anssi Viinikka, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +35.7s
---- 10. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, +4:15.4s
Finnish Rally Chapionship standings 2024 (2/7 rounds): SM1-group, top-5:
1. Roope Korhonen, Skoda Fabia RS, 45p
2. Mikko Heikkilä, 34p
3. Benjamin Korhola, Hyundai i20, 34p
4. Anssi Rytkönen, Skoda Fabia R5, 26p
5. Teemu Asunmaa, 25p 6. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 21p
Masters Cup standings 2024: top-5: 1. Reijo Muhonen, BMW M3, 32p
2. Ville Ruokanen, Ford Fiesta Rally3, 23p 3. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 21p
4. Yrjö Martti, BMW M3, 16p
5. Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia R5, 15p
14.1.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen collect 4th highest Finnish Rally Championship points from the opening round - He's also leader of the new Masters Cup
Flying Finn Mikko Eskelinen, age of 51, is one of the most experienced rally driver in season 2024 edition of Finnish Rally Championship. In second weekend of January he and his long-term co-driver Arto Kapanen, age of 60,
collect promising result as they finished the event 4th fastest drivers in overall classifications. They also were fastest in new Masters Cup series and therefore heads as leaders in next round which is to be driven in Arctic Circle at first weekend of February.
- Before the event we drove our tests in much slower test stages and therefore first five special stages we tackled with braking points. We constantly brake too early and therefore the times were not as we expect. Then for the final four stages we improved our pace and collect one 3rd fastest special stage time as others were 4th and 5th fastest. It gave us lots of belief for the future, Eskelinen analyzed his race.
- Our strategy was purely just to avoid drama and getting to know our new Skoda Fabia R5 Evo rally car. Therefore we drove directly by the road and didn't touch snow banks. For the first stage to final ninth stage we were steadly in 5th position in overall classifications. However as our fellow rival Niclas Grönholm went out in final stage and was forced to retire after the finish we collect 4th position and 12 highly valuable Championship points, Eskelinen continues.
Winner of the fast-paced rally was reigning WRC3 World Champion Roope Korhonen who drove 9th special stages and 101 special stage kilometres more than a minute faster than reigning Finnish Rally Championship SM2-group Champion Benjamin Korhola. Eskelinen is leading the Masters Cup series which is nice bonus.
- Our goals for the season 2024 is to win medal in Finnish Rally Championship SM1-group and now ofcourse to secure victory in Masters Cup. I'm sure that our dear competitors like Ville Ruokanen, Kees Burner and Pasi Paakari will give us lots of challenge in forthcoming events. It's very nice to drive a rally series after many years of pause, rally-grand-pa Eskelinen thoughts.
Final results FRC Auto Sorsa Riihimäki rally, Sat 13th January 2024: Overall top-5:
1. Roope Korhonen & Anssi Viinikka, Skoda Fabia RS, 58:14,1
2. Benjamin Korhola & Sebastian Virtanen, Hyundai i20 R5, +1:05,7s
3. Anssi Rytkönen & Mikael Korhonen, Skoda Fabia R5, +1:56,1s 4. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, +3:13,1s
5. Henri Hokkala & Kimmo Pahkala, Ford Fiesta Rally3, +3:34,2s
