In an impressive showcase of skill, Tuukka Kauppinen clinched his first-ever Finnish Rally Championship victory at the Arctic Lapland Rally, which concluded this past Saturday in Rovaniemi. Driving alongside co-driver Sebastian Virtanen, Kauppinen, only 18 years old, displayed a maturity beyond his years in what was just his second outing in the championship’s top category.
The rally was marked by dramatic turns, including a significant error by seasoned competitor Esapekka Lappi, who, after returning from the World Rally Championship (WRC), slid into a snowbank during the crucial Sarriojärvi stage on Saturday morning. This mistake cost him a full 30 seconds, ultimately placing him behind Kauppinen in the standings by nearly half a minute.
Despite battling flu symptoms at the rally’s start, Kauppinen’s performance did not falter. “It was a great rally. Friday morning was a bit tricky, but we managed to pull ourselves together and found a good rhythm,” Kauppinen shared in an interview with FlyingFinnTV. His victory was not just a testament to his driving prowess but also highlighted the capability of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car, which he praised for its perfect fit to his driving style. “I haven’t done that many kilometres in this car, but it just suits me perfectly,” he remarked.
This win not only earned Kauppinen the traditional reindeer antlers trophy but also the title of the youngest winner in the history of the legendary Arctic Lapland Rally. His winning margin over fellow Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 driver Kalle Rovanperä, who was testing new Hankook studded tyres, was a notable 11.5 seconds. Rovanperä, despite not competing for the overall Finnish Championship victory, found the conditions challenging. “With these tyres, you have to drive incredibly slowly, and even then, there were some big moments,” he commented on the demanding snowy stages.
The rally also saw strong performances from other competitors. Roope Korhonen and Teemu Asunmaa secured third and fourth places, respectively, in the SM1 class, while Niclas Grönholm took fifth. Mikko Eskelinen and Jari-Matti Latvala, driving a historic-class Toyota, faced mechanical challenges but managed respectable finishes.
Kauppinen’s next challenge will be the Rally Sweden in the WRC2 category, followed by the continuation of the Finnish Rally Championship in early March at Savonlinna. With his sights set firmly on victory, Kauppinen remains optimistic about his future performances. “We’ll take in all the kilometres we can in Sweden and learn a bit more about the new tyres. But of course, we’re heading to Savonlinna to win,” he confidently stated.
As the Finnish Rally Championship prepares for its next round, competitors like Lappi are reflecting on the experience with positivity. “We had fun and laughed a lot in the car. I didn’t get the win, but Tuukka drove so well that I’m proud of him,” Lappi expressed, underscoring the camaraderie and sportsmanship evident throughout the event.
Rautio Motorsport celebrated an overall successful weekend, with their drivers demonstrating both the competitive spirit and the technical prowess necessary to conquer the challenging conditions of the Arctic Lapland Rally. As the winter season rounds out and the summer stages approach, all eyes will be on these talented drivers as they continue to push the limits of rallying.
Overall Arctic Lapland Rally Results
01: T. Kauppinen/S. Virtanen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – 1h 52m 16.4s
02: K. Rovanperä/J. Hulttonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) + 11.5s
03: E. Lappi/E. Malkonen (Skofa Fabia Rally2 Evo) + 38.1s
04: R. Korhonen/A. Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) + 1m 11.0s
05: T. Asunmaa/J. Ferme (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 1m 37.9s
06: N. Gronholm/A. Linnaketo (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 3m 59.4s
07: M. Eskelinen/A. Kapanen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) + 4m 41.8s
08: J-M. Latvala/J Hussi (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD ST185) + 5m 08.6s
09: P. Enok/S. Simm (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 5m 34.2s
10: V. Vatanen/J. Ottman (Renault Clio Rally3) + 5m 40.6s