Ketomaa consolidates in Finland

20th February 2017

A second place in the FIA Baltic Trophy was consolidation for Jari Ketomaa and co-driver Mikael Korhonen on this weekend’s Vaakuna Rally.

Following a second-place overall on the Mikkeli-based event last year and with a considerable amount of development work carried out between now and then, the scene was set for another podium finish in the Finnish Rally Championship qualifier. However, fuel feed issues from the second of the event’s nine stages on Friday evening, was to hamper the Mitsubishi’s progress.

After working on the car at the end-of-day service halt, the team thought they had fixed the problem, but as soon as Jari and Mikael reached the faster sections, it was clear that the power from the engine was not what it should have been.

Before the end of the day, the team were able to get the car running again and, although a front-running pace was achievable, there was little point in taking risks now the chance of a top result had been denied.

“It was very frustrating not to have been able to show what the Mitsubishi is capable of”, said Jari. “Compared to our times on this event last year, we were far quicker with the power delivery would allow it. Therefore, without the issues, I know we could have challenged for another podium finish, even with the increased competition this year.

“Tomas and the MPart team have done a fantastic job with this car and it’s only bad luck that has stopped us from proving that. I’m pleased to say that I shall be driving it again later this year and we will be announcing our plans in the next couple of weeks.”

ENDS

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Photos courtesy Jarno Saari