Leaders after first day Georg Gross and Raigo Mõlder struggled being first in the road in the morning. Karl Kruuda and Martin Järveoja (Ford Fiesta R5) used the advantage being forth in the road and won two first stages on Saturday. But it was Gross who made one strongest coffee in the first service and won next three stages. This meant for him and his co-driver Raigo Mõlder victory in this years auto24 Rally Estonia and of course traditional trophy, winner helmet, which is specially designed by Tribilia Design and was presented to Georg Gross by Mr. Ari Vatanen, president of Estonian Autosport Union and autorally World Champion.
Georg Gross: „We are happy, whole weekend everything was working well. Ott Tänak and OT Racing team did a good job car was working well. Saturday morning the rhythm wasn’t the best one but we managed to get ourselves together. This is for us very important and special victory.”
Kruuda and Järveoja who did won the first two stages showed some very good pace also in next stages and they passed on penultimate stage Alexey Lukjanuk and Alexey Arnautov (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9). Kruuda and Järveoja made a history as second place in auto24 Rally Estonia was first podium for brand new Ford Fiesta R5. Gap between them and Lukjanuk was just 2,4 seconds.
In 2WD class Junior WRC regulars Sander Pärn and Ken Järveoja were fastest as gap between them and second place crew Rainer and Rauno Rohtmets was almost two minutes. In National class winners were Ago and Kalle Aho with BMW M3.
auto24 was also round of FIA European Historic Championship and everyone’s eyes were on Jari-Matti Latvala and Audi Quattro. Unfortunately Jari-Matti and his co-driver Asko Sairanen lost time when they broke a gear lever of Audi.
Jari-Matti Latvala: „When the gear lever was broken we were on neutral. So it took some time to find the way to put third gear in. Then we managed to put the gear in and continued. But it was good fun to drive this car here. I like those fast roads and jumps. We have to come back next year.”
Fastest in Historics were Ville Silvasti and Jonne Haltunen driving Porsche 911 RS. They were also winners of Category 2. Category 1 winers were Pasi Koskinen ja Jouni Niutanen (Ford Escort GT 1300), Categrory 3 Mika Turkki ja Timo Hantunen (Opel Ascona 400) and Category 4 Valter Jensen ning Erik Pedersen (Lancia 037).
Full results: www.rallyestonia.com
