From Subaru Group-N: Ketomma win’s the last round in Finland, however due to previous commitments earlier in the season, they were not able to clinch the season win (PDF) — which goes to Juha Salo (Mitsubishi Lancer).

In seventh and final round of the 2008 Finnish Rally Championship season, SM Vaakuna-Ralli was held around Mikkeli, there was three car entry for Subaru Dealer Team Finland. Jari Ketomaa was defending his victory from last year and this time his only target was to get another victory from his home town’s rally event. With team regular drivers Ketomaa and Teemu Arminen there was also entry for team test driver Juuso Pykalisto, who has run many tests with Tommi Makinen Racing during this autumn.

Ketomaa started the event superbly and he took the lead but gap to second placed driver was only 1,5 seconds after three stages.

“It was really tight battle on the opening stages. I did too long jump over crest on the first stage and because of that right rear wheel was bent a little bit. It was properly fixed only on service at half point of the rally” Ketomaa informed. ” I was really driving maximum what I could and my lead was 12 seconds before the last stage. There I could ease my speed a bit. It was great way to finish this season here in Finland. At the end of the year I still have two World rallies in my calendar.”

Due to commitment of P-WRC campaing, after missing one round Ketomaa was not able to secure another Finnish title even if he won three rounds. Juha Salo who finished second in Mikkeli (+9,1 seconds) did clinch the Finnish championship with 90 points. Kosti Katajamaki was third in the rally (+23,6 seconds) and finished second in series with 83 poins. Ketomaa was third in series with 82 points.

Teemu Arminen was again driving for top result. Eventually he finished fifth place after some small mistakes. Arminen did score 28 poins and he was seventh in the championship.

“I did not have so many good events this year. We had some unlucky rallies for example we were leading the third round, but we went off the road. Next year my target is to reach the level of leading drivers” Arminen told.

Juuso Pykalisto’s speed was growing during the event. He admitted that after being two years absence from rallies it was not easy to reach competitive level. Tommi Makinen Racing could be happy for overall standings after Pykalisto finished sixth place in Mikkeli.

Photos ©Jarno Saari (TMR) and Marko Mäkinen

Source: Subaru Group-N News

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