Pajari bids to extend WRC3 advantage

Pajari, like several other drivers, is competing for WRC3 honours alongside his FIA Junior WRC campaign. He tops an all-M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 entry with Enni Mälkönen in the right-hand seat. 

The Finn clinched victory at the season opener in Monte-Carlo, but could only muster fourth in class when fuel pump troubles set him back in Sweden. Nevertheless, he leads the championship by 12 points over Lauri Joona, who will not count points on this round. 

Pajari contested the Croatia Rally as part of the Junior WRC series last year and set some impressive stage times despite rolling early in the event. That knowledge could prove pivotal if the forecasted rain starts to pour on the asphalt speed tests.  

“I think it will be quite interesting because now we have the experience of the rally, and we are using a lot of the same stages as last year,” mused the 20-year-old.   

“To be honest, I really enjoyed the rally last year and the stages are quite fast and flowing. The only question mark for me is if it will rain, which we don’t know yet,” he added. 

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy youngster William Creighton is eyeing a maiden victory after finishing runner-up to Joona in Sweden, with experienced Italian Enrico Brazzolli plus Zoltán Lászlo also featuring on the entry list. 

Local star Ivica Siladić will also be one to watch, while Kenyan hotshot Mcrae Kimathi rounds off the entry. 

• Full coverage from the Croatia Rally will be available on WRC+ All Live here, including every stage broadcast as it happens as well as key interviews, features and expert analysis from the service park.