Sublime Suninen Storms to WRC2 Success

It was a case of third time lucky for the Finnish star, whop came close to glory in Portugal and Finland but was denied on both occasions at the final hour.

There was no denying Suninen this time around, however, as he led the premier support category virtually from start to finish, clinching his first triumph of the season aboard a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. 

Suninen started Sunday’s four-stage finale 26.6sec clear of second-placed Yohan Rossel. He was in no mood to compromise, either, and further extended that advantage to head the Citroën C3 Rally2 driver by 32.5sec at close of play. 

“It was a great weekend,” he said. “Thanks to the team for preparing a brilliant car and also to Mikko (Markkula) for his great co-driving.”

Nikolay Gryazin was unable to make any major gains on Rossel and eventually settled for third, 20.8sec down on the Frenchman in his Škoda Fabia Rally2. He had 39.3sec in hand over Emil Lindholm’s similar car, while Jari Huttunen ended fifth in a Ford Fiesta. 

Kajetan Kajetanowicz completed the top six, ensuring that the fight for the title will go down to the wire at next month’s FORUM8 Rally Japan. He and Lindholm are split by just three points going into the season finale. 

In WRC2 Junior, Sami Pajari took victory while Josh McErlean’s partner James Fulton secured the co-drivers’ championship crown. Armin Kremer was victorious in the WRC2 Masters Cup and remains in the lead of the series.