Yet another top driver is out of Secto Rally Finland on just the second day. That driver is championship leader Kalle Rovanperä.
What Happened?
On SS8 Kalle Rovanperä would roll his Toyota Yaris Rally1 after hitting a tree after taking a corner. This would force Rovanperä to retire from the event for at least the remainder of Day Two. Looking at the damage, however, he will likely be out of the event completely. The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will likely try their best to put the championship leader’s car back together, so he can at least put on a show for the fans.
Disappointment On Home Soil
Kalle Rovanperä was the fan favorite to win Secto Rally Finland. As it’s his home event and everybody loves to win at home. It’s also something Rovanperä has never done and it’ll remain that way for at least another 12 months. Subsequently, no Fin has won Rally Finland since Esapekka Lappi in 2017. This was also the first time Rally Finland had a reigning champion be a Fin in 20 years. As well the Sebastien’s who dominated most of the 2000’s and 2010’s both came from a country starting with an F but unfortunately, the rest of the letters spell France not Finland.
What Kalle Rovanperä’s Crash Means
Kalle Rovanperä was set to take his first ever Rally Finland win in the top class, and become the first Fin in 6 years to win the event. Rovanperä led Secto Rally Finland by 5.7 seconds over Elfyn Evans heading into the stage. Now with Rovanperä out, 2021 Rally Finland winner Elfyn Evans takes the lead. Now sitting 10.9 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville who is on pace for his best result in a decade. Now with only 5 Rally1 cars remaining, it’s likely nobody is going to take any major risks as there’s not much of a point.