The second day of Secto Rally Finland has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads the event after a drama-filled day.
SS2, LAUKAA 1
Takamoto Katsuta started the second day off with a stage win. Beating Elfyn Evans by 0.5 seconds to take his first stage win of the event. Kalle Rovanperä finished third on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Evans. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS3, LANKAMAA 1
The third stage of Secto Rally Finished was won by Kalle Rovanperä. Who set a time 1.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take his first stage win of the event. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Evans. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time, 0.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, 2.3 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS4, MYHINPÄÄ 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the stage win on the fourth stage of his home event. Setting a time 1.4 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Esapekka Lappi finished third quickest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing a mere 0.1 seconds slower than Suninen.
SS5, HALTTULA 1
Kalle Rovanperä once again took top honours on SS5 of Secto Rally Finland. With the Fin setting a time 0.3 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take his third consecutive stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Evans. Thierry Neuville posted the fourth quickest time on the outing, 0.7 seconds slower than Katsuta. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five, finishing 3.2 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS6, LAUKAA 2
Kalle Rovanperä once again took the stage win on the sixth stage. Setting a time 0.2 seconds faster than teammate Takamoto Katsuta. Teemu Suninen finished with his first top-three time, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Suninen. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Evans.
SS7, LANKAMAA 2
If you had guessed Kalle Rovanperä took the stage win on stage 7 of Secto Rally Finland, you’d be correct. As Rovanperä posted a time 0.4 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take his fifth consecutive stage win. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Evans. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Katsuta. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS8, MYHINPÄÄ 2
Stage 8 would finally see somebody other than Kalle Rovanperä win the stage. With Thierry Neuville taking his first stage win, finishing 2.1 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Katsuta. Jari-Matti Latvala would set his first top-five time on the stage, finishing 5 seconds slower than Suninen.
SS9, HALTTULA 2
Thierry Neuville once again took the stage win on SS9 of Secto Rally Finland. Setting a time 1.2 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta who tied for second on the stage. Teemu Suninen finished with the third fastest time on the outing, 2.2 seconds slower than Evans and Katsuta. Jari-Matti Latvala posted the fourth fastest time, 3.2 seconds slower than Suninen. WRC2 driver Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five fastest times on the stage, finishing 8.8 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS10, HARJU 2
Thierry Neuville also took the final stage win of the second day. Finishing 2.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans on the stage. Takamoto Katsuta set the third quickest time on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.5 seconds slower than Suninen.
Five Cars Remain, One Will Reign Victorious
The second day of Secto Rally Finland saw a lot of drama. As top runners Kalle Rovanperä (crash), Ott Tänak (engine) and Esapekka Lappi (crash) all retired on the day. Tänak is confirmed out of the event. Rovanperä’s status remains unknown at this time, but it’s likely he will retire as his car is pretty much just a shell at this point. Esapekka Lappi’s status is also unknown at this time. Pierre-Louis Loubet would also crash out of Secto Rally Finland, just 1km from where Tänak retired. Loubet’s status is also unknown at this time.
What To Expect From Secto Rally Finland Day Three
Thierry Neuville (BEL) Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL) Of team HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM are seen performing during the World Rally Championship Finland in Jyvasküla, Finland on 4 August, 2023 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
The third day of Secto Rally Finland will see drivers contest 160.68km across 8 special stages. Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans will battle it out for 1st. With just 6.9 seconds separating the pair heading into the day. Teemu Suninen will likely battle with Takamoto Katsuta for third. With just 12.4 seconds separating that pair of drivers. 16.4 seconds separate Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta. As day two proved anything is possible at Secto Rally Finland.
Kalle Rovanperä Rolls Out Of Secto Rally Finland
Ott Tänak Retires From Secto Rally Finland