The second day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Sami Pajari took the class lead after the day.
SS7, Rengini
Yohan Rossel kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Frenchman set a time 0.5 seconds faster than Robert Virves and Sami Pajari who tied for the second-fastest time on the stage. Georg Linnamäe and Jan Solans tied for the fourth fastest time on the stage, with both drivers finishing 3.1 seconds slower than Rossel and 2.6 seconds slower than Virves and Pajari.
SS8, Thiva
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on the eighth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024. With a time 7.8 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe. Lauri Joona and Robert Virves tied for the third fastest time on the stage, with both drivers finishing 10 seconds slower than Rossel and 2.2 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.2 seconds slower than Joona and Virves.
SS9, Aghii Theodori 1
Sami Pajari capped off the morning loop with his first stage win of the day. As the Toyota driver finished 0.9 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel. Lauri Joona was third fastest on the stage, 7.1 seconds slower than Pajari and 6.2 seconds slower than Rossel. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Georg Linnamäe tied for the fourth fastest time on the stage, with both finishing 6.2 seconds slower than Joona.
SS10, Loutraki
Yohan Rossel was back to his winning ways on the tenth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024. As Rossel set a time 1.6 seconds faster than Lauri Joona to take the stage win. Sami Pajari was third fastest on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Rossel and 0.2 seconds slower than Joona. Georg Linnamäe finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Pajari. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
SS11, Aghii Theodori 2
Yohan Rossel also took home the stage win on SS11. With a time 5.4 seconds faster than championship rival Sami Pajari. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 8.1 seconds slower than Rossel and 2.7 seconds slower than Pajari. Robert Virves set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.4 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Virves.
SS12, EKO SSS
Kajetan Kajetanowicz took home the stage win on the twelfth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024. As Kajetanowicz set a time 0.5 seconds faster than Roberto Daprà and Yohan Rossel who tied for the second-fastest time on the stage. Robert Virves finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Darpà and Rossel. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Virves.
What To Expect From EKO Acropolis Rally Greece Day Three
The third and final day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece will see drivers contest 54.05 km across 3 stages. The day’s longest stage is the 18.29 km Eleftherohori stage which is run twice as SS14 and SS15 and will be the Wolf Powerstage. The shortest stage is the 17.47 km Inohori stage which opens the day.
The first day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024 has come to an end. Robert Virves leads the WRC2 class after the day.
SS1, Ano Pavliani 1
Yohan Rossel kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Frenchman set a time 7.6 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to win the stage. Nikolay Gryazin was third fastest on the stage, 13.3 seconds slower than Rossel and 5.7 seconds slower than Pajari. Lauri Joona finished fourth fastest on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Joona.
SS2, Dafni 2
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on the stage second stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024. With a time 3.4 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith. Lauri Joona finished third fastest on the stage, 6.8 seconds slower than Rossel, and 3.4 seconds slower than Greensmith. Fabrizio Zaldivar set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Joona. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Zaldivar.
SS3, Tarzan 1
Yohan Rossel completed the sweep of the morning loop after taking the stage win on SS3. Rossel set a time 8.4 seconds faster than both Sami Pajari and Gus Greensmith, who tied for second, to top the stage. Robert Virves finished fourth fastest on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Pajari and Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 10.1 seconds slower than Virves.
SS4, Ano Panvliani 2
Yohan Rossel continued his dominance on the fourth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024. As the class leader finished with a time 0.1 seconds faster than Robert Virves to take the stage win. Georg Linnamäe was third fastest on the stage, 3.6 seconds slower than Rossel and 3.5 seconds slower than Virves. Gus Greensmith set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top five, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Greenmsith.
SS5, Dafni 2
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on SS5. As Rossel set a time 4.2 seconds faster than Robert Virves. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 8.5 seconds slower than Rossel and 4.3 seconds slower than Virves. Sami Pajari was fourth fastest on the stage, 4.1 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Gus Greenmsith rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS6, Tarzan 2
Yohan Rossel’s dominance came to an end on SS6. As Robert Virves took the stage win and class lead. As he finished the stage with a time 11.1 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Georg Linnamäe set the third fastest time on the stage, 17.2 seconds slower than Virves and 6.1 seconds slower than Pajari. Jan Solans was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Kajetan Kajetanwoicz rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.1 seconds slower than Solans.
A Smaller Playing Field
Pierre-Louis Loubet, who challenged for the event win back in 2022 continued his streak of misfortune this weekend. As the Frenchman had an accident on the events opening stage. Lauri Joona retired on SS5 with a mechanical. Gus Greenmsith retired with a mechanical after hitting a cow. Don’t worry the cow was fine according to Gus. However, Greensmith’s Škoda Fabia Rally2 was not alright after the altercation. Rossel suffered a puncture on SS6, which dropped him to sixth in class.
What To Expect From EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2024 Day Two
The second day will see drivers contest 116.23 km across another six stages. The day’s longest stage is the 28.67 Rengini stage which serves as the day’s open stage and is only run once. The shortest stage is the 1.97 km EKO SSS stage, which will end the day off. Drivers will have to be cautious as there is no midday service. The day ends with a 45-minute service so teams can prepare the cars for the final day of action.
The EKO Acropolis Rally Greece shakedown has come to an end. Thierry Neuville topped the shakedown stage.
Rally1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the weekend by setting the fastest time on the shakedown stage. Neuville set a time 0.9 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to top the shakedown. Ott Tänak finished with the third fastest time, 1.5 seconds slower than Neuville and 0.6 seconds slower than Katsuta. Dani Sordo was fourth fastest on the shakedown stage, finishing with a time 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmuax rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Sordo.
WRC2
Gus Greensmith topped the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. As the British driver set a time 1.7 seconds faster than Robert Virves. Yohan Rossel was third fastest on the stage, two seconds slower than Greensmith and 03 seconds slower than Virves. Georg Linnamäe finished fourth fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Pierre-Louis Loubet, who nearly won the event a few years ago, rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage. As Loubet finished with a time 0.9 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
What To Expect From Day One
The first day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece will see drivers’ contest 135.02 km across six stages. With the longest of these stages is the 23.37 km Tarzan stage which will end each loop. While the shortest is the 21.67 km Dafni stage, which is the second stage on each loop. The day features one 30-minute service between loops and a 45-minute service to end the day. Thierry Neuville will be first on the road followed by Sebastian Ogier and Ott Tänak. Drivers are in for a rough event. As no rain is on the forecast which means the roads will be dry and as a result rougher for the drivers. Ogier expects this to be the roughest Acropolis in years. Only time will tell how rough the road is on the cars. Hopefully, it doesn’t get to the point where multiple drivers retire due to the conditions destroying the cars.
The third day of Rally Finland 2024 has come to an end. Oliver Solberg remains in the WRC2 lead after the day’s six stages.
SS11, Västilä 1
Mikko Heikklä kicked off the third day of his home event with a stage win. As the Finnish driver set a time 1.6 seconds faster than fellow countryman Lauri Joona. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Heikklä and 0.6 seconds slower than Joona.
SS12, Päijälä 1
Jari-Marti Latvala topped the twelfth stage of his home event. Finishing with a time 3.3 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg. Mikko Heikklä was third fastest on the stage 4.8 seconds slower than Latvala and 1.5 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS13, Ouninpohja 1
Georg Linnamäe topped the final stage of the morning loop. With the Estonian setting a time 2.9 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala to take the stage win. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 4.9 seconds slower than Linnamäe and two seconds slower than Latvala.
SS14, Västilä 2
Oliver Solberg took home the stage win on the fourteenth stage of Rally Finland 2024. Setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala. Mikko Heikklä finished third fastest on the stage, seven seconds slower than Solberg and 2.4 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS15, Päijälä 2
Robert Virves became the fifth driver to take a stage win on Saturday. As the Estonian finished with a time 0.9 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg. Lauri Joona was third fastest on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Virves and 1.3 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS16, Ouninpohja 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the third day of Rally Finland 2024 with a stage win. As the Swede set a time 4.2 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to top the stage. Roope Korhonen rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 8.6 seconds slower than Solberg and 4.4 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
The second day of Rally Finland 2024 has come to an end Oliver Solberg leads the WRC2 class after the first 10 stages.
Day One – SS1, Harju 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Swede set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to take the stage win. Jari-Matti Latvala finished third fastest on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Solberg and one second slower than Linnamäe.
Day Two – SS2, Laukaa 1
Robert Vivres kicked off the second day of Rally Finland 2024 with a stage win. As the Estonian finished 0.1 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.4 seconds slower than Virves and 0.3 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS3, Saarikas 1
Only two drivers ran the stage, as the stage was stopped after Lauri Joona ran the stage. Solberg had the fastest time, 6.8 seconds faster than Joona and 18.4 seconds faster than the time everyone else received.
SS4, Myhinpãä 1
Jari-Matti Latvala took home the stage win on the fourth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.9 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg. Emil Lindholm and Georg Linnamäe tied for third fastest on the stage. With the two drivers finished 1.1 seconds slower than Latvala and 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS5, Ruuhimäki 1
Robert Virves took home his second stage win on SS5. With a time 0.4 seconds faster than Roope Korhonen. Jari-Matti Latvala rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Virves and 0.2 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS6, Laukaa 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop of Rally Finland 2024 day two with a stage win. As Solberg finished with a time 10 seconds faster than Mikko Heikklä. Lauri Joona rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 11 seconds slower than Solberg and one second slower than Heikklä.
SS7, Saarikas 2
Oliver Solberg also topped SS7, finishing with a time 0.6 seconds faster than Jari-Matti Latvala. Roope Korhonen and Robert Virves tied for third fastest on the stage. With both finished 4.4 seconds slower than Solberg and 3.8 seconds slower than Latvala.
SS8, Myhinpãä
Jari-Matti Latvala took home the stage win on the eighth stage of Rally Finland 2024. With a time 0.6 seconds faster than Robert Virves. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Latvala and 0.6 seconds slower than Virves.
SS9, Ruuhimäki 2
Oliver Solberg was back to his winning ways on SS9. As the Swede set a time 1.3 seconds faster than Robert Virves to take the stage win. Mikko Heikklä finished third fastest, 1.8 seconds slower than Solberg and 0.5 seconds slower than Virves.
SS10, Harju 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the second day of Rally Finland 2024 with his sixth stage win. As Solberg set a time 0.3 seconds faster than Yuki Yamamoto to take the stage win. Robert Virves and Georg Linnamäe tied for third fastest on the stage. With both Estonians finished 0.6 seconds slower than Solberg and 0.3 seconds slower than Yamamoto.
This first day of Rally Latvia 2024 has come to an end. Oliver Solberg took an early lead on the day. Find out all you need to know below.
Shakedown
Oliver Solberg set the fastest time on the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. As the “almost Latvian” driver set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Fabrizio Zaldivar and Josh McErlean who tied for second fastest. Mikko Heikklä finished fourth fastest on the Rally Latvia 2024 shakedown stage, with a time 0.6 seconds slower than Zaldivar and McErlean. Miguel Zaldivar rounded out the top five in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage. Finishing with a time 0.1 seconds slower than Heikklä.
SS1, Bikernieki Track
Oliver Solberg kicked off Rally Latvia 2024 with a stage win. As the two-time event winner posted a time 7.6 seconds faster than Roberto Daprà to take an early lead. Emil Lindholm finished third fastest on the opening stage, 8.9 seconds slower than Solberg and 1.3 seconds slower than Darpà. Josh McErlean set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Lindholm. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than McErlean.
What To Expect From Rally Latvia 2024 Day Two
The second day of Rally Latvia 2024 will see drivers contest 120.92 km across 7 special stages. Unlike other events, 5 of the day’s 7 stages will be different. As only the 4.99 km Milzkalne stage and the 27.56 km Tukums stage will be run twice. They will serve as SS2/5 and SS3/6 respectively. The day features no midday service, only a tire fitting zone. Meaning drivers will have to attempt to limit the damage to their cars as much as possible. There will be a 47-minute service to end the day off. Sami Pajari will be the first of the WRC2 drivers on the road, followed by Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Here are some predictions for the WRC2 class.
Solberg Wins
Oliver Solberg only has one win this season. That coming at his home event of Rally Sweden. However, the championship hopeful has plenty of experience at Rally Latvia. Which should give him a slight edge over his competition. Especially those who don’t have the experience at the event. Solberg will have to attempt to beat Sami Pajari, who has won the last two events in class. Pajari will be ahead of Solberg on the road to start the event. This means Pajari will get a road that is slightly fresher than Solberg for all of the first full day of action.
Pajari, Greensmith Round Out Podium
Speaking of Pajari, I have him taking one of the other two podium spots this weekend. As previously mentioned Pajari has been quick on gravel this season. Winning the last two events in the WRC2 class. Gus Greensmith on the other hand is also a fast driver when it comes down to it. Plus Rally Latvia doesn’t have a laundry list of potential contenders for the podium this weekend. The only other guys I could see coming close are Mikko Heikklä, Josh McErlean and Teemu Suninen. As both Suninen and Heikklä are also properly fast drivers when it comes down to it. Plus Heikklä has experience at the event. Suninen on the other hand is driving a not-so-good Hyundai Rally2 car.
McErlean Has Another Strong Event
Josh McErlean has been kinda looked over so far this season. As the Irishman has put up pretty good results behind the wheel of his Škoda Fabia. Finishing second in Portugal and battling near the top five in Poland. I wouldn’t be surprised if McErlean somehow manages to sneak into the top five this weekend. Again it’s a rather disappointing entry list of cars. However, that still wouldn’t take away from the result. As at the end of the day, every point matters. Plus all experience matters.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round eight Tet Rally Latvia. Find out all you need to know below.
Championship Rundown
Yohan Rossel retained the championship lead after Rally Poland. Despite not contesting the event. Sami Pajari moved into second after winning the event. The Finnish driver now sits just 3 points behind Rossel. Rossel will be absent once again this weekend. This means Pajari should be able to take the championship lead after Rally Latvia. Oliver Solberg sits third in the championship, 7 points behind Pajari. Both drivers have a chance to pass Rossel this weekend. Jan Solans fell to fourth after Rally Poland, which he didn’t contest. The Spaniard now sits tied for fourth with Nikolay Grayzin, 13 points behind Solberg.
Thin Entry Sheet
Rally Latvia will probably be the shortest WRC2 entry list of all the European events. As just 19 drivers will compete in the class this weekend. This includes names such as Oliver Solberg, who is looking for the win this weekend. Alongside Gus Greensmith, Josh McErlean, Sami Pajari, Mikko Heikklä and Teemu Suninen. Outside of those few nobody really has a chance to contest for the win unless somebody either has a shocker of an event, or all of those drivers have issues. Brandon Semenuk is a notable name making his debut this weekend. As the 2 time American Rally champion will drive a Yaris Rally2. However, I don’t have high expectations of Semenuk this weekend. As it’s not only a new car and event but a whole different experience for the Canadian.
More Points On The Board
Less drivers in class means less pressure right? Well, that could certainly be true and will probably be the case. Obviously, this doesn’t mean everyone will take it easy and just finish the event. Points are still points and for guys like Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari every single one matters at this point in the season. As both are strong contenders for the championship. Neither of them will go easy on one another this weekend. Which is probably how they’d like it anyway. As nobody enjoys being handed points. Especially in a close championship battle.
Jari-Matti Latvala will step back into the driver’s seat for Rally Finland. This time taking the wheel of a Yaris Rally2 for his home event.
Stepping Into The Seat
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that Jari-Matti Latvala wants to contest Rally Finland once again. As he finished fifth overall at the event last season. However, that came after half of the Rally1 field had some sort of issue. Nevertheless this year Latvala will have a slower yet still great car to drive. As he’s driving the sort of brand-new Yaris Rally2. Which heading into Rally Latvia is three for three on gravel events in the WRC. As Jan Solans took the win in Portugal and Sami Pajari in Sardegna and Poland. Latvala likely won’t be looking for the win. As it’s not a secret that guys like Oliver Solberg are much faster at this point in time. Nevertheless, the journeyman rally driver will look to have a fun time out.
Why The Rally2 Car?
The answer to this isn’t really known at this point. However, it was rumoured that Jari-Matti Latvala would once again drive the Rally1 car. What happened to that? Well Sami Pajari’s Rally1 drive being moved changed that. Latvala isn’t a guy who is going to take the opportunity away from somebody like Pajari. He has no reason to. Plus stepping behind the wheel of the Rally2 car may help Latvala assist drivers like Yuki Yamamoto and Hikaru Kogure progress in the cars.
Who Will Take Over As Team Principal?
This also hasn’t been confirmed however, I have no doubt in my mind Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda will step in once again for Latvala. As Toyoda has a love for rallying and if he’s free would probably be more than happy to step back into the role for the weekend.
Brandon Semenuk is set to make his WRC debut this month in Latvia. Find out more about the Canadian rally star below.
Making His Debut
There has been talk for the last couple of seasons about now-two-time American Rally Association Champion Brandon Semenuk making his international rally debut. Semenuk did make that debut back at the legendary Otago Rally earlier this year. However, the Canadian has yet to make his World Rally Championship debut, let alone do a rally in Europe. That will all change come Rally Latvia next month. As Semenuk will make his debut in a Rally2 Yaris.
Brandon Semenuk has spent the last year in a half dominating the ARA in his top-of-the-line Subaru Rallycar built by Vermont Sportscar. Semenuk won every round of the ARA championship in 2023 and every round this season up until the Oregon Trail Rally when a rock damaged his car and forced him to retire. Brandon Semenuk also took home his first championship back in 2022 after a close battle with the late great Ken Block. Semenuk narrowly beat out the action sports legend, with Block sliding off the road at the final event of the season.
Overall Semenuk shouldn’t make any huge strides in his first WRC event. As the car, while slower than what he is used to stateside, will still have a learning curve. Add that to a decent amount of quality competition like Oliver Solberg who raced in the ARA some years ago alongside David Higgins. Semenuk may be able to take a handful of top-five stage times in class by the end of the weekend. As he is a quick learner and has shown he is not only a top driver in North America but potentially one of the better drivers in the world.
Brandon Semenuk works on a really tight schedule most of the time as he also does mountain biking. Balancing mountain biking and rallying hasn’t been an easy task for Semenuk persay, add having to travel to Europe or some other country and spend a decent amount of time preparing for an event and it makes it harder. Not that Semenuk doesn’t already do this stateside. He could potentially do Rally Chile this year or Rally Paraguay next year. If the opportunity arises for Semenuk to drive at either event.