Esapekka Lappi, who drove third in Jyväskylä, hoped after the race that she would not encounter such a staged rally again in her career.
The picture of Esapekka Lapi’s car is etched in the history of the Finnish World Rally Championship. Vesa Pöppönen / All Over Press
Esapekka Lappi was a relieved man at the finish line of the Finnish World Rally Championship, because his race was full of events.
The “crowning” of the race in Lapland was the overturning of the car in the penultimate special stage, as a result of which he had to drive the last section without a windshield.
– I couldn’t understand why the crash happened – came as a really big surprise. It hit the groove and then started spinning, Lappi said.
– Yesterday and today seemed to be too much for us, but that’s the only way we got here.
On Saturday, Lapland’s windshield was broken by an unluckily bouncing stone. The Toyota driver finally made it to the podium, although the suspension was not far away on the final day.
– Hopefully this kind of rally won’t happen again, but it’s great that sometimes these things can be solved.
“Terrible hum”
In the last special test, Lapland and the cart Janne Ferm had to put ski goggles on when the air flowed into the car.
How could driving at a speed of almost 200 kilometers per hour feel like without a windshield?
– Yes, it was a bit windy in there. The roof also disappeared in the first acceleration, when Vitonen hit it. After that, the air just came and the sun shone inside.
– Terrible hum and Janne had to shout notes. When it wasn’t hot, bugs didn’t come inside, Lappi laughed.
The Finn still found a silver lining in his case, because luck was favorable this time.
– Many times I have watched with envy when, for example, For Thierry Neuville something happens, and it still manages to continue. Once we made it.