The Swedish World Cup rally is underway. Rovanperä jumps behind the wheel of a race car for the first time this season.
Kalle Rovanperä drives only half a season in the World Rally Championship. JANI KORPELA
The Swedish World Cup rally is underway.
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä was immediately in a frenzy on his first drive in the test specials of the Swedish rally.
Rovanperä set the fastest time in the 5.42-kilometer test special stage on his first attempt.
– It’s nice to be back. The break wasn’t long, but I’m excited, Rovanperä said.
Also Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi was in full swing. After the first test runs, he was second and was 2.4 seconds behind the time of the reigning world champion.
The third fastest pace was held by Rovanperä’s teammate Takamoto Katsutawho missed the lead by 4.5 seconds on his first move.
leading the World Cup by Thierry Neuville the fleet suffered from technical problems. He couldn’t hear his map reader at all.
– I was just driving to be safe, and now we’re going back to maintenance, Neuville said.
Janni Hussi debuted in the World Cup Lauri Joonan as a map reader in the WRC2 class.
In reality, the race will take place in snowy Umeå on Thursday evening, when the program will include the first special test. Seven special tests will be run on Friday.