Kalle Rovanperä was happy about the change in weather

Kalle Rovanperä received financial assistance. PDO

as the manager of the World Series Kalle Rovanperä had to start again as the first car on the gravel sections of New Zealand. In advance, the contract was expected to be painful for Toyota’s Finnish star.

But it turned out differently. In the opening stretch, Rovanperä took the lead, but after that the pace picked up. A little relief came from heaven.

– The day was quite good. The morning was quite difficult and there was a lot of plowing. Fortunately, the rain came in the end, Rovanperä gloated to Iltalehte at the end of a long day of racing.

On Friday, well over half of the total length of the rally was driven. Rovanperä ended the day in fourth place, just 7.2 seconds away from the leading Hyundai Ott from Tänak, who is the Finn’s only threat in the championship fight. The teammates are also ahead of Rovanperä Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier.

The Finn’s situation improved when Tänak received a time penalty. With the penalty, team mate Evans is in the lead. Tänak is only 2.2 seconds away.

– We got a little help from the rain and in the afternoon we got another pair of soles. So we got some time back. After all, we didn’t stay that long. We are still in the game for tomorrow, Rovanperä said.

Rain showers colored the first proper driving day with special tests on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Things won’t get any easier on Saturday, as continuous rain is expected. Drops were falling almost from the sky already during the Friday evening service in Auckland.

– The difference to the top is quite small, but Ott was really fast today, even though he had the second starting place. He will certainly attack hard tomorrow, as will my teammates (Evans and Ogier). We’ll see how it goes – we’ll try to stay in the fight, Rovanperä planned.

Rovanperä has a chance to secure his first world championship already in New Zealand. A victory and sufficient points from the Power Stage special test would guarantee a celebration, even if Tänak finished second in the race. On the other hand, it is not necessary to fight for the win either, because a good points pot would take Rovanperä a leap closer to the title.

But don’t get ahead of things. The Finn still has two challenging driving days to clear, probably in muddy conditions. The good thing is that such a challenge should suit Rovanpera.

– I enjoy driving in the rain. Even today we were able to drive good times in the rain.

Six special tests will be run in New Zealand on Saturday. The competition will possibly end with Rovanperä’s championship celebration on Sunday.