Lauri Joona Sixth in Challenging Croatian WRC Rally

Heat, snowfall, and tire issues. This year's Croatian WRC Rally offered all of this to Lauri Joona.

The fourth round of the World Rally Championship took place over the weekend in Croatia.

For Lauri Joona, competing in the WRC2 class, this was the second WRC rally of the season. In the season opener in Sweden, Joona and co-driver Janni Hussi finished sixth. This time, the goal was a placement closer to the top of the WRC2 class.

The Croatian WRC Rally does not make it easy for competitors, with challenging asphalt roads, tough rivals, and variable spring weather ensuring this. The weather during the race week varied from nearly 30-degree heat to snowfall.

Friday's eight special stages were driven without a daytime service, with only a tire service on the schedule. Joona and Hussi drove consistently and without unnecessary risks, with stage times close to the leaders.

• "It wasn't an easy start, with the first stage being 23 km long and lots of mud on the road. The next stages were easier, and gradually, the times started improving. The last stage was perhaps a bit too cautious, but we didn't want to take unnecessary risks," summarized Joona on Friday.

The weather forecast predicted rain for Saturday, and Joona and Hussi prepared accordingly. However, the expected heavy rain didn't materialize, causing grip issues due to tire choice.

• "We chose soft tires hoping for rain, but it didn't really come. However, driving is constantly improving, and the feel for the car is getting better. You can tell that the kilometers are making a difference. With a significant gap ahead and behind, we aim to maintain this position until the end," said Joona, who arrived fifth at the overnight break on Saturday evening.

But tires played a major role on Sunday as well. During the second special stage of the morning, the right front tire of TGS Motorsport's Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 broke, and the duo had to change it.

• "I can't really say where the tire broke. It had to be changed, and we're happy to have finished the stage," Joona said in a post-finish interview.

The last two special stages went without problems, and Joona's final placement in the WRC2 class results was sixth. In the WRC2 Challenger series, Joona was the fifth fastest. Nikolay Gryazin won the WRC2 class, with Yohan Rossel finishing second. Gus Greensmith was the third fastest Rally2 driver in Croatia, but he did not compete for WRC2 points, so the third highest points went to Pepe Lopez.

If there was anything to be unhappy about, there were also positives. Like the main class, the WRC2 class in Croatia also uses lead cars. For Joona, this was the first time.

• "Things have gone well. The guys have been out on the route early, making our job easier by marking places in the notes where more cutting is possible and where it's not. They've monitored the weather and reported if there's a lot of gravel or mud on the road. The team has no shortage of experience," praised Joona, referring to Toni Gardemeister and Tuukka Shemeikka, who were in the lead car.

The next WRC rally will be held in Portugal from May 12-15.

Croatian WRC Rally, April 18-21, 2024

Results and standings: WRC Live Timing

For more information:

Lauri Joona, +358 44 513 4251, lauri.joona@hotmail.fi

Mikko Dahlman, +358 40 738 3080, mikko.dahlman@kopterstein.com