Victory and first place in the series - Lauri Joona had a perfect Saturday in Lahti

13.8.2023

Lauri Joona drove to his second championship victory of the season at the Future Championship rally in Lahti. With the number one status, Joona also became number one in SM points.

Lauri Joona's wild rally weeks came to a perfect conclusion on Saturday, when the Sastamala native drove to victory in the SM rally around Lahti.

- I feel good now! The race went well in all respects, and the victory in the main class is great, beamed Joona at the finish line.

The sixth race of the Rally SM season, the Future SM rally, started on Friday, when two special tests were run. We went to the night break with Joona and Tuukka Shemeika leading by 0.1 seconds ahead of the team

averi Teemu Asunmaata . So there was a fierce battle for the top spot on Saturday.

- It was a bit slippery in places. When you stay in the groove, it's good, but as soon as you go out a bit to find a line, it's so slippery. Tomorrow you have to go hard to stay on board, said Joona on Friday.

After the first four special tests on Saturday, the day care center was reached with champion Juha Salo leading the race. For the last run, Joona decided to pick up the pace and it paid off. The solution to the exciting race was seen in the last special test, which Joona took to his name almost in showmanship. At the end, the difference between the two was 5.1 seconds in favor of Joona. Roope Korhonen finished third in the final results .

At the finish, you could see the winning duo smiling widely and quite satisfied.

- A tight race and at no point was it easy. For the last couple of laps, we started to pick up the pace and it was successful. We had to be among the three in order to get a good starting point for the season's final competition. That goal was achieved, and now we are strongly involved in the championship fight, beamed Joona at the finish of the race.

The final race of the season will be held in Kokkola at the end of September. In that race, Joona, competing in the TGS Škoda Motorsport Suomi team, will have the role of a plow car, but at least it won't cause any big emotions in advance.

- The autumn weather is probably quite good, so the number one starting place doesn't bother me that much. However, you have to be careful. Good and exciting settings, when the winner is then the champion. We will do our best to get the first prize home!

Results / SM1 class, Future SM rally:

1. LAURI JOONA - TUUKKA SHEMEIKKA 58:44,32. Juha Salo +5.13. Roope Korhonen +16.54. Teemu Asunmaa +30.35. Jari Huttunen +58.06. Anssi Rytkönen +2:33.97. Heikki Kovalainen +2:51.0 Points / SM1 class, 6/7 races:

1. LAURI JOONA 1032. Jari Huttunen 1003. Teemu Asunmaa 974. Juha Salo 855. Roope Korhonen 406. Niclas Grönholm 37

All results and SM points: https://www.rallism.fi/content/fi/1/10092/Tulokset.html

More information: Lauri Joona, 044 513 4251, lauri.joona@hotmail.fi