FRC Kuopio: Matsushita wins on Rally3 debut

Results (SM2 class)

• 1 Takumi Matsushita/Pekka Kelander (Renault Clio Rally3)50m28.0s
• 2 Henri Altomaa/Jussi Kärpijoki (Renault Clio Rally3)+7.5s
• 3 Pekka Keski-Korsu/Hannu Lamminen (Renault Clio Rally3)+12.8s
• 4 Eamonn Kelly/Conor Mohan (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+13.9s
• 5 Ossi Pohjanharju/Jani Laitinen (Renault Clio Rally3)+59.0s
• 6 Kristian Nieminen/Valtteri Nieminen (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+2m44.9s
• Retired Shotaro Goto/Jussi Lindberg (Renault Clio Rally3)

Quotes

Mikko Hirvonen (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program chief instructor)
“This was a fantastic result for Takumi, in his first event in Rally3 and his first winter rally on snow and ice. Last year we saw that he and Shotaro have been handling things well and adapting quickly, so we felt they were ready to take this next step. They have been doing well testing the Rally3 car and we believed that they could be fast with it, but we didn’t expect this so soon. We’ve had less snow this winter in Finland so there were not really any snowbanks, meaning the stages were more open and high speed. You really had to be committed to be quick, but it looks like it suited Takumi well and he found good confidence early on. He surprised us also with how consistent he was and how he was able to challenge the top drivers. It was a really great drive. Shotaro’s car had a problem from the beginning relating to the electronics so he wasn’t able to do any of the stages at full speed and eventually retired, which was a real pity. We just need to resolve the issue so that he can try again at the Arctic Rally in a couple of weeks.”

Shotaro Goto
“Unfortunately we had a technical problem from the first stage of the rally, and it got worse and worse with every stage. The team tried to fix it during the mid-day service, but the issue wasn’t solved, so the decision was made to retire after SS5. It’s frustrating for my first rally in the Rally3 car. It’s the first time I’ve been driving a four-wheel drive car and it has felt more like a proper rally car: it’s really stable with better suspension and the cornering is much faster, so it’s quite a big step forward. I’m trying to adapt and it’s feeling better every time I’m in the car, so I really hope we can have a good rally with no problems at the Arctic Rally.”

Takumi Matsushita
“I’m so happy to have taken this win. When I reached the end of the last stage and the interviewer told me I had the victory, I was very surprised because I was expecting second or third. From the morning, I was feeling pretty good with the car and I could trust the pacenotes so I was able to stay consistent and focus on my own pace all the time. The conditions were difficult with gravel coming through and soft snow, and it was different in every corner but I could manage that well. Stepping up to Rally3, I was expecting the addition of the rear differential to be the main difference to Rally4, but it feels totally different with a lot more traction, speed and power. Still, it’s easy and fun to drive and I’m feeling more comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to Arctic Rally now: I want to keep pushing but also stay calm and keep gaining experience.”

Follow us!

Follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOYOTAGAZOORacingWRC
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TGR_WRC (@TGR_WRC)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tgr_wrc/ (@TGR_WRC)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCtALHup92q5xIFb7n9UXVg

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program is supported by following partners.