[ Featuring Nino Morro ]
COMMENTATOR:
As ever, valuable bonus points on offer in the final rally of the Apex Power Stage here in Finland, in one of the toughest dirt clashes of the season. An opportunity to turn on the style for rally fans here at the special stage, with the cars spending as much time in the air as they do on the ground!
First up was Johannes Borg, looking to round off an impressive return to the IRC in the Lazaro GT, putting in the best time over the weekend and thrilling the crowds with a spectacular leap over the flying finish.
Ellis was denied a position in the top five after suffering a puncture in stage two, losing a place to championship rival Marco Laine. But with the team gambling to firm up the Ozara s suspension settings, true to form the Flying Welshman soared over the finish three and a half seconds quicker than Borg, setting a new benchmark for the stage.
Then it was the turn for World Champion Sebastian Müller, trailing three points behind Ivan Skochi in the title race, after suffering a technical fault in stage four. On the chase and perhaps over-driving a little, Müller fast through the early stages, but despite this monster finish, still two seconds behind Ellis s time.
Arijé Conti, winner of the Apex Power Stage last time in Argentina, out for big points in an effort to get back in the running for the title. Displaying good pace over the weekend, the Italian, second fastest just behind Sam Ellis, but just over a second quicker than Skochi, and beating Aeon team-mate Marco Laine.
The surprise victim of the day was to be Tito Macari on home soil four times winner of this event. Although fast through the early stages, his title hopes quashed by a broken track rod saw him limping the last 2km home, and dropping five places on the leader board.
Securing his first podium finish of the season was fellow team-mate Ollie Stromberg, a welcome return to form for the young Centurion driver after suffering a big impact here two years ago. Despite a lengthy absence from the rally circuit, he s firmly back in the driving seat and showing no fear through the power stage, while reminding everyone of his talent with a brilliant drive to second.
Full honours went to a textbook drive from the championship frontrunner and rally leader Toby Wood. Not only the quickest through the power stage, but a faultless performance here saw the seasoned Brit smash the course record by just over 3.5 seconds, with a head-turning leap over the finish to secure his 4th title victory.
And if you were ever in doubt as to why he is the world number one, here s a perfect masterclass in rallying
RALLY WITH CO-DRIVER:
3, 2, 1, GO!
70 keep right over crest into long, five right plus opens over 40, tightens four plus into triple caution.
Right four over big jump off camber. Right five over crest, left three, don t cut 100, brake five into left six, short over small crest then deceptive right four into three left. Through the dip double tightens. Sixty flat right over crest 100 into six left, long, opens over crest. Brake five into left six, short, 30, six right into three left plus. Over bump, tightens to hairpin, 60 flat right over crest 100, five left minus neat, tightens at junction.
Left two over kick into right three tightens, narrows into five right, over ditch. Forty left over crest. Through the dip double tightens. Keep right! Into six right over crest. 150 left tightens. 60 flat right over crest 100, five left minus neat and early flat right opens over crest 150. Line flat right slowing for line. Deceptive right four into three left opens over 40. Flat crest 80, into flying finish!
Woohoo!
Well done, Toby!
Great drive, mate!
COMMENTATOR:
So here is IRC leader board: Toby Wood now leading the championship by an impressive margin.
And as for the Apex Power leader board after nine rounds: Wood s lead increasing from six points to eight, with the champion now on 34 points. Marco Laine second with 28 points, just one more than third-place rival Sam Ellis on 27.
