Team GRX's Emil Lindholm and Reeta Hämäläinen drove the last day of the Rally RACC - Rally de España with little caution. The Finnish duo, who were in the lead of the WRC3-class from the start, no longer aimed for the fastest times of their class but for a sure finish.

Two weeks ago Lindholm won the WRC3-class in WRC Secto Automotive Rally Finland and renewed his victory in Spain. In the overall standings the duo drove to 12th place.

 

“Great rally and everything went as planned. This was a second WRC3-class victory in a row so I can’t be anything else than happy. This is a fun rally. Lots of smooth and even asphalt, which is a bit like driving on a circuit”, Lindholm says.

“This year lot of turns were cut and it is difficult to prevent turns on the asphalt, because its obstacles should be placed on the road, which is not a good thing. When turns are cut as drastically as here then the car and tires are taking all the hits. In particular the inner edges of the tires made contact all the time. We had no worries throughout the competition. The car and tires worked great”, Lindholm says.

 

Lindholm was unable to increase his World Championship points with his victory in Spain, as he already has scored points in the first seven rounds of the World Rally Championship series. Lindholm continues in third place of the WRC3-class’ World Championship points. The nearest threat Chris Ingram drives nine points away from Lindholm.

“I don't know (Chris) Ingram's program and if he's going to Monza. But we can't do anything else than watch from the sidelines and wait what is our place going to be”, Lindholm reminds.

 

“This has been a great season overall. We got to drive a lot and had good results. There are many moving parts in this that make all of this possible. A big thank you to all the partners and those involved”, Lindholm smiles.

“There is definitely a season behind us that has taught us a lot and has sometimes been difficult too. Failures also take you forward and bring important experience and learning. During this season, I think I have taken the biggest step forward in my career”, Lindholm says.

 

Plans for next season are still fully open. Lindholm, who won the Finnish Rally Championship in the SM1-class this year, is aiming for an international driving program for next season.

 

“My goal for next season is, of course, to drive in the World Rally Championship series but everything is still open for the future. Time will tell”, Lindholm sums up.

 

Results: Rally RACC - Rally de España, Salou, WRC3:

1. Emil Lindholm – Reeta Hämäläinen (FIN) Škoda Fabia R5 Evo 2:44:31,9

2. Kajetan Kajetanowicz – Maciej Szczepaniak (POL) Škoda Fabia R5 Evo + 28,5

3. Josh McErlean – James Fulton (IRL) Hyundai i20 R5 + 2:57,1

4. Chris Ingram – Ross Whittock (GBR) Škoda Fabia R5 Evo + 3:14,1

5. Armin Kremer – Ella Kremer (DEU) Citroën C3 Rally2 + 7:50,9

 

WRC3-class standings:

1. Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL) Škoda 135

2. Yohan Rossel (FRA) Citroën 127

3. Emil Lindholm (FIN) Škoda 73