WRC2 CHAMPION 2022

Emil Lindholm Emil Lindholm

WRC2 CHAMPION 2022

Emil Lindholm Emil Lindholm

WRC2 CHAMPION 2022

Emil Lindholm Emil Lindholm

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Lindholm: “A straightforward strategy for the home rally”

30 July 2025

GRX team’s Emil Lindholm and Reeta Hämäläinen head into their home rally with confidence, driving a Toksport WRT Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. “We had a good test last week and everything is in place for the upcoming event,” Lindholm states.

Competing in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for Toksport WRT, Emil Lindholm and Reeta Hämäläinen are preparing for their home event and the fastest individual round of the WRC season. The duo is feeling optimistic.

“Rally Finland is one of the highlights of the season. I haven’t driven on fast Finnish gravel roads for a while, but we had a good test last week. The Škoda is in great shape, and it felt like we’ve adapted well to the new WRC tire supplier. Hopefully the weather stays warm and sunny so both drivers and spectators can enjoy the rally.”

Lindholm notes that this year’s rally route is quite unique.

“In previous years, the route has included slower and more fragile roads. This year, there are only a few soft sections, and the route mostly sticks to traditional high-speed roads.”

“We’re facing a rally where time gaps between the top drivers in each class will be minimal. In Rally Finland, it’s hard to build large leads—or to close them,” Lindholm reminds.

The four-day rally includes 20 special stages. Lindholm highlights three stages he would personally choose to watch:

“On Friday, I’d go to Myhinpää, even though it’s a bit far. It’s a thrilling and spectacular stage from start to finish. On Saturday, Västilä is a great stage. The beginning has fast sections with good visibility, so you can see the car for a long stretch. On Sunday, I’d definitely go to Kakaristo Ouninpohja, where there’s rally action all day, plus a regroup and the rally finish,” Lindholm lists.

Saturday is the longest day of the rally in terms of special stage kilometers. Lindholm believes the key to success lies in consistent performance.

“You need to approach Rally Finland with a straightforward strategy: push hard all the time. Our goal is to be in the fight at the front. We’re aiming for the best possible performance and to enjoy the rally,” Lindholm sums up.

Rally Finland briefly:

Rally Finland kicks off Thursday morning at 9:01 AM with a shakedown stage in Ruuhimäki. The real action begins later that day with the legendary Harju city stage (SS1, 2.58 km) at 7:05 PM.

Friday features nine special stages: Laukaa (SS2/6, 17.96 km), Saarikas (SS3/7, 15.78 km), Myhinpää (SS4/8, 14.47 km), Ruuhimäki (SS5/9, 7.76 km), and a second run through Harju (SS10, 2.58 km).

Saturday is the longest day of the weekend, with eight stages totaling 142.16 km. Four stages are each run twice: Parkkola (SS11/15, 15.51 km), Västilä (SS12/16, 18.94 km), Päijälä (SS13/17, 20.19 km), and Leustu (SS14/18, 16.44 km).

This year’s Rally Finland concludes on Sunday with two runs through the legendary Ouninpohja (SS19/20, 23.98 km), the second of which serves as the Power Stage. The rally celebrations take place in Kakaristo, Jämsä, starting at 2:15 PM.