12.7.2008 - Jussi Välimäki was left into fourth position at SM O.K. Auto rally - Championship lead was redecuded into one point

Highly experienced Flying Finnish STC-Meat rally driver Jussi Välimäki and his co-driver Teppo Leino gained group-A 4th position in fifth round of Finnish Rally Championship which was rallied in the region of Kouvola. Välimäki took the best result he was able to rally with his home-made group-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII rally car as three faster World Rally Cars and their drivers were faster than him. STC-Meat rally team was also very fortunate because its' worst rival mr. Ari Vihavainen with his Ford Focus RS WRC'01 rally car were third and gained only two Championship points more than Välimäki.

SM O.K. Auto rally included eight very fast and challenging and highly demanding special stages. The rally was driven in hard condition weather as drivers measured their speed with showers. Välimäki tackled with his speed as his car engine was adjusted below safety levels. Therefore Jussi couldn't match for the speed of World Rally Cars and reigning Finnish Rally Champion was stripped from arms. Välimäki and his co-driver Teppo Leino weren't satisfied for their rally day.

– Before the rally we knew that we couldn't rally the same speed as WRC in the very fast route. During the day we kept our eyes on the speed of Jukka Hiltunen and Ari Vihavainen. When I noticed that I coudn't answer to their speed I decided to take the group-A fourth position and third highest Championship points. Therefore the battle for group-A Finnish Rally Championship is to be continued in final day of August, shared Välimäki his rally strategy.

– Ten Championship points from the home stages of mr. Ari Vihavainen is ten times better than zero points. During this season we've suffered two engine failures and therefore we try to do our best to avoid the third one. In next three weeks I'll be rallying in WRC Finland as a guest entry for PWRC. Wild card for that rally brought us more than equal chances to fight for Finnish Rally Championship title - It gave us lots of non-budgeted expensies. It would have been very foolish to give STC-Meat rally team mechanics extra work and lots of more expensies before WRC Finland. Therefore we started the event with engine which was adjusted below all safety limits, Välimäki continued.

Välimäki was very satisfied for Hankook rally tyres

Seasons 2005 and 2007 in Asia Pacific Rally Championship series gave Välimäki more than one Championship and one silver medal. In long, demanding and very exotic conditions Välimäki gained lots of very valuable experience from rally tyres and their suitability for different kind of conditions. Hankook Manufacturer rally driver was very happy for the tyres which gave him third highest Finnish Rally Championship points.

– We have lots of reasons to be very satisfied for the results Hankook rally tyres gave us. The time we lost due our engine, we were able the gain it lots back with Hankook grip, shared Välimäki his regards for Hankook rally tyres

World rally car for two final Championship rounds?

Before two final rounds for Finnish Rally Championship serie Välimäki aims for PWRC victory in WRC Finland. Jussi Välimäki and his co-driver Teppo Vekka was given a so. called wild card for the PWRC. After WRC Finland Välimäki aims to be double Finnish Rally Champion. At this point he and his team thinks of renting a World Rally Car for the one or both events.

– For the title we live very intense moments as STC-Meat rally driver Jussi Välimäki leads the Championship with one point against his fellow competitor mr. Ari Vihavainen. Because it seems like in gravel we cannot match for the speed of mr. Vihavainen with our group-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII rally car we seek all possibilities for renting a World Rally Car for two final Championship rounds. I think we make a huge mistake if not to consider that an option as there are still two Championship rounds to be rallied, told team manager Tero Gardemeister.