50th anniversary of Arctic Lapland Rally started Finnish Rally
Championship series in Rovaniemi. The two-day demanding event was a
success for 20-year-old Joonas Tokee.
Peugeot 208 R2 -driver was involved throughout the rally tough battle
for the victory. Tokee and co-driver Jani Salo were leading the SM3
class in opening day while they were the fastest on third special stage.
After the first day of the rally they were second in class, only three
seconds away from leader Jaro Kinnunen.
On the second day it was close again and for the last stage Tokee had 16
seconds to catch-up.
– Last stage was the longest, 50 kilometres, so there was a full chance
to catch the leader and we decided to try maximum, Tokee admitted.
– All those dreams were then buried in the middle of stage as we started
to suffer the snow dust from the car in front of us. Other driver had
suffered a puncture and he slowed us a lot.
– We lost in the end more than a minute to class winner. Of course I was
annoyed when we did not get chance to fight until the end.
– Still this was a positive result as it was my first podium finish in
the Championship level. Prior to his my best was a fourth place.
Positive thing was the fact that we showed our speed was enough to fight
for victory, Tokee declared.
Text: Jarno Saari
