27.1.2008 - Jari Ketomaa did start to defend his title with 3rd place at Arctic Lapland Rally

The first round of the Finnish Rally Championship took place in north of Finland at traditional Arctic Lapland Rally. Rally route was in good form and temperature was not too cold, around -12 degrees. In the two-day event there was totally 12 special stages.

Before the rally it was announced a new team, Subaru Dealer Team Finland, which is run by Tommi Mäkinen Racing. Drivers in the team are reigning Finnish Champion Jari Ketomaa and Teemu Arminen, who was 5th in last years championship.

Jari Ketomaa started the rally strongly and took second place behind Mitsubishi driver Juha Salo. After six demanding stages difference between two leading drivers was 36 seconds. Teemu Arminen was also happy with his results and he was holding 5th place only three seconds behind 4th place.

Second day of the rally started well with Subaru-duo, but in SS 9 Arminen had to retire after hitting the snow bank too deeply.

- There was only some spectators in that point and it took as nearly an hour to get back on the road. Our retirement was a pity, because 4th place could have been well possible for us, Arminen reported.

In Ketomaa´s Impreza they made in the service some new suspension settings, but this time the winning pace was too fast. Eventually Ketomaa lost his second place in the end just by 2,4 seconds.

- To finish 3rd place was not what I was aiming. We did everything we could and I was driving maximum, and sometimes also over that limit. I did visit a few times in snow banks, but luckily not lost many time. In the next events my aim is to fight for victories, told Ketomaa.

The second round of Finnish Rally Championship "Peurunka Rally" will take place on 16 February 2008 in Laukaa.

Just a week before that Subaru Dealer Team Finland duo will compete in the second WRC round, Swedish Rally.

Results you can find here: www.arcticrally.fi/tulokset.html

Group N, Championship points after 1/7 rounds:
1. Juha Salo, Mitsubishi 24
2. Kosti Katajamäki, Mitsubishi 20
3. Jari Ketomaa, Subaru 16
4. Marko Kakko, Mitsubishi 13
5. Pekka Keski-Korsu, Mitsubishi 10
6. Heikki Westerlund, Mitsubishi 8
7. Tommi Luostarinen, Mitsubishi 6
8. Jani Salomaa, Subaru 5