Nuorala wins three-in-a-row

The Volvo crew of Jaska Nuroala and Antti Leinonen continued their perfect start to the 2011 F-Cup season with a third win from three rounds on the Betoni-Lehto rally.

The pair dominated the final event of the winter season, despite the fact that the field was even stronger than usual thanks to the inclusion of five-time and reigning Finnish Rally Champion, Juha Salo. At the wheel of a Toyota Starlet, Salo did his best to beat the F-Cup regulars, but ultimately had to settle for fifth place.

Salo started the rally well, posting the fastest time on Special Stage 1 but the overall lead then switched constantly as the event went on.

VW Golf driver, Timo Jaakonsaari, led by four seconds heading into the final stage, but dropped to third during the last test as Nuorala grabbed the overall win and Mercedes driver Jere Rekola moved into second place.

In the Seniors class, Risto Föhr was victorious in his BMW M3, while reigning B-Junior champion Kalle Liimatainen scored his first A-Junior win in a Toyota Starlet. Raine Hautakangas claimed B-Junior honours for the first time, also in a Toyota Starlet.

F-Cup results – Round 3, Betoni-Lehto rally

1) Jaska Nuorala- Antti Leinonen Volvo 240 43:05.1
2) Jere Rekola- Tero Jäntti Mercedes 190 + 6.0
3) Timo Jaakonsaari – Risto Pasanen VW Golf 19 GTI + 7.2
4) Tero Salminen – Pasi Törmä Volvo 240 + 13.5
5) Juha Salo – Timo Heinonen Toyota Starlet + 16.6
6) Matti Nikander – Juha Kautto Toyota Corolla GT + 34.0
7) Joonas Kolehmainen – Noora Saarinen Toyota Starlet + 36.4
8) Toni Kuhanen – Aki Maaranen Toyota Corolla GT + 50.3
9) Jari Toivonen – Timo Heikkilä BMW M3 + 1:04.1
10) Sami Sundell – Juha Kunttu Honda Civic Type R + 1:11.1

Championship standings (after 3 rounds)

1) Jaska Nuorala Volvo 240 132 points
2) Jere Rekola Mercedes 190 118
3) Toni Kuhanen Toyota Corolla GT 106
4) Matti Nikander Toyota Corolla GT 98
5) Timo Jaakonsaari VW 19 Golf GTI 93
6) Tero Salminen Volvo 240 86
7) Sami Sundell Honda Civic TypeR 85
8) Teijo Karjalainen Opel Astra GSi 65
9) Mika Rantasalo Opel Kadett GSi 64
10) Olli Lavikainen Volvo 240 56

Next round: 21 May, Uusikaupunki Rally

Watch F-Cup highlights from the Betoni-Lehto rally on Friday 18 March at 10:05pm (UK time).


Andy Wilkinson

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