Competing in the Finnish Rally Championship with Ford Fiesta Rally4, Raoul Dahlqvist gathered experience with the 4WD Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the traditional Rantaralli, a part of Finnish F-Cup series. The 18-year-old’s 4WD debut was rewarded with strong results.
The official M-Sport partner in Finland, KMS Racing, fielded the 18-year-old Raoul Dahlqvist and co-driver Patric Öhman in the traditional Rantaralli. Debuting on the 4WD Ford Fiesta Rally3, the event was successful as the Finn finished second in the 4WD Cup category and third overall.
-It’s an amazing feeling! The first two stages I was still learning the ropes, but after that I found the rhythm and pace was great, Dahlqvist said.
Competing with the front-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta Rally4 in the FRC series, Dahlqvist felt the step up to Rally3 category was easier than anticipated.
-The car was easy to drive, and it felt natural to me. The jump from Rally4 to Rally3 was easier than I thought, Dahlqvist commented.
In Rantaralli, the French driver Tristan Charpentier was also set to shakedown for ERC Sweden next week but was forced to withdraw before the event.
Finnish Racing Championship continues next weekend with SM Pohjanmaa Ralli, where Dahlqvist will be competing with Ford Fiesta Rally4 in FRC3 category. KMS Racing also fields French driver Tristan Charpentier in the ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia the same weekend.
XLVII Rantaralli results – 4WD Cup category
- Kaspar Kasari, Ford Fiesta R5, 30:14,5
- Raoul Dahlqvist, Ford Fiesta Rally3, +1,2s
- Ville Pynnönen, Renault Clio Rally3, +1,9s
- Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, +40,2s
- Teemu Vesala, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, +58,5s