Love story gets happy beginning

One of the reasons Tanner Foust is here in Finland is because he fell in love with the look of the Tykkimäki at Kouvola after watching film of the track on YouTube. “It looked insane so I was happy to get it into my schedule. If it rains it’s going to be difficult because others have more experience in those conditions, but in the dry it’s great fun,” said the American who topped the order in timed practice and the first heat, driving away from Liam Doran to record a clear win and get one in the bag ahead of what is forecast to be a wet Sunday.

After the tail end of overnight rain blew away early this morning, the day was dry, the track conditions improving as the surface dried and cleaned, a situation that played into the hands of those with low numbers, and the home racers who know the track, during the timed practice sessions. The Tykkimäki circuit continues to be one that drivers enjoy, the lap containing a challenging mix of gradients, corners and surfaces that provides and enjoyable test. One aspect that many did not like was the tricky jump in the gravel section at the top of the track, this catching out several during practice and appearing to offer just one ‘clean’ line; stray off that and the landing was severe enough to have damaged several cars. The first heat started with a two-car JRX won by Kevin Hansen and the first Super1600 race had been completed when everything came to a halt and the track maintenance crew set to work carving the top off the jump…

The heat had started 30-minutes late and with the further delay, the first Super1600 race came to the grid for a re-run at 1713, the 11 races of the heat then completed in just over an hour.

Behind Foust, Doran set second fastest, a good recovery from a dramatic morning in which leaking power steering fluid caused an engine bay fire. Mats Lysen was quick from the off here and posted third ahead of Timur Timerzyanov who worked hard to beat to Janne Kannerva (eighth) and Davy Jeanney (fifth). Hero of the piece was Sten Oja who manhandled his ageing Lancer E6 to tenth place  in a magnificent effort.

Also on it and driving to the ragged edge, Robin Larsson blitzed the thin TouringCar field while the home side dominated in Super1600, Teemu Suninen leading Joni Wiman and Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme.

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