Challenging ​start for Heikkilä in WRC Portugal

Mikko Heikkilä’s Rally Portugal has started off roughly, as the Škoda driver sits ninth in the WRC2 class. The rally concludes on Sunday with six special stages.

The second WRC2 event of the season for Mikko Heikkilä and co-driver Kristian Temonen has begun on a difficult note. Driving for Finnish team TGS Motorsport in a Škoda, the duo ended the second full day of competition on Saturday in ninth place in their class.

The difficulties began even before the event, as the selected pre-event test stage did not match the actual rally conditions. These pre-event challenges were reflected in Heikkilä’s performance on Portugal’s gravel stages.

-The mistake was already made during testing, as the road we chose didn’t reflect the rally conditions, and we’re paying a high price now throughout the entire event. Our tire choice on Friday morning was wrong, and even as the weather warmed up, things didn’t really improve. We’ll try to come up with something during evening service, Heikkilä explained.

Heikkilä started Saturday with two fourth-fastest stage times, following setup changes made during the previous night’s service. However, the time gap had already grown, and Heikkilä ended the day ninth in the WRC2 class.

-Today’s stages suited the car setup better, but still, the car slides too much, and we’re losing time. It was a clean day from our side and better in terms of driving, but pace-wise, we’re far from where we should be. Considering the situation, the driving itself has gone well, but it’s frustrating because I know I’m capable of much more, Heikkilä admitted.

Rally Portugal continues on Sunday, May 18, with six more special stages.

WRC Portugal results in WRC2 – SS 18/26:

1. Oliver Solberg             3:08:12,2            SWE

2. Gus Greensmith        +50,1                    GBR

3. Yohan Rossel               +55,6                    FRA

9. Mikko Heikkilä          3:59,8                   FIN

Rally Portugal schedule:  

Sunday 18.5. – 72,16 km

06:43 SS19 Paredes 1 – 16,09 km

07:48 SS20 Felgueiras 1 – 8,81 km

08:35 SS21 Fafe 1 – 11,18 km

09:58 SS22 Paredes 2 – 16,09 km

11:03 SS23 Felgueiras 2 – 8,81 km

13:15 SS24 Fafe 2 – 11,18 km