Sweden provided a dreadful start to Heikkilä’s WRC2 campaign

Mikko Heikkilä’s WRC2 campaign got off to a dreadful start at WRC Rally Sweden. The Finn lost 18 minutes after getting stuck in snowbanks on SS2. On the rest of Friday’s stages Heikkilä delivered superb pace. Despite the strong pace, Heikkilä won’t continue the event.

Mikko Heikkilä and co-driver Kristian Temonen had a disastrous beginning to their WRC2 campaign on Friday morning at the WRC Rally Sweden. The TGS Motorsport’s Skoda driver set off to Friday’s stages from second place after Thursday’s opening super special, but a trip to snowbanks on SS2 costed the Finn a total of 18 minutes. Being stuck cost Heikkilä the fight for maiden WRC2 victory.

-There was a small bump in the braking, but big enough to fully compress the springs and hit the skid plate. It locked the wheels, and they stayed locked for long enough to not decelerate the car enough and we went into the snowbank. A very small incident, but the consequences were heavy and we got stuck, Heikkilä explained.

After getting unstuck from the snowbank, Heikkilä set out to deliver a rally-leading pace. Heikkilä finished in top 4 in all the other stages on Friday and won SS3, but the damage was already done.

-I’m gutted. We had high expectations coming here, and we made a huge effort to be able to be here. We had a thorough and in my opinion a successful preparation, and today’s other stage times reflect that. What ifs are of no use, but let’s go for it – if not for the snowbank trip, we could be leading by pace. The speed is there, and it has never been unclear for us, but there always is something, Heikkilä sighed.

After arriving to the evening service, Heikkilä together with the team and key supporters decided to retire from the event.

-We came to a joint decision that the risk is too big when considering what there is to be gained. As our budget is tight, we can’t afford to take unnecessary risks. I’m deeply sorry to our cooperation partners, the team, and everyone supporting us.