Suninen is crowned European Rally Champion ahead of schedule in Wales

Whilst Suninen and his co-driver Antti Haapala celebrated the greatest success of their careers, Kris Meeke won the tarmac rally around the Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth, a race made all the more challenging by constantly changing weather conditions. An important step towards the title was also taken in the European Junior Rally Championship.

Suninen and Haapala sealed the deal once and for all in Wales. The Škoda driver had already won Rally Poland in the Fabia RS Rally2 of the Portuguese TRF team and had secured a brilliant starting position with second places at the Rally di Roma Capitale and the Barum Czech Rally. His consistency on tarmac and gravel has now paid off.

Teemu Suninen/Antti Haapala: Platz 2 bei der Rally Ceredigion und EM-Titel

Foto: Red Bull

Even so, the Finn had to hold his nerve right until the end in Wales. His last remaining rival, Andrea Mabellini (Lancia), needed to make up no more than nine points on Suninen. After the rally, it did indeed seem as though the outcome might still be decided before the Power Stage. But Suninen set the fastest time on the final special stage – thereby finally securing his first European Championship title.

“On Wednesday, I wasn’t convinced I’d be able to set a fast pace, as I wasn’t feeling well. In the end, we managed to do a good job,” said Suninen after his triumph.

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Toyota-Fahrer Kris Meeke gewinnt EM-Lauf Rally Ceredigion in Wales

Foto: Red Bull

Kris Meeke snatched victory in Wales. The 47-year-old Northern Irishman, alongside co-driver Noel O’Sullivan in the Mevyn Evans Team’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, celebrated his first rally victory on British soil since 2007. For the former World Championship driver, it was therefore a very special success: “That was a great weekend. When everything comes together, it’s incredibly good fun. We’ve finally managed to find a good rhythm.”

Behind Meeke and Suninen, the reigning European champion Miko Marczyk (Škoda) from Poland completed the podium. Scotland’s Max McRae (Škoda) and local hero Meirion Evans (Toyota) followed in fourth and fifth places.

Opel-Pilot Timo Schulz siegt in Wales in der Junioren-EM-Wertung

Foto: ADAC

The Rally Ceredigion also saw a key decision in the European Junior Championship. Opel driver Timo Schulz won the championship over 16 special stages and 191.34 kilometres. His team-mate Tom Heindrichs had been leading by 0.1 seconds on Saturday, but retired on the final day following a crash. This means that only the two official Opel juniors can now win the title – Opel’s seventh European Drivers’ Championship title is therefore already secured. Colin Dünker (Ford) was also forced to retire following an accident, whilst Claire Schönborn (Opel), after a clever drive, finished sixth in the Junior European Championship standings after 636.97 kilometres in total, of which 191.34 kilometres were spread across 16 special stages on the narrow mountain roads of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid-Wales, which were peppered with crests and blind bends.