Hyundai WRC2 Rally de Espana at a glance 09.10.2021: Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver Jari Huttunen and his co-driver Mikko Lukka secured a class podium with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 at their home event – marking Huttunen’s third top-three result at Rally Finland. The Finnish crew will be lo

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver Jari Huttunen and his co-driver Mikko Lukka secured a class podium with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 at their home event – marking Huttunen’s third top-three result at Rally Finland. The Finnish crew will be looking to replicate its winning performance from Ypres Rally Belgium as WRC2 returns to tarmac.
 


Joining them will be compatriots Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula in their first outing with the Hyundai Motorsport N team. The crew will be looking to leverage its previous experience of Rally de España, which includes a WRC2 victory in 2017, as it embarks on its first outing with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
 


Huttunen said: “I’m looking forward to the return of tarmac next weekend after our victory in Ypres Rally Belgium. We were able to find a good confidence and rhythm with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 on those roads which we hope will put us on the front foot in Spain. Finland didn’t quite go our way from the start of the rally, so the target is to perform well from the very first stage.”
 


Suninen said: "I'm looking forward to Rally de España with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2. Spain has been one of my all-time favourite rallies. At the same time, it's the best event to feel the balance of the new car on tarmac because of the long curves. There are a lot of new stages in the rally this year, and therefore the pace notes will play an important role next weekend.”
 


Team Principal Andrea Adamo said: “Jari and Mikko have already demonstrated the pace of the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 on tarmac with their impressive victory at Ypres Rally Belgium. We have learned a great deal about the car in its first events, which should put them in a great position for a successful weekend in Salou. We are also pleased to welcome Teemu and Mikko to our team in Spain; they are proven rally talents, and their experience will be invaluable as they get up to speed with our car. We wish both crews the best of luck.”
 




Weekend at a Glance



•    Rally de España opens with shakedown on the morning of Thursday 14 October, followed by the ceremonial start near the Salou-based service park.


•    Friday’s six-stage itinerary features two runs of Vilaplana (20.00km), La Granadella (21.80km) and Riba – roja (14.21km).


•    Saturday is the longest day of the rally, with two loops of Savallà (14.08km), Querol – Les Pobles (19.17km) and El Montmell (24.40km) followed by a short street stage in the heart of Salou (2.24km).



•    Santa Marina (9.10km) and Riudecanyes (16.35km) close the event on Sunday, with the second pass of the latter stage forming the event’s Power Stage.



 

Thomas Villette    , Nicoletta Russo - photo Hyundai