5.2.2024 - Mikko Eskelinen and co-driver Arto Kapanen had one of the best drive in Arctic Rally - 11th position in overall standings among WRC2 rally drivers was excellent result

In season 2008 Flying Finn Mikko Eskelinen, age of 51, drove his first-ever Arctic Lapland Rally. From season 2010 on he's been competing with co-driver Arto Kapanen and now in 59th Arctic Lapland Rally they drove one of their best performance in a rally which was filled with WRC2 rally drivers.

The highly appreciated event included two days of intense rally action. In 12 tricky special stages and 200 special stage kilometres Skoda Fabia EVO drivers secured top-10 times and eventually collect nine Championship points. After two Finnish Rally Championship events Eskelinen and Kapanen are in sixth position in series standings and just 13 points behind silver position driver and Arctic Lapland Rally winner Mikko Heikkilä.

- After two events we've now 300 special stage kilometres more experienced with our Skoda Fabia EVO rally car. Our speed has improved as Dynamo Team has made superb job with the car and developed my skills of competing with modern rally car which requires different type of driving than Ford Fiesta RS WRC. It has taken some time to adjust driving style but we'll get there, Eskelinen shares his thoughts.

- Season 2024 edition of Arctic Lapland Rally was once again a very nice adventure for us. From start of the first stage to the end of 12th stage we were in better speed than in previous rally and therefore we could produce better vicibility for our sponsors and partners. Even we couldn't get into same speed as top WRC2 rally drivers, nine Championship points gives us lots of faith for the next round, Eskelinen continues.

Arctic Lapland Rally was won by season 2022 Finnish Rally Champion Mikko Heikkilä, who also delivered first-ever overall victory for Toyota Yaris Rally2 car. In 200 special stage kilometres Heikkilä was 7,3 seconds faster than reigning Finnish Rally Champion Teemu Asunmaa.

Third and final winter Finnish Rally Championshiup event is to be driven in second weekend of March in region of Tuuri, central Finland.

Final results 59th Arctic Lapland Rally 2024: SM1-group, top-3:
1. Mikko Heikkilä & Kristian Temonen, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 1:41:02.8
2. Teemu Asunmaa & Ville Mannisenmäki, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, +7.3s
3. Roope Korhonen & Anssi Viinikka, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +35.7s
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10. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, +4:15.4s

Finnish Rally Chapionship standings 2024 (2/7 rounds): SM1-group, top-5:
1. Roope Korhonen, Skoda Fabia RS, 45p
2. Mikko Heikkilä, 34p
3. Benjamin Korhola, Hyundai i20, 34p
4. Anssi Rytkönen, Skoda Fabia R5, 26p
5. Teemu Asunmaa, 25p
6. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 21p

Masters Cup standings 2024: top-5:
1. Reijo Muhonen, BMW M3, 32p
2. Ville Ruokanen, Ford Fiesta Rally3, 23p
3. Mikko Eskelinen, Skoda Fabia R5 EVO, 21p
4. Yrjö Martti, BMW M3, 16p
5. Kees Burger, Skoda Fabia R5, 15p

Event videos:
- Compilation: https://youtu.be/By6-rFWZsRU
- Shakedown: https://youtu.be/7Cg0G4TxSdE
- SS1: Aittajärvi #1: https://youtu.be/xuajMjHhywY
- SS2: Mäntyvaara #1: https://youtu.be/C2J-1q5SFu8
- SS3: Siikakämä-Kivalo: https://youtu.be/mqWAVY4jwng
- SS4: Kaihuavaara: https://youtu.be/eaYwkXCik7A
- SS5: Mäntyvaara #2: https://youtu.be/0uzqhQloYt4
- SS6: Aittajärvi #2: https://youtu.be/cV3kiQ7mS2g
- SS7: Siikakämä: https://youtu.be/LxPYvk5aqn0
- SS8: Ounasvaara: https://youtu.be/P0rPc7nTTuI
- SS9: Sarriojärvi #1: https://youtu.be/Kdn-wvOEQXM
- SS10: Patovaara: https://youtu.be/cAe9TWaXn3Y
- SS11: Kemijärvi: https://youtu.be/7HRz2tIarSY
- SS12: Sarriojärvi #2: https://youtu.be/th-EE7tHvfE

Event images