28.8.2010 - Transmission failure forced Mikko Eskelinen to retire in FRC Vartti rally

A month ago in WRC Rally Finland Mikko Eskelinen celebrated the trophy of best privateer. Now in penultimate Suomi Cup rally round he experienced downside of rallying and suffered his shortest rally ever due transmission failure in start of first special stage of the seven special stages rally.

Eskelinen and his co-driver Arto Kapanen were able to drive only one kilometer from the start of the first stage before parking the car to the side of the stage. Despite retirement Eskelinen still leads the Suomi Cup Rally Championship series by 20 points before final round which is to be driven in final weekend of September.

- At the start of the stage I raised the clutch and immediately a big bang was heard from the transmission. The sound was so bad that I knew something broke up. No matter how carefully I tried to drive, I was forced to retire the event just one kilometre from the start of the stage when oils came out from transmission, Eskelinen tells.

- Dissapointment is very hard because me and Arto had lots of motivation for this rally. Even driving thru the rally and finish it would secure my Suomi Cup title but when I cannot do nothing for medal I just have to forget this dissapointment and start focusing next event, reigning double Finnish Racing Champion tells.

Eskelinens' hot and busy racing season continues in next three weeks in Portugal at penultimate weekend of FIA GT3 European Championship series.

Final results Vartti FRC rally, Suomi Cup 3-class:
1. Janne Mäkilä & Juha Lummaa, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, 51:46,4
2. Jyrki Piira & Aki Maaranen, Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, +12,9sec
3. Mika Eloluoma & Anssi Vatilo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, +1:43,5sec
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retirement. Mikko Eskelinen & Arto Kapanen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, transmission

Suomi Cup Rally Championship standings after 6/7 rounds: Top-5:
1. Mikko Eskelinen, 80 points
2. Jyrki Piira, 60 points
3. Timo Kuivinen, 40 points
4. Janne Eronen 30 points
5. Markku Viitanen, 26 points

My older press releases:
- 31.07.2010 - WRC Rally Finland best privateer trophy for Mikko Eskelinen
- 04.07.2010 - Enjoy and deep dissapointment for Mikko Eskelinen in GT3 Paul Richard
- 20.06.2010 - Lots of Championship points for Mikko Eskelinen in Spanish Jarama
- 13.06.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen in superior Suomi Cup serie lead to WRC Rally Finland
- 05.06.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen 2nd fastest in Spanish GT - Finns conquered podium
- 03.06.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen: My second-ever FIA GT3 weekend in Brno
- 21.05.2010 - New challenge for Mikko Eskelinen at Brno
- 10.05.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen: My first-ever GT3 weekend in a cold British Silverstone Circuit
- 02.05.2010 - Successful season start at Silverstone for Eskelinen and Nygaard
- 24.04.2010 - Iceland ash forced Mikko Eskelinen to prepare in traditional way for race season 2010
- 07.03.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen Suomi Cup rally championship leader after four winter rounds
- 20.02.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen took command in Suomi Cup rally series - 2nd in Rally of Mikkeli
- 08.02.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen enters FIA GT3 European Championship series
- 30.01.2010 - Mikko Eskelinen took podium Finish in Arctic Lapland rally
- 31.12.2009 - Mikko Eskelinen starts season 2010 in Arctic Circle
- Season 2009 GT3 Finnish Racing Championship press releases