Winter conditions de luxe on friday in Rally Sweden

"Finnish fans had a reason to cheer as Friday's stages concluded with Hyundai driver Esa-Pekka Lappi leading. PHOTO: NIKLAS WESTMAN

You asked for a winter rally, you got a winter rally!
The conditions were tough Friday in Rally Sweden, so tough that not even a couple of world champions were up to the challenge.

When Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak had to park their cars already in the morning, Esapekka Lappi handled the winter conditions best.
But if it was a bit tricky to drive in the morning, it became difficult to drive in the afternoon. The rally's longest stage, SS7 Floda 2, was decided in the dark and with abundant snowfall.
It was difficult to get a grip on the tires, and it was difficult to see further than just a few meters in front of the car.
– One of the hardest stages I've ever driven, said Sami Pajari, and was agreed by Takamoto Katsuta:
– It was quite horrible, but a good experience, he said.

Esapekka Lappi, Hyundai, managed it best and took the lead in the summary in the absence of Rovanperä and Tanak, who both had to retire but will continue the rally on Saturday with no chance of overall victory.
– It's been, for sure, one of the toughest snow afternoons ever. Pretty extreme, even for a Finnish driver. But so far, we have been the fastest. So please, give us more snow, said Lappi.
– It was a really difficult afternoon. You couldn't use the high beam. If you drive 160, it's quite crazy when you can't see; you have to trust the notes.

Home favorite Oliver Solberg, who grew up on winter roads and constant darkness, is in an impressive third place in the summary for the weekend.
– I'm a bit surprised; something must be going right. I had a little problem with the handbrake and couldn't use it how I wanted, which made me lose confidence. But I saved the tires, and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm just hoping for a lot of snow now, said the WRC2 driver.

If it was a bit grumpy inside the cars, it was a much happier mood outside them. The audience poured out into the woods, and during the evening's sprint stretch at the Red Barn Arena, there were heaps of people who got to see both singer Maxida Märak on stage and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson get a real ride with former rally star Jari-Matti Latvala, now team manager for Toyota.
Oliver Solberg was pleased with the crowds.
– This is what a rally is all about. You can see so many people around the stages. He said I occasionally wave to them from the car on the straights.

Rally Sweden continues with SS+ Vännäs 1 early on Saturday morning.