Jari-Matti Latvala wins the Olympus Rally and a one-two finish for Toyota

To mark the event's fortieth anniversary, Jari-Matti Latvala stepped away from his role as Team Principal to return to his driving roots at the Olympus Rally. Behind the wheel of his Toyota GR Corolla RC2 and supported by Tuukka Shemeikka, the boss of the Toyota team in WRC secured his first victory in the American Rally Association National Championship.

The Finn finished seven minutes ahead of local rider Seth Quintero, who is using the same bike for the entire season. This result gives the Japanese manufacturer a fantastic one-two finish, all the more welcome as Quintero failed to finish the previous race. Rally from Missouri. This double victory was far from certain before Tom's incident. Williams on her Škoda with only two stages remaining, thus paving the way for Quintero. The third step of the podium went to Lia Block, the former driver of F1 Academy and daughter of the late Ken Block.

 

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At the end of the 326 kilometers of gravel stages, Latvala dominated the competition, setting the fastest time on all but one stage, which went to four-time American champion Brandon Semenuk (Ford Fiesta Rally2). An overheating rear differential ruined the Canadian's race on the second stage, leaving the way clear for the Finn to seize an expected victory. This win also marks the first victory for the reigning European Historic Rally Champion in a modern car in three years.

Jari-Matti Latvala will, however, very quickly resume his duties as team principal. Toyota Gazoo Racing is now setting its sights on the Canary Islands Rally, where the team will have a full roster. After skipping the round in Croatia, Sébastien Ogier will indeed make his grand return to the Spanish island.

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