The KymiRing at Kausala in Finland saw its inaugural Rallycross event this weekend (June 14-15) with the 2025 RallyX series visiting the venue. KymiRing is also set to host a round of the 2025 FIA World Rallycross Championship in August later this season. Maiko Tamm (Ford Fiesta Mk7) from Estonia won the RallyX event in the 4WD Open class.
Initially foreseen as a double header event it was decided to run the event as a single header after Friday’s free practice was concluded. The Stewards of the Meeting followed a proposal from the organizer, the promoter and the drivers regarding the state of the track after the free practice. Running the event as a single header – with four qualifying heats – provided the organizer with sufficient time for the much needed track maintenance between the qualifying heats, semi-finals and finals. In addition the number of laps was reduced by one, i.e. 3 laps in the qualifying heats and 4 laps in the semi-finals and finals.
The event – part of the so-called ‘North League’ of the 2025 RallyX series – had a total of 18 entries in the “4WD” class with drivers from the nordic countries Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia and Estonia as well as from USA, Jamaica, France and Belgium. After qualifying two Finnish drivers were on top of the ranking with Joni Turpeinen (Ford Fiesta Mk7) and Anton Seppä (Škoda Fabia Mk3). The latter was fastest in Q3. Estonian Maiko Tamm, who was fastest in Q4, qualified third ahead of Ulrik Linnemann (Ford Fiesta Mk7) who made Q2 his on Saturday. Also on Saturday, Casper Jansson (FC2) was fastest in Q1 and qualified fifth. Jansson was also the best FC2 qualifier.
A most interesting 4WD Open first semi-final was then won by Maiko Tamm ahead of Fraser McConnel (FC2) who beat Turpeinen – who had to deal with a puncture – on the finish line. The second semi-final was dominated by Anton Seppä who led it from start to finish. Front row starter Ulrik Linnemann, who got stuck in the first corner after the start, eventually made it to second still. In the 4WD Open final Maiko Tamm had the better start, came out of the first corner leading the field and had it under control from there. He passed through the joker lap section in the last lap with a comfortable lead. The main battle in the final was behind the Estonian with Anton Seppä and Fraser McConnell battling it out for second. The Finn was able to pass McConnell in the beginning of the final lap and then resisted the pressure of the Jamaican to claim second place. McConnell completed the 4WD Open podium.
Before the 4WD Open final went underway already separate finals took place for the FC2 category and the 4WD Am category. Casper Jansson drove to victory in the FC2 category after he lead the final from lights to flag. Behind him there was a nice battle between Tommi Hallmann (FC2) and Oliver Eriksson (FC2) won by Hallmann who came in second ahead of Eriksson. Anton Seppä won the 4WD Am category beating Mikko Ikonen (Hyundai i20).
Also the Supercar Lites and an Open 2WD category are part of this year’s RallyX series. Wins in Finland went to Frenchman Julien Meunier (Supercar Lites) in Supercar Lites and to Victor Johansson (Mercedes-Benz 190) in Open 2WD.
The RallyX series continues in 14 days time at Älvsbyn (Höghedenbanan) in the north of Sweden with a double header event.
Results
4WD Open – Final: 1. Maiko Tamm (EST), Ford Fiesta Mk7; 2. Anton Seppä (FIN), Škoda Fabia Mk3; 3. Fraser McConnell (JAM), FC2; 4. Joni Turpeinen (FIN), Ford Fiesta Mk7; 5. Jari Tuuri (FIN), VW Polo Mk5; 6. Ulrik Linnemann (DK), Ford Fiesta Mk7 – DNF.
4WD Am – Final: 1. Anton Seppä (FIN), Škoda Fabia Mk3; 2. Mikko Ikonen (FIN), Hyundai i20; 3. Jari Tuuri (FIN), VW Polo Mk5; 4. Mārcis Martinovs (LV), Peugeot 208; 5. Filip Thorén (S), VW Polo Mk5 – DNS; 6. Pasi Penttinen (FIN), Ford Fiesta Mk7 – DNS.
FC2 – Final: 1. Casper Jansson (S), FC2; 2. Tommi Hallman (FIN), FC2; 3. Oliver Eriksson (S), FC2; 4. Elias Svensson (S), FC2; 5. Fraser McConnell (JAM), FC2; 6. Simon Olofsson (S), FC2.
Supercar Lites – Final: 1. Julien Meunier (F), Supercar Lites; 2. Lukas Andersson (S), Supercar Lites; 3. Kevin Daarbak (DK), Supercar Lites; 4. Hampus Hagström (S), Supercar Lites; 5. Tobias Daarbak (DK), Supercar Lites; 6. Roberts Vītols (LV), Supercar Lites.
2WD Open – Final: 1. Viktor Johansson (S), Mercedes-Benz 190; 2. Lucas Gabrielsson (FIN), Toyota Starlet; 3. Mikko Ikonen (FIN), Ford Escort Mk7; 4. Peder T. Jensen (DK), Volvo 240; 5. Christian Jensen (FIN), Ford Escort Mk7 – DNF; 6. Simon Tiger (S), BMW E30 Coupé – DNS.
Standings
4WD Open (3/8): 1. Maiko Tamm (EST), 78; 2. Jānis Baumanis (LV), 59; 3. Anton Seppä (FIN), 58; 4. Joni Turpeinen (FIN), 57; 5. Viktor Vranckx (B), 53; 6. Ulrik Linnemann (DK), 53; etc.
4WD Am (3/8): 1. Anton Seppä (FIN), 56; 2. Mikko Ikonen (FIN), 42; 3. Fraser McConnel (JAM), 25; 4. Casper Jansson (S), 21; 5. Elias Svensson (S), 21; 6. Filip Thorén (S), 13; etc.
Supercar Lites (3/8): 1. Roberts Vītols (LV), 82; 2. Lukas Andersson (S), 74; 3. Julien Meunier (F), 67; 4. Kevin Daarbak (DK), 61; 5. Tobias Daarbak (DK), 60; 6. Hampus Hagström (S), 56; etc.
2WD Open (3/8): 1. Viktor Johansson (S), 67; 2. Sławomir Wołoch (PL), 52; 3. Lucas Gabrielsson (FIN), 52; 4. Emil Hammer (DK), 47; 5. Jon Ny (S), 37; 6. Outi Ikonen (FIN), 33; etc.