Suzuki driver Urmo has finished in the top 15 on rally japan: an event that he contested for the first time with the aim of showing the Japanese public this year's Junior Championship-winning Suzuki Swift Super 1600.
Despite some truly challenging weather and difficult stage conditions, Urmo managed to stay on the road when many of the top drivers fell off, and his Suzuki Swift was entirely reliable throughout the three days and 27 stages of competition. The only problem he experienced on the final leg was an oil leak from the transmission, which was rapidly changed at first service by the Suzuki mechanics.
The result is that he finishes the rally with a class win and a remarkable 15th place overall - in front of many more powerful four-wheel drive cars. Urmo started the rally running towards the back of the field, as car number 79, which meant that he continually had to cope with worsening conditions as the four-wheel drive cars cut up the roads. There were a number of sharp rocks in the road, and without anti-deflation mousse in his tyres, Urmo had to be constantly on the lookout to avoid them.
Having started the final leg of the rally in 16th place, Urmo concentrated on maintaining his rhythm and trying to improve his pace where it was safe to do so. He followed instructions perfectly to bring his car safely back to the finish.
|
