Frenchman Sebastian Ogier wins World Rally Championships 2013

BY JOSEPHAT SIROR

FINLAND: A sea of humanity thronged the Finnish city of Jyväskylä to witness the World Rally Championships (WRC).

This years’ Nestle Oil Rally edition kicked off in high tempo attracting thousands of foreign and local residents.

Rally drivers Sebastian Ogier (France), Thierry Neuville (Belgium) and Mads Ostberg (Norwegian) were held up in a tight race only split by seconds.  

Frenchman Ogier cruising Volkswagen wheel stretched way above half a minute lead on second day that also saw two close team Ford racers swap positions. Drivers had to contend with tyre punctures save for the good atmosphere on the final day Friday.

 “Unfortunately the roads have been quite rough on the second passage and they both managed to hit some stones and get punctures so that has made the gap probably too big unless something happens ….” crew member Malcolm Wilson said of the competitors.

Over 100 rally drivers took part amid fierce challenge coupled with fears of tyre incidents and mechanical hitches in the early part of the stages.

The last leg of the stage saw Finnish favourites Mikko Hirvonen and Jarkko Nikara battling on fourth and sixth positions respectively.

Locals race enthusiasts had highly placed their hopes behind own world top drivers but the widening gap from leaders left local drivers battling through the stages to bridge albeit looming finish line.  

Upset Mervi Huisman, a resident in Central Finland and rally enthusiasts expected fellow Finns to win the series.

“We want our own to win but where are they?” posed Huisman on seeing Finn drivers arriving a bit late at the service park.

Earlier, torrent rains hampered the rally in Finland also regarded as the most difficult spot.

On Friday the weather picked on rainy night all the way to early morning, same time as drivers were competing.

However, the rainy town might negatively pose challenge for the sport drivers who already expressed dismay for bad terrain.

Away from the rough tracks, drama unfolded when a traffic officer flagged down a rally car due to a broken screen.

On the other hand, police tightened traffic safety grip leading to disqualification of licenses for over speeding drivers. In one incident, a man was found to have exceeded two times the normal limit.

This years’ edition attracted more than 100,000 spectators who watched the three day World Rally Championship (WRC) event.