Finnish 1/10th Off-road nationals in Vaasa

Last weekend (13-14.6.2015) was the first round of Finnish 1/10 National series at Vaasa. 2wd was on Saturday, and 4wd on Sunday. Both classes had around 40 entries. The same track to host the 2011 IFMAR WC and later this year unofficial WC for over 40 year olds.

Joel Valander came to the track on friday evening to get comfortable with cars. Joel was driving Hobbywing powered Yokomo YZ-2 and Yokomo B-Max4 III with a new addition of Highest servos in his cars.

On Saturday morning the track was pretty wet, but Joel was immediately on pace, and he set fastest time on controlled practice. Then it was time for qualifying. First round was really close battle in top three positions. But round one TQ went to Petri Ström, Karri Salmela finishing second and Joel Valander third. Then Joel started dominating. He TQed all rest three rounds with around two seconds gap to second place. Joel was starting first in A-final, Petri Ström second and Karri Salmela third. Joel was able to cruise to the win in first two legs pretty easily and Petri and Karri was battling behind for second place.

2wd Overall results:

1. Joel Valander / Yokomo
2. Karri Salmela / Associated
3. Petri Ström / Associated
4. Jussi Luopajärvi / Associated
5. Toni Niinivirta / Yokomo
6. Mikko Luopajärvi / Associated
7. Jani Hovi / Yokomo
8. Max Söderlund / Durango
9. Sami Salmela / Associated
10. Oskari Mäki / Associated

On sunday it was time for 4wd class. In practise Petri Ström was on great pace, and others were kinda struggling with the grip because it was pretty wet again. Then it was time for qualifying and first rounds was taken by Karri Salmela. Joel Valander and Petri Ström made couple mistakes and it was easy TQ for Karri. Round two Petri was again on a good pace and he TQed round two, Karri being second and Joel third. In round three Karri was unstoppable and TQed round three, Joel was second and Jussi Luopajärvi third. Then it was time for last round. Karri had to retire, Joel and Petri also had a rough round. Oskari Mäki TQed last round, Joel was second and Petri third. Last round mixed starting grid for A-final.

After qualifying Karri was on pole, Petri second, Oskari third and Joel fourth. First final was dominated by Karri on a pole, but Petri and Joel had a tight race for a second place, but Joel couldn’t find way to pass Petri. In second final Karri crashed on a first lap, and dropped almost to last place. Petri and Joel was racing for second spot side by side almost whole 5-minute race. Petri won with 0.3 second gap to Joel. Last final Joel and Petri had couple mistakes and Karri cruised to victory, Petri finishing second and Joel third.

4wd Overall results:

1. Karri Salmela / Associated
2. Petri Ström / Associated
3. Joel Valander / Yokomo
4. Oskari Mäki / Associated
5. Jussi Luopajärvi / Associated
6. Max Söderlund / Durango
7. Tomi Mairue / Xray
8. Mikko Luopajärvi / Associated
9. Harri Kervola / Associated
10. Ari-Pekka Kyykkä / Xray