LINDHOLM LANDS WRC2 TITLE
Finland celebrated a clean sweep of titles in 2022, as those of Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen in the main WRC and Lauri Joona/Enni Malkonen in WRC3 were joined by Emil Lindholm/Reeta Hamalainen who sealed the WRC2 crown in Japan.
Season-long points leader and defending WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen left his crown up for grabs after engine issues stymied the second half of his season.
Having reached his maximum number of events, it was down to his Toksport team-mate Lindholm and triple European champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz to try and overhaul him in the final round.
Kajetanowicz crashed out on the Friday morning, leaving his Finnish rival a clear run to the finish.
Lindholm and Hamalainen didn’t have to push, but chose to get stuck into an enthralling battle with WRC2 debutant Sami Pajari and Formula 1 race-winner Heikki Kovalainen, making his WRC debut.
The Hyundais of Gregoire Munster and Teemu Suninen scampered off to the head of the class but Lindholm – son of former WRC driver Sebastian and cousin of double champion Marcus Gronholm – finished third, sealing the title.
“We’ve had troubles and difficult times but I am so grateful to the people who continued to support us,” he said.