3.5.2026 - Punctures caused troubles for Mikko Eskelinen in season 2026 edition of Rallye Ciudad de Pozoblanco - Toyota junior drivers collect trophies
13th edition of Rallye Ciudad de Pozoblanco, which was driven in first weekend of May 2026, delivered a great experience for Flying Finns Mikko Eskelinen, age of 53, and his co-driver Arto Kapanen, age of 63, in the cabin of Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Despite having two punctures and finishing the event in 11th position in overall classifications, the Finns we're satisfied for the superb rally weekend.
The highly demanding rally included eight special stages and 97,54 special stage kilometres. Eskelinen droev the qualifying stage in 8th fastest pace, but he was also given a one minute penalty for a mixup which happened in time control. Therefore Calm Competicao drivers entered the stages as 2nd car and sweeped and cleaned the stages from loose gravel.
Slippery conditions and two punctures caused time loss so that GTM Motorsport drivers finished the event in 11th position in overall classifications.
- Before the event I had hoped for that I could have driven a trouble-free rally and enjoy competing with a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 which was designed and build in my Finnish home city, Jyväskylä. However, as things hardly goes as planned, the competition was more survival than enjoyment. Slippery surface and two punctures cost us lots of valuable time, Eskelinen tells.
- Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 is definitely the best rally car I've ever competed during my 19 year career. Three cylinder engine delivers power and the car is easy to handle. Many thanks for my sponsors and partners and especially specators and fans for supporting us during the event. It was very nice to see that rally culture in Spain is in very high level, Eskelinen continues.
Intense event was won my estonian Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Jaspar Vaher. Finns collect success as co-drivers Pekka Kelander, Jussi Lindberg and Mikael Korhonen collect overall postiions 2 to 4 with their japanise drivers.
Final results 13th Rallye Ciudad de Pozoblanco, Spain, May 2nd 2026: Overall Top-3::
1. Jaspar Vaher (EST) & Jansen Rait (EST), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 57:55.600
2. Takumi Matsushita (JAP) & Pekka Kelander (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +1:35.900s
3. Shotaro Goto (JAP) & Jussi Lindberg (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, +1:57.900s
--- 11. Mikko Eskelinen (FIN) & Arto Kapanen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 04:58.400s
