After winter season Tommi Mäkinen Racing Oy moves to old premises. Our new address from April 1st 2012 is going, again, to be Tervamaantie 9 41120 Puuppola, Finland. This change of premises doesn't have any effect to our business.
26.2.2012 - Success for Tommi Mäkinen Racing in Polish aswell as in Finish Rally Championship series
In final weekend of February the group-N and R4 Subaru Impreza WRX STi rally car manufacturer Tommi Mäkinen Racing collected success in Polish and in Finnish Rally Championship series. In Poland Lotos Dynamic Rally Teamin Subaru driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz was complitely on his own pace as he and his co-driver Jaroslaw Baran won Rajd Lotos Baltic Cup event by approximately five minutes gap with their TMR-based Subaru Impreza WRX STi rally car. Furthermore Tomasz Kuchar and his co-driver Daniel Dymurski took silver position in same rally with their Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
At the same time flying Finn Mikko Pajunen, age of 27, drove onto third podium position with his TMR-based Subaru Impreza R4 rally car in Finnish Rally Championship series third and final winter round. Tommi Mäkinen Racing team cordinator mr. Kari Hytönen was very satisfied for the success which were driven by the cars build by the company of four times World Rally Champion. Also mr. Pajunen was satisfied for his performance.
– Everything worked well and me and my co-driver mr. Kaj Lindström were able, again, to drive without any technical difficulties. Stages were in perfect winter conditions and we were able to push good stage times with TMR Subaru R4, Pajunen told.
Now Finnish Rally Championship series enters into three months of spring break and continues in second weekend of June. Mikko Pajunen is currently holding third position in overall classifications and also Tommi Mäkinen Racing is holding third position in Teams Championship standings.
– Next three months will include lots of test and developement work for TMR Subaru R4. In standings I'm just 10½ points from silver position and 24½ points from gold medal. I know that it only requires, for example, one puncture for my rivals in next rounds and standings goes mixed. The fight for the Championship title is still on as I each day learn more and more of this car. I will do everything in my power to step up towards brigher medals, Pajunen promises.
Final results, Rajd Lotos Baltic Cup, Gdansk (Poland) 2012:
1. Kajetan Kajetanowicz & Jaroslaw Baran, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, 2:03:07,1
2. Tomasz Kuchar & Daniel Dymurski, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +4:51,5sec
3. Maciej Rzeznik & Przemysław Mazur, Peugeot 207 Super 2000, +8:08,3sec
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5. Daniel Chwist & Dariusz Burkat, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +10:15,7sec
8. Wojciech Chuchala & Kamil Heller, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +17:40.5sec
Final results FRC Vaakuna rally, SM1-group:
1. Esapekka Lappi & Janne Ferm, Ford Fiesta S2000, 59:26,6
2. Juha Salo & Marko Salminen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, +56,5sec
3. Mikko Pajunen & Kaj Lindström, TMR Subaru R4, +1:33,8sec
4. Ari Vihavainen & Antti Piira, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10, +2:10,3sec
5. Riku Tahko & Markus Soininen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10, +2:27,7sec
Finnish Rally Teams Championship standings 3/7 rounds:
1. Printsport #1: 117 pistetä
2. Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Finland, 88 points
3. Tommi Mäkinen Racing, 73½ points
4. PrintSport #2, 38 points
5. Suzor Rally Team, 12 points
Click and view images from FRC Vaakuna rally 2012:
13.2.2012 - Mikko Pajunen drove perfect result in Rally Sweden with TMR Subaru R4
Flying Finn Mikko Pajunen, age of 29, made a superb job in Rally Sweden which was also his debut run on Swedish snow. After three intense days, 24 special stages and 349,16 kilometres of rallying Pajunen and his co-driver Kaj Lindström finished the demanding and very fast paced event on 17th position in overall classifications. Finns were fastest R4-group car and fifth fastest in group of Super2000 cars.
- The result was what we expected. We were able to drive a trouble-free event and didn't have to take any unnecessary risks, told very satisfied Pajunen.
For the whole three days Pajunen drove on his own pace and kept R4-group lead from the start to finish. He was also faster than reigning Production World Rally Cup champion Haydon Paddon and season 2006 Champion Nasser Al-Attiyah. Pajunen was especially happy for the performance of Tommi Mäkinen Racing Subaru R4.
- At the start of the rally we had some problem on trying to get the car to turn into corners. This was caused by wider tyre which was used in World Rally Championship series. When we made some setup work we managed to get the car suitable for my driving style. Then I was able to drive trouble-free stages and when reviewing the results I can only he very happy, told Pajunen.
In Finnish Rally Championship series Pajunen and Lindström are currently in third position. They try to improve their position in third and final winter round which is to be driven in final Saturday of February in region of Mikkeli.
2.2.2012 - Thierry Neuville improved his speed on snow surface at Tommi Mäkinen Racing rally school - Mikko Pajunen onto bronze podium position at Arctic Lapland Rally
Belgium Citroen DS4 WRC driver Thierry Neuville prepared for forthcoming Rally Sweden and improved his speed on snow surface in three days of rally school which was organized by four times World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen and his Racing team.
During his career Neuville has won two IRC and one JWRC event. From Tommi Mäkinen Racing rally school he received lots of experience and know-how to compete on loosy snow and ice surfaces.
In three intense, and very chilly winter school days Neuville was able pick up his speed with techers like Tommi Mäkinen, Kaj Lindström and Tapio Laukkanen. After having excellent runs on three different pace and legendary Rally Finland stages he joined to the group of potential Rally Sweden winning candidates. Rally Legend Tommi Mäkinen strongly believes for the success.
- Since 2008 Neuville has primary competed on tarmac and gravel. He entered to our rally school for improving his skills on snow and icy surface. In three school days Neuville showed his professionality, internalized the teachings and showed his talent. I wouldn't be surprised for his success in forthcoming Rally Sweden, Mäkinen tells.
Mikko Pajunen 3rd fastest in Arctic Lapland Rally with TMR Subaru R4
Flying Finn Mikko Pajunen, age of 28, continued his podium finishes and celebrated 3rd fastest performance in Arctic Lapland Rally which was driven on final weekend in surroundings of Rovaniemi.
In a ten demanding and fast-paced special stages and approximately 233 special stage kilometres Pajunen and his co-driver Kaj Lindström steadly drove special stage positions 3 and 5. In a highly appreciated rally, which was driven in perfect winter weather, Pajunen again showed his talent and collect third highest Championship points for him and for Tommi Mäkinen Racing. In overall standings Pajunen is also in third position as there are still five rounds to go.
Also team manager Tommi Mäkinen was very satisfied for the strong performance.
- Mikko has high motivation and is very determinated for success.
I strongly believe that he will challenge winner Esapekka Lappi and six-times Finnish Rally Champion Juha Salo on next rounds, Mäkinen tells.
In forthcoming weekend Pajunen and his co-driver Kaj Lindström competes on Rally Sweden where they measure their speed against PWRC drivers.
Final results Arctic Lapland rally 2012: SM1 4WD group: Top-5:
1. Esapekka Lappi & Janne Ferm, Ford Fiesta S2000, 1:41:55,0
2. Juha Salo & Marko Salminen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, +37,5sec
3. Mikko Pajunen & Kaj Lindström, TMR Subaru R4, +3:19,4sec
4. Ari Vihavainen & Antti Piira, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, +4:51,5sec
5. Jukka Ketomäki & Kai Risberg, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, +6:05,9sec
Finnish Rally Championship serie standings after 2/7 rounds: SM1 4WD group: Top-5:
1. Esapekka Lappi, Ford Fiesta S2000, 55 points
2. Juha Salo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, 45 points
3. Mikko Pajunen, TMR Subaru R4, 37,5 points
4. Ari Vihavainen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, 24 points
5. Riku Tahko, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X RS, 18 points
Finnish Rally Championship series Teams standings after 2/7 rounds: Top-6:
1. Printsport #1, 85 points
2. Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Finland, 70 points
3. Tommi Mäkinen Racing, 52,5 points
4. Printsport #2, 18 points
5. Jan Dohmen Rally Team, 7,5 points
6. Suzor Rally Team, 6 points
Click and view images from FRC Arctic Lapland Rally 2012:
17.1.2012 - Mikko Pajunen in flames with Tommi Mäkinen Racingin Subaru R4 rally car - Pajunen 3rd fastest
Opening round of Finnish Rally Championship series 2012 was driven in the region of Riihimäki. In a perfect winter rally weather a Flying Finn Mikko Pajunen, age of 27, made a superb debyt run with Tommi Mäkinen Racing Subaru R4 and collect his first-ever podium position and third highest Championship points. Pajunen aswell as team manager Tommi Mäkinen were especially happy for two fastest special stage times, faultless and trouble-free performance.
Pajunen entered the event with highly experienced co-driver Kaj Lindström, who have driven with Kimi Räikkönen in World Rally Championship for past three years. Mikko and Kaj made perfect job and in third stage they collect first-ever fastest Finnish Rally Championship series special stage time for new Tommi Mäkinen Racing Subaru R4 car. Enjoyment and easyness of driving continued on next stages and even detached gear shifter, which happened on final stage, didn't slow them down.
– On first two stages we get to know the car handling on snowy stages and in third stage I put the pedal to medal, told satisfied Pajunen.
– Third position tells us that TMR Subaru R4 car is highly competitive and that our competition went like we had planned it. Now we go toward tests and Arctic Lapland rally which is about to start in a week. Then we head for WRC Rally Sweden with TMR Subaru R4, Pajunen continues.
Team Manager Tommi Mäkinen very satisfied for the results
Four-times World Rally Champion mr. Tommi Mäkinen was very satisfied for the speed which Pajunen showed and happy for the podium finish. Two fastest special stage times on fast-paced snow stages tells that TMR Subaru R4 has huge potential and is very competitive rally car.
– For all of us Mikko demonstrated the thing we already knew that he definitely is the next Flying Finn to enter international rally arenas. Furthermore two fastest special stage times and bronze position tells that our Subaru R4 car is very competitive, Mäkinen joys.
– Now we return to test stage and continue the test and development work for the car. We look forward for the next round, which is to be driven in Arctic Circle and WRC Rally Sweden because Mikko is in flames and our aim is to keep the fire burning, four-times World Rally Champion plans.
Final results FRC Riihimäki rally, overall classifications: Top-5
1. Esapekka Lappi & Janne Ferm, Ford Fiesta S2000 51.47,0
2. Juha Salo & Marko Salminen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4, +12,9sec
3. Mikko Pajunen & Kaj Lindström, TMR Subaru Impreza R4, +28,3sec
4. Joni Nikko & Jarno Ottman, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, +1.02,2sec
5. Jukka Korhonen & Mikael Korhonen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, +1.10,9sec
Finnish Rally Championship standings 1/7 rounds: Top-5:
1. Esapekka Lappi, Ford Fiesta S2000, 22 points
2. Juha Salo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4, 18 points
3. Mikko Pajunen, TMR Subaru Impreza R4, 15 points
4. Joni Nikko, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, 12 points
5. Jukka Korhonen, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 10 points
Finnish Rally Championship Teams standings: Top-5
1. Printsport Racing #1, 34 points
2. Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Finland, 28 points
3. Tommi Mäkinen Racing, 21 points
4. Printsport Racing #2, 6 points
5. Jan Dohmen Rally Team, 3 points
Click and view images from FRC Rally Riihimäki 2012:
