The young finnish driver awarded Colin McRae Flat Out Trophy at IRC Barum Czech rally in Zlin.

Having to contend with a gear box problem at the end of the first stage, the Tommi Makinen racing team supporting Jarkko on a Subaru Impreza R4 STI worked wonders to change the damaged gearbox in only 18 minutes. This meant he could continue in the competition, although with some time penalty. He soon settled into his “flying mode” style and managed a third best overall time during one of the stages, knocking off seconds from his rivals in a bid to recover the lost time.  The extreme slippery conditions in the latter stages which included rain at times, also caused him to go off the track in an accident which meant the race was over for him and his co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo.

However recognition and praise came from all quarters, including the other professionals themselves, and in the end his disappointment and not being able to continue turned to one big smile when he was informed at the end of the Rally he had been awarded the prestigious Colin McRae Flat Out Trophy for his pace.

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