Offroad

Raision was the first trial in 1998 with cup value. One of the favourites, Team Salonen, have finalized building their new machine, Moggster. Raisio Trial had 16 sections designed to be driven twice. Due to the length of the sections, the five last sections of the groups II and III had to be cancelled. None the less, the program was running late and the last vehicle was out of the finishing section at 9 pm.

On Group II, the suspense remained until the last section, where Ville Viikari took 10 points touching twice the markings. First competitor Timo Eklund did not loose his nerves and kept the pressure to other competitors driving through clean, no penalty points for him. Harri Parkkinen, last years champion, came third. Olli-Pekka Aromäki came fourth with his Volvo. He lost his chances to win on section No. 8 for roll-over.

On Group III, the toughest comptetition was between Petri Mattson, Team Salonen and Seppo "Popo" Harri Luukkanen. Team Salonen led by two points before the last three sections. Luukkanen and Mattson finished even. Team Salonen failed the last section taking 8 penalty points. Häkkinen rose from fourth position up to third before Team Salonen. Petri Mattson and Harri Luukkanen had to repeat sections to get the winner. Seppo "Popo" Luukkanen did not succeed and came second. Mattson celebrated his "well-earned" trophy.

(i) & (ii) Timo Eklund and Tero Toppi won group II
(iii) Olli-Pekka & Volvo - best non-Toyota in group II

- Ari Myllyla

Go to the 1998 season and Finland pages