ERC
Vaher tops closely-matched ERC Qualifying Stage
Jasper Vaher has underlined his status as a BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia frontrunner by topping the Qualifying Stage order on round two of the FIA European Rally Championship.
The Junior ERC graduate, part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program, excelled at the wheel of the Pirelli-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 he shares with Rait Jansen, to complete the 6.42-kilometre Träfors stage in 2m52.2s.
“It was quite a lot of pushing but in some places,” the 19-year-old from Estonia said. “It could have gone better so I’m not fully satisfied. But, still, we had a good push. We don’t have any strategy, we just try to learn as much as possible.
“It’s only our first year in Rally2, our first year in four-wheel drive so we try to learn as much as possible and let’s see how it is on the real stages because qualifying is a bit different to the stages. There’s always a possibility [I can win] but I don’t worry myself with those thoughts.”
Heikkilä lost out on the Qualifying Stage win by 0.4s
© ERC
Pirelli-supplied Škoda driver Mikko Heikkila, making his return to the ERC, was second quickest, one place ahead of Hankook-shod home hero Isak Reirsen. Teemu Suninen was fourth fastest followed by MRF-supported Mārtiņš Sesks. Heikkilä, Reiersen and Suninen all enjoyed stints in the Qualifying Stage Hot Seat after they all took turns to set the pace.
Simone Tempestini and Fabrizio Zaldivar were next up with freestyle mountain bike star Brandon Semunuk ninth on his ERC debut. Lancia-powered Andrea Mabellini and Toyota-driving Patrik Hallberg completed the top 10.
Sesks completed the top five for Team MRF Tyres
© ERC
Frank Tore Larsen, reigning ERC champion Miko Marczyk, Benjamin Korhola, Kalle Gustafsson and 2025 Junior ERC title winner Calle Carlberg round out the top 15.
Eyvind Brynildsen, last year’s BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia winner, was 21st quickest after suffering a half-spin. Philip Allen and Gustafsson both reported pop-off valve issues.
Home hero Reiersen was third quickest
© ERC
BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia continues with the Bråtebäcken super special stage from 18:33 local time. Visit the ERC Live Centre for results and live updates.
