In Finland, Jari Huttunen, a two-time podium finisher in the ERC, claimed victory on IsoValkeinen SM-Ralli Kuopio, albeit by a slender winning margin of 2.1 seconds.
Across the Baltic Sea in Estonia, Georg Linnamäe, who bagged his maiden ERC podium in Fafe last season, scored a class win and second overall behind FIA World Rally Championship star Ott Tänak on the Otepää Talveralli.
Several drivers with recent ERC experience were also competing on the Estonian championship opener. Gregor Jeets finished a fine third overall, while Kaspar Kasari took a class podium on his way to sixth position in the outright classification.
Elsewhere in Ireland, Double ERC podium finisher Josh Moffett finished second overall on the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally.
In Sweden, Fredrik Åhlin impressed on his first competitive start since 2019 by finishing Rally Lima, the opening round of the national championship, in third place. The 31-year-old, who completed the Rally Liepāja podium in 2018, was co-driven by Joakim Sjöberg, whose ERC career included guiding Emil Bergkvist to the Junior ERC crown in 2015.
Junior ERC graduate Dennis Rådström was also in action on Rally Lima and finished a strong fourth, his first event since 2021.
The 2023 ERC season begins on Rally Serras de Fafe from 10 - 12 March.
Photo: Taneli Niinimaki / AKK
Finland
Italy
Hungary