22.2.2012 Mikko Pajunen aiming to increase his speed in Mikkeli

The Finnish Rally Championship continues over the weekend in Mikkeli. Mikko Pajunen from Jyväskylä is driving his first four- wheel season. Now he is aiming to  increase his speed behind the wheel  of a TMR Subaru Impreza. After two  events Pajunen is third in the  standings.

- The equipment is starting to feel familiar. There haven´t been any major issues in the previous races,  so we can afford to increase our speed. Actually now we have to start driving faster. We will try. Let´s hope the roads will suit us, thinks Pajunen.

Mikkeli Rally will be a homecoming event for Pajunen´s co-driver Kaj Lindström. The rally stars on Friday evening with a Super Special Stage and continues on Saturday.

- He probably knows all the roads, which line is good and where to go over the crests. I don´t think we would even need notes for all the stages. Ok, for sure we will do pacenotes as usual, says Pajunen.

In addition to the two Finnish domestic rallies, Pajunen and Lindström also took part in the WRC Rally Sweden. In Sweden the car felt slightly odd due to the WRC tyre regulations.

- In Finland we go back to the familiar, narrower Pirelli. It suits this car much better, knows Pajunen.

The event in Mikkeli ends the Finnish rally winter season.

Text: Miiro Koivula

Photo: Marko Mäkinen

15.2.2012 Mikko Pajunen drove perfect result in Rally Sweden with TMR Subaru R4

Flying Finn Mikko Pajunen, age of 27, 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.

Text: Jani Kekoni

Photo: Pierre Skytt

8.2.2012 Career building for Mikko Pajunen in Rally Sweden, The Finn to compete against the worlds top drivers

Mikko Pajunen will compete against the top WRC drivers on Rally Sweden. The Finn from Jyväskylä drives in a Tommi Mäkinen Racing four-wheel drive turbocharged Subaru Impreza. His co-driver is experienced Kaj Lindström.

The Swedish event is only Pajunens third WRC start.

- The first goal is of course to finish. I cant really compare my speed to the others. That side of things is still unknown. Lets see how things get going, says Pajunen.

Previous highlights of Pajunens career are for example the Spirit of the Rally award from Neste Rally Finland in 2011 and two successful campaigns in the British Rally Championship. Last season Pajunen won the British R2-class championship.

This year Pajunen concentrates on the Finnish Rally Championship. He is third in the standings after two events.

- The car in Sweden is the same as in Finland. Tyres have changed, because in the WRC you have to use slightly different, wider tyres than in Finland. We drove a good test on Saturday, and the car seems to work well, tells Pajunen.

Rally Sweden starts on Thursday and continues until Thursday. The rally centre is in Karlstad. On Friday the route crosses to Norway.

Text Miiro Koivula

Photo Marko Mäkinen