Esapekka Lappi, the reigning Finnish Rally Championship titleholder, has voiced his concerns about the future of the series' top class. After deciding to step away from competition, Lappi sees a potential decline in the number of drivers that could threaten the existence of SM1.
Lappi returned to the Finnish national championship last season after more than a decade away. He immediately dominated, winning two SM1 titles, and this season he continued his strong form with five wins from seven rounds. However, he had to concede to young Estonian talent Jaspar Vaher at the Jyvaskyla round in the summer.
“The standard has been pretty decent. Perhaps it could have been better at some rallies. The standard was really high at the Arctic Lapland Rally, which I thought was good. And of course the same applies to Jyvaskyla, where we didn’t win. Jaspar drove really well there and made the most of his starting position, as he should,” Lappi told Rally Journal.
Lappi also highlighted the performances of Lauri Joona, who was strong throughout the season and ultimately finished as runner-up. “To be honest, I perhaps expected him to be faster at the penultimate round in Kitee. I thought he raised his level impressively at Rally Finland, kept Vaher behind him on Sunday and set some good times otherwise as well. But in Kitee, I don’t think he maintained the same pace he had shown in Jyvaskyla. I perhaps expected more from him there. It sounds harsh to say that, but it is simply my opinion,” he added.
What is certain is that SM1 will have a new champion next year, as Lappi is stepping away. Apart from Lappi, only Estonian drivers won rounds this season. Patrick Enok took victory in Imatra at the end of May after Lappi retired.
Lappi also believes it is possible that next year's champion could come from Estonia. “Yes, if drivers come over from there, it is certainly possible. And it would not be the first time, as it has happened before.”
However, his main concern is that if no new drivers step up, the top class could become uncompetitive. “If no new drivers step up, the top class will unfortunately be very depleted next year,” he concluded.
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