Bauhaus Royal Rally of Scandinavia, round two of the European Rally Championship, got underway from 22–24 May and delivered a weekend where the leaderboard rarely stood still. Fast Scandinavian gravel stages, changing fortunes and late heartbreak created a rally that looked decided several times before changing direction again. What initially appeared to be a breakout victory for one young talent eventually turned into a triumph of consistency and survival.
Friday
The action began with a 6.42 km shakedown and Qualifying Stage, where Jasper Vaher immediately became the story of the day. The young Estonian set the fastest time of 2:52.210, ahead of Mikko Heikkilä, Isak Reiersen, Teemu Suninen and Mārtiņš Sesks.
Following the start ceremony in Karlstad, the rally moved into its opening competitive stage, and Vaher once again delivered.
He produced the fastest time of 2:21.3, converting his early pace into the first rally lead of the weekend. Behind him, Patrik Gustafsson finished only +0.3 adrift, while Mikko Korhola completed the top three.
It was a clean and confident opening statement, one that suggested Vaher was not simply chasing stage wins, but potentially something much bigger.
Saturday
Saturday brought seven demanding stages through Värmskog, Gårdsjö, Colins (each run twice) and Stensjön, and the rally quickly turned into an event of constant incidents and shifting positions.
SS2 immediately reshaped the fight at the front. Gustafsson went off the road and dropped dramatically down the standings, while Suninen seized the opportunity, winning the stage and climbing fifteen positions into third overall.
The drama escalated in SS3. Andrea Mabellini struck a rock, losing his rear-left wheel and retiring. Korhola rolled and, after spectators pushed him back onto the road, initially continued before eventually stopping permanently. Sesks suffered a half-spin into a ditch and stalled, while William Creighton overshot a junction during SS4.
Despite the chaos around him, Vaher remained composed.
By the end of the morning loop he still led, with Suninen reducing the gap while Heikkilä quietly maintained third position.
The afternoon brought another wave of incidents. SS6 caught out several crews: Simone Tempestini suffered a front-right puncture, while Vaher also picked up tyre damage. However, unlike many around him, he managed to minimise the losses and retain the overall lead, although Suninen edged closer.
Creighton’s rally ended for the day later in the day after clipping a rock and damaging the front-left suspension.
Then, in SS8, more frustration struck Gustafsson as his main switch unexpectedly shut off after the famous Colin’s Crest jump, costing him additional time and compounding a difficult day.
By the end of Saturday, Vaher still controlled the rally (44:18.5), followed by Suninen (+8.8) and Heikkilä (+14.3)
Sunday
Sunday featured four final stages through Bäckelid, Ängebäckstorp, Lövhöjden and Ölme (each run twice) and initially the morning appeared relatively calm.
But that calm would not last.
The first major twist arrived in SS12. Vaher, who had controlled the rally from the opening stage, suffered an accident at 9.9 km. Although he managed to continue and avoid immediate retirement, the damage and delays proved costly. A subsequent 2:20 time penalty for arriving 14 minutes late at time control completely transformed the rally.
In a matter of minutes, Suninen inherited the lead, Heikkilä moved into second and Sesks climbed into podium.
The afternoon stages continued to remove contenders one by one. SS13 saw Aatu Hakalehto crash at 2.94 km, while Takumi Matsushita rolled and retired shortly after.
SS14 added more drama when Matulka rolled out, while Heikkilä suffered a rear-right puncture. Remarkably, despite the damage, he still managed to set the fastest stage time and preserve second overall.
Then came the decisive moment.
Suninen, who had inherited the lead and appeared on course for victory, saw his rally collapse in SS15 after an accident at 7.1 km forced his retirement. The lead changed hands once again.
Heikkilä moved into first place, Sesks inherited second and Reiersen climbed onto the podium. Philip Allen also retired after an accident, adding another name to an increasingly long casualty list.
Power Stage
The Power Stage delivered one final fight for bonus points. Korhola set the fastest time (4:00.4) ahead of Sesks +0.4, Carlberg +2.1, Nogene, +2.8. Hallberg +3.0, Vaher, +4.4 and Charpentier +4.7.
However, with Hallberg and Vaher later retiring, the final points positions shifted, allowing Charpentier to inherit the final scoring place.
Final Classification
- 1. Mikko Heikkilä
- 2. Mārtiņš Sesks
- 3. Isak Reiersen
What began as a weekend controlled by Vaher ultimately became a rally of missed opportunities and late reversals. While speed repeatedly changed the leaderboard, it was Heikkilä who emerged from the chaos, rewarded not for dominating, but for staying in the fight when it mattered most.
ERC Championship Standings
- José Antonio Suárez – 30 points
- Mikko Heikkilä – 30 points
- Mārtiņš Sesks – 28 points
- Iván Ares – 28 points
- Teemu Suninen – 23 points
