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Gronholm wins home round of Finnish championship

Finland's Niclas Gronholm used the break in the FIA World Rallycross Championship schedule between the Canadian and French rounds to compete in a round of the Finnish Rallycross Championship last weekend at Oulu, where he claimed his first victory of the season in a Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Supercar, similar to the car he drives for the OMSE team in World RX.

The reigning Finnish champion, who claimed three victories on his way to the title last season, beat Janno Ligur and former Euro RX Supercar podium finisher Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme in the final.

"At this point in my career it's important to race a lot, and racing a Supercar is the best way to learn. It has been quite a tough year so far, without winning anything, so it's kind of a relief to get a win," said Gronholm. "It's always a lot of fun to drive a Supercar and it is also good for my sponsors to do some Finnish events, and for people to get to know you better. The track wasn't a typical rallycross track. It had a lot of tarmac but suited me fine and I liked racing on it."

Gronholm used the event to help with his preparations for the eighth round of World RX at Loheac at the start of September, where he will be joined in the OMSE squad by stand-in team mate, Yann Le Jossec. "We have had a third driver in the team at some events earlier this year so I'm used to having another team mate and I think it will be interesting to see what Yann can achieve with the car," said the Finn. "I'm hungry to grab another semi-final spot and maybe with a bit more luck challenge for a place in the final. It wont be easy to race on a new track for me again in France but I'll do my best!"

Zdroj: fiaworldrallycross.com