Rally Estonia: Nordic and Estonian Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 drivers set sights on WRC2 glory

› The eighth round of the FIA World Rally Championship heads to Estonia, known for its fast, flowing gravel stages that favour confident, high-speed crews
› Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 drivers Lauri Joona and Mikko Heikkilä (Finland), along with local contenders Robert Virves and Egon Kaur (Estonia), are aiming for strong results on home terrain
› Competing in only his second WRC2 points-scoring event this season, Nikolay Gryazin (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) is looking to kick-start his championship campaign in Estonia

Mladá Boleslav, 16 July 2025 – Following three events on the rough, rocky terrain of Southern Europe, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) now transitions to the smooth and fast gravel stages of the north. At Rally Estonia (17–20 July 2025), nine Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 crews will compete for WRC2 points. Traditionally, drivers from Nordic countries set the pace in these conditions.

Now midway through the 2025 season, the fight for the WRC2 title is becoming increasingly tactical. Each WRC2 competitor must nominate seven points-scoring events out of 14 rounds, with only their six best results counting towards the championship. This regulation encourages each driver to select their preferred events. The current top four in the WRC2 standings are Oliver Solberg (Sweden), Yohan Rossel (France), and Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 drivers Gus Greensmith (England) and Roberto Daprà (Italy). Having already scored points at least three times each, none of these drivers will be competing for WRC2 points at Rally Estonia.

By contrast, Rally Estonia will be only the second points-scoring event of the season for Nikolay Gryazin and co-driver Konstantin Alexandrov. Competing in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for Toksport WRT, the Bulgarian-Kyrgyzstani duo secured third place in the WRC2 category at Rally Islas Canarias. Nikolay Gryazin emphasised, “In Estonia, my championship campaign will really begin, and I need a top result to catch up. I love the fast gravel roads in the Tartu area, which suit my Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 very well.”

His strongest competitors are local Estonian crews or drivers from other Nordic countries, several of whom are also competing in Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars. From Finland, Lauri Joona/Samu Vaaleri (MS Munaretto) and Mikko Heikkilä/Kristian Temonen (TGS Worldwide) are always contenders for a WRC2 podium on fast gravel stages. Robert Virves/Jakko Viilo (Toksport WRT) and Egon Kaur/Ermo Veltson (Sports Racing Technologies) will be flying the flag for Estonia. In total, nine Škoda crews will be contesting WRC2 points.

The Delfi Rally Estonia, the eighth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, features 20 stages covering a total of 308.35 kilometres. The rally opens with a ceremonial start in Tartu on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at 18:30 (17:30 CEST), followed by the short show stage ‘Visit Estonia Tartu vald’. After three days of high-speed action, the winner will be crowned at the historic Kääriku Sports Center on Sunday, 20 July 2025 at approximately 14:20 (13:20 CEST).

Did you know, that…
...Rally Estonia only joined the FIA World Rally Championship calendar in 2020?
…four editions have been held since then, except for 2024, when Rally Estonia was part of the FIA European Rally Championship?
…on three occasions, WRC2 was won by then-Škoda factory driver Andreas Mikkelsen, who is not currently competing in the championship?
…Rally Estonia features some of the fastest stages in the WRC season, with average speeds regularly exceeding 120 km/h?

Standings WRC2/Drivers (after 7 of 14 events)
1 Oliver Solberg (SWE), Toyota 85 points
2 Yohan Rossel (FRA), Citroën, 82 points
3 Gus Greensmith (GBR), Škoda, 57 points
4 Roberto Daprà (ITA), Škoda, 49 points

Standings WRC2/Teams (after 7 of 14 events)
1 PH Sport, Citroën, 163 points
2 Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT NG, Toyota, 89 points
3 Sarrazin Motorsport-Iron Lynx, Citroën, 64 points
4 Toksport WRT, Škoda, 64 points

2025 FIA World Rally Championship

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