Submitted by tango on Mon, 2007-01-29 19:25.
This event was known to be the last event for this winter season. Marko had decided that now it´s time to take risks and just push as hard as needed. It was late Friday evening when the car was taken to the trailer. We noticed there is something wrong with the ignition and charging the battery. Ok we had no chance to take any action before the event so we just decided to do our best to get car working properly in the morning just before the start for the event. We changed the sparking plugs and managed to get ignition work better but not perfect at all. The stage was totally new for rally sprint use. Very diffecult narrow stage with very tight corners and many tricky corners were included to the stage.
Just few minutes before the start the car got ignition failure once again...it was so frustrating to have this same problem again. Ok Marko started the stage and it was very slow start...first kilometer was totally disaster for us. Then Ford started to work better and Marko was pushing hard to get the right feeling about the stage for the second round as first try was already spoiled. It was a suprise that the we were not the slowest car on the event at all :) many cars went off road as stage was very diffecult.
Before the second round the drivers had a chance to see the stage condition. Marko joined a group of drivers who went to see the stage. There were tragic episode and one of the drivers need to take in to hospital after some convulsions. Marko did his best to help the driver before the ambulance arrived...it took 8 minutes but felt like 30 minutes. Our team really hopes that everything goes well for this driver!
Marko managed to improve the ignition and also found a failure from the trimming for valves. Luckily we had time enought to fix the car. The second round started well and Marko decided to improve maybe 10 seconds in 4 km stage if car is working ok. We still got some problems in ignition so it was not 100% power in use...but after driving 1 km the car started to work properly and Marko was trying to push really hard. Few corners we had some close calls and then Marko faced bigger problems. One very long corner to left was in very bad shape and there were too much speed to survive the corner. The car took a jump from a rut and hit several trees and rolled heavily. Race was over for us! The time in that corner was 6 second faster than in first round so we really had a maximum attach in use. The body of the car and rolling cage was not so bad but the doors and windows etc were broken of course. But as we learned on that day...it is not so serious if the car gets hurt. The health of the drivers is always most important. Now it´s time to rebuild the car back to good shape again. It almost feels like routine :)
If you have some interesting pictures or video from the event, we would be very pleased to have some: marko.kytomaki@tangoteam.com
We had only seven hours time to sleep and prepare for Toivakka Rallisprint after the Peurunkaralli we took part in Saturday. Then event was part of 100 years anniversary for Toivakka municipality. The stage was one of Markos favourites and Marko knew the stage well. The weather was ok but chilly. We thought it would be best to get the good result for the first round already. This year there were three rounds to drive...exellent idea from the rallysprint organizer Toivakan Autourheilukerho.
Marko started the first round with full attack. In the first corner Marko had a close call already and it took lot of time to get the car back to line. it was very slippery and Marko had maybe too hard slides to get the good result. The finish line position was changed from last year and it was placed right after the crest. It was exiting moments to push hard until the fininsh line. For the second round Marko decided to took it more easily and try to keep the car on better surface to get more grip. The stage started well and the first section went very well. There were two cars that had driven off road...one of them just 30 seconds ago and Opel Ascona was very close to road so Marko was forced to brake heavily and took it easily. The time was still 2 seconds better than first try. So it was good idea to keep the car on more clean line to maximise the grip. It was nice to have one try left. Marko had nothing to loose so he decided to push it hard. The grip was extremely bad in one section that had tarmac under the ice. Otherwiese the stage went very well and Marko managed to improve 3 seconds more quite easily. Many of competitor got a good time in first try already so the final result for Marko was not too good.
We had a great weekend and the biggest supise was to have car as undamaged and in good condition after two hard events. Now it is easy to take part the next event again. We might take part one rally and one rallysprint this winter.
The first rally for the season was Peurunkaralli located in Laukaa, Finland. Marko was participating the event together with his co-driver Antti Ahonen. It has been a dream for us to drive a rally in Laukaa and stages like Valkola and Lankamaa that are better known from Neste Oil rally Finland. Marko was about to take part Toivakka rallisprint next day so it was one target to take car to finish as undamaged. This was the first winter rally for Marko and also for his Ford Escort.
1. stage was close to Laukaa. Beginning of the stage was very fast but narrow road. After the first junction there were nice jump and we jumped hard but landing went well for us. Marko took the stage easily maybe to make sure to have a chance to drive next Valkola stage too. Time for the stage was not so good nut good start for the rally in any case.
2. stage was legendary Valkola stage that was more familiar to Marko and antti as well. Marko got good rythm for his driving and the stage was good for Escort. Stage went well exept the last tight junction to right where we had a spun in front of our friends that were taking photos and were cheering for us…nice. We lost maybe 10 seconds but it was important that car was undamaged and Marko avoid hitting the mailboxes next to road. Time for the stage was still good and it was good to see that speed was finally found. It was a suprise for all of us that we managed to get the car to service area in good condition without any problems.
3. stage was long stage named Lankamaa. It´s more than 20 kilometres to drive and try to focus as much as possible. Beginning of the stage was tricky and many competitors went off road and retired. Marko took those places very carefully…even too carefully and lost a lot of time in these first corners. Once we almot stopped in place where Civic was rolled few minutes ago. Then it started to get better and better and we got a good rhytm. In the end of the stage we had lack of power and lights were not so good as shoud be. Also the engine stalled few times in junctions because of lack of power in ignition. We managed to avoid all tricky places without crashes but got a lousy time…but hey…it was still so much fun and exiting. This was the stage where Marko were wondering years ago that would be nice to drive a rally some day some year…now the time has come…yeah!
4. stage was the last stage and finish line for the rally was right after finising the stage. So we were so close to reach the finish line. First kilometres were very fast and Marko took it easily. Then he decided to improve the driving and took more risks. Few times we had some close calls but managed to avoid going off road. No big problems and we finally survived the rally route and the last stage. Actually we got a good time for the last stage…it was 5th in overall in b-junior class. Then it was time to see the results for the rally. 5 cars in our class got a cup…we were in 7th place overall in B-junior class..not bad at all. In the evening we took it easily and watched the on board material. Then it was time to go to sleep to be relaxed and full of energy for Sundays event in Toivakka rallisprint.We are looking for pictures and videomaterial from our driving in rally. Please send if you got something interesting for us. marko.kytomaki@tangoteam.com
New sylinder head was installed succesfully and we had good testing session located in Ruotimo Mäntyharju. It was time to start the season once again in Rantasalmi rallisprint. Last year Marko rolled his Ford in this event on the second round and result was not so good. This year we expected to get better result for sure. It was minus 22 degrees in the morning so we knew it will be hard day. The first problem was already in the morning when the car for service was not starting. It took time to get the car and trailer on the road to Rantasalmi. Weather was nice and sunny but yes it was very cold and even windy. Just before the start of the first round Marko finded out that ignition stopped to work properly. It was maybe too cold to get enought power for the sparking plugs and the battery was maybe frozen. First 1 km was totally disater when it was only few cylinders working...then it started to work finally ok but the first round was already lost. The only good thing was that Marko was able to see the track to do it better in next round
For the second round we charged the battery and tried to get the battery and ignition work. Second round started ok and car was working fine. For some reason driving was not so natural as normally and it was hard to get it done well. Marko avoided big risks and focused to get round done without mistakes. It went ok and Marko improved 9 seconds. Other competitors improved a lot too so 9 seconds was not enough. Results was lousy and now it´s time to think what need to be done for the car and for the driving to get it faster. We checked the on-board video and finded out that it was going too much side ways...it´s not the best way to get good time. Let´s try to remember it next time. We are interested in all kind of photo- and video material about Markos lime-green-white Ford Escort mk2 number 54.
It was finally time for Marko and Antti to take part to a rally event with Marko's Ford Escort. Antti Ahonen was co-driving as expected. Antti has been co-driver many times for Jani Lammela and now this was the first rally with Marko Kytömäki. We had succesful testing session located in Mäntyharju. We were fine tuning the cam shaft timing and also got more experience of BF Goodrich tires. The car got inspected and was finally ready for rally stages.
Ok...this was the first rally event for Marko so we had only one target this time...Would be nice to drive all stages safely throught without any major problems. 4 stages included in this competition.
Special stage 1 was 11 km long...very high speed stage and good start for the event. We had some problems with the transmission already before the stage so we were forced to focus the car more than driving at first place. Transmission was shaking heavily and caused so much extra noice that it was hard to hear the engine. We finally finished the stage and it was a relief. Ok, the time was quite bad but it still felt good as it was the first rally stage for Marko.
Special stage 2 was the shortest one..about 3 km stage. The surface of the stage was not so good with numer 207 but it was fun. Stage was not too fast and was easier for Marko and for Escort as well. The transmission was working ok with the lower gears and was worst when going fast with 5th gear. We had some close call on this stage in higher speed corner to left when Marko once missed the 4th gear and lost the grip right away. It was close to loose control but hey...almost anything must be tried even at once. Stage was finished and the time was much better than in first stage. Then it was time to find the service area and Tango Team motorsport service men...and it was easy. Kimmo, Henri and Harri were well prepared to fill the fuel tank. Then we just changed the casette and battery for the on-board camera and were ready to move on to 3rd stage. There were no chance to do anything for the transmission in 20 minutes...ok...wrc team would have chenged it maybe in 10 minutes :)
Special stage 3 was about 5 km stage...the easiest one maybe. Only few junctions were marked but there were not any other markings in the road book. This stage was very fast and it went very well. Few times Antti asked Marko to drive more aggressively some places...ok Marko was maybe wondering if we really will finish the rally with this car and took it easily. Time was still quite ok and we were ready for the last stage.
Special stage 4 was about 5 km long. From the beginning of the stage we noticed that the surface of the stage was not so good. Marko decided to make it so that we will see the finish line for sure. In few corners Marko could have driven much faster and with bigger gear. Once we had good contact to road surface with Ford´s base in one junction but it did not cause any problems. It was fun to drive and even more fun when we reached the finish line. 4 stages safely throuh...after waiting for 15 years for Marko to drive the rally event. Marko and Antti finished the rally in 24th place in class 15 where 42 cars started the event.
All kind of photo and video material about car number 207 lime-green Ford Escort is wanted. Thank you all our friends for helping us in this rally project. We also want to thank Lahden Urheiluautoilijat for this rally event. Great rally once again.
There were not so much time for Marko to prepare for this event. Marko was celebrating his friends weddings late until Saturday evening. In early Sunday morning Marko picked his Ford and managed to get on time into Vilkonharjun sora area in Hirvensalmi. The stage was the same as last year. Only the weather was different...it was raining all day :( Maybe because of the weather Marko had some problems with his Ford´s ignition. At the beginning of the stage was very fast and Marko almost went off in long corner to left. It was diffecult to drive long corners when it was impossible to get all power in use from the engine. Time was not so good and now we just needed to try to get the ignition work for the second round.
The second round started the same way as first one...ignition was still not working and Marko just drove the stage throuht without any big attack or risk of mistake. Now it´s time to get the car body fixed for the next events. Also something need to be done for the gear box, engine etc :) let´s see when will be the next event for our team....hopefully soon.
Marko Kytömäki took part in this event with Ford that he crashed at last event in Rantasalmi. Thanks to our mechanics and friends we managed to get the car ready for this event in 48 hours. We had no chance to test the car after rolling so we could once again only hope the best that everything is working properly. This event is one of Marko´s favourites. The stage is extremely challenging and it´s hard to find the rhytm. A lot´s of tricky corners are included but you cannot drive them all too carefully.
The first round Marko started carefully and not so big mistakes were included...but then Marko had some problems in all tight corners. It was hard to get second gear on and Marko lost lot of time then. Once the car almost stopped in the most tight corner. Time was not so good as expected before the event...but it was still extremely fun. For the second round there were nothing to do with the gear box.
The second round started with the same problems. It was hard to get the second gear on after start. Then in first corner Marko had close call and almost went off. He managed to get car back on the road but lost lot of time. Then driving went ok and specially the last kilometer went very well. Also corners went better than in first round. It was a suprise that the grip was not so god at all. There were lots of tarmac under light icy surface and it made it extremely slippery. The stage was finished finally and Marko managed to improve 1 second even if there were few bad mistakes in beginning of the stage. Final result was 20th in Markos class...not so special result and Marko was disapointed. Now it´s time to think how to get one good time without problems and close calls in next event in Hirvensalmi Karikon Autotalo Sprint at 08.02.2009.
We are interested in all video and pictures taken in this event. If you got some nice shots or video, we would be interested in it. Our car is blue Ford Escort RS2000. Tango Team Motorsport wants to thank Toivakka AUK for organising this event once again. Stage is good, organisation is good and it´s fun to drive when so many spectators are seen on stage. This event really is good for the drivers and spectators as well.
Onboard-video can be downloaded from here: XI Toivakka Rallisprint 2009, 2nd round
Marko started the first round hard. Car was working fine and the grip was much better than in previous events. It was good to see that it´s possible to drive in event without any testing. Few mistakes were still included to first try. Time was 3.01 and it was good time for Marko. Position was 9th in his class after first round.
For the second round Marko thought that it´s needed to improve the time 4-6 seconds to get the cup. The grip was much better and second round started exellent. After 1 kilometer Marko was improved 2 seconds already...but then he made a mistake and underestimated the grip when going sideways. It caused major problems and Ford hit the snow bank and rolled once. The race was over but luckily the car was not so badly damaged. The result was not so good after second round when almost all other drivers managed to improve their times. The position was 14th in his class. Markos crash was seen in PH-videot DVD as in-car and also as outside view. Spectacular :)
Onboard-video can be downloaded from here: Rantasalmi Rallisprint 2009
Marko took part in this event even if the car was not tested even at once after changing the cam shaft. Marko took a risk and was prepared to face some problems with the car. Luckily the car was working almost ok :) At least there were more power than before the changes were made for engine. This event was the first rally sprint event for Marko in summer time…and the track was very high speed and full of very tricky corners. There were two corners known where every year someone crash heavily. This year there were a lot of action again. Marko decided that it would be great result if he survive the stage without crashing heavily.
The first round did not start so well and Marko lost about two seconds on the start line already. The cooler system had a leak of water and hot steam went straight inside to the carburators. After bad start it went very fine until after two kilometers driving there were corner to right were Opel Kadett was just rolled and road was full of spectators. There were placed two yellow flags so Marko needed to prepare to stop. It was difficult to pass the Opel without hitting it. So it was not possible to get a good result for the first round anymore…but Marko liked driving a lot and pushed very hard until finish line was passed of course. Result was not so good but quite ok for the first try. For the second round Marko and Kimmo managed to get the car working properly and cooler was working fine. Few corners went too slowly and few corners went ok…the corner where Kadett crashed at the first round…was very tricky and also Marko faced some problems there. Marko managed to keep his Ford Escort on road but it was a close call and he lost few seconds again. After finishing the stage Marko was happy that the car was undamaged and he was full of adrenalin. Time for second round was 4 seconds faster but it was not enough to beat the others. Marko was placed 45 position in Junior class where totally were 61 cars…well now it´s easier to take part next event again…more experience. Thanks to organizer Lahden Urheiluautoilijat for this event. The event was nice and well done…and the stage was the best!
Onboard-video can be downloaded from here: Lahti Rallisprint 2008
This event was the second event for Marko in this season. Location for this event was Hirvensalmi...about 200 km from Helsinki. The track was totally new for us. The first try was slow for Marko...we had a lack of power and also grip was extremely lousy this time. Marko managed to drive through the stage safely without any problems. Second try did not start so well because Marko was forced by organiser to use different starting lane as the others. There he lost few seconds already...then at least three mistakes were seen :) Well Marko finally managed to avoid crash his car but the result was poor...but hey...we got more experience for the future again. Thank you Hirvensalmi AU for this event.
This was the first rally sprint event for Marko and Ford Escort. It was 2004 when Marko was in action last time. It looks that all snow this winter decided to snow during the same day as this event was hold. A lot of snow was on the 2,7 km track. The road was very tiny but extremely interesting. Lot´s of corners and not too high speed. Many potential crashing places were included on this stage but the track was well known for Marko and he managed to keep his Ford on the road suprisingly. The first lap was not so perfect for Marko...ok it was wise to get known to track and make it sure to get more experience for the future. Time was quite slow and also we had some problems with the cars ignition. Not too many risks were taken and it was fun to drive after many years. Many of competitors were crashed so in 8 spots there were yellow flags showing that you need to slow it down. For the second try Marko decided to show us some more action. The grip was a lot better and it was sure that time should be 10-15 seconds faster that in first try. Marko managed to avoid problems...he had only one close call with the big tree...and got quite a good result even if time was only 7 seconds faster that in first try. The last corner of the stage went not so well for Marko and few seconds were lost there too. In class 9 Marko managed to get position 15. The result was not the best but ok for the first event. A lot of experience was expected to get and we really managed to get it. Good event for us even the weather was exterely lousy. Tango Team motorsport wants to thank the organizers for the hard work...Thank you and hopefully see you next year again :)
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