Pentinpuro heads into the autumn rallysprint season with a medal in his sights
Rallisprint SM returns this weekend after a six-month break. The last time championship points were contested, the cars were racing through snow in Northern Ostrobothnia. Now, the stage shifts to the gravel roads of Northern Savo.
Jarno Pentinpuro heads into the autumn leg of the Rallisprint SM in second place in the championship, just three points behind the leader. Although there has been a long break in the SM series, Pentinpuro’s summer has been busy. Highlights include his first-ever asphalt rally abroad and victory in the Nelivetomies competition. Most recently, the 21-year-old Pentinpuro was named Lumijoki’s Citizen of the Year.
- I really appreciate and am grateful for the honour bestowed on me by Lumijoki-Seura. It’s great to see local achievements recognised in this way, Pentinpuro says.
Rallisprint SM consists of six rounds this season. Half of them were held during the winter, and the remaining three gravel events are now on the agenda.
- I’m feeling really good about the championship continuing after such a long break. The races are sure to be close, and that’s what makes this sport so exciting. Of course, it’s a challenge in its own way to return to sprinting after competing in rallies, as the two disciplines are quite different. But I’ll definitely do my best to make the second half of the season go as well as possible, Pentinpuro says.
Competing in the four-wheel-drive class with a Mitsubishi Lancer, Pentinpuro has a clear goal for the 2026 Ralli Sprint season: the Finnish Championship title. However, it will not come easily. Everything, from the car to his own driving, has to come together perfectly.
- Winning the championship requires flawless and successful runs. You have to get the runs right from the very start, because the stages are so short that you immediately lose too much time if you don’t get into the rhythm straight away.
The opening round of the autumn season, Kuormaus Ursin SM Rallisprint, will be held in Leppävirta on Saturday, 29 August.
- I’ve competed in Leppävirta twice. Based on the location of the paddock, the course appears to be the same as before. So I know what to expect from this fast-paced route!
