Suzukis have set the winning pace in Finland, securing every fastest stage time on the second day of the famous all-gravel event. It was a historic day for Suzuki, with Guy Wilks starting it by giving the all-new Swift Super 1600 its first ever fastest stage time, over the 19-kilometre Vaheri stage. Five more fastest times saw Guy move up to third overall in the Junior World Championship classification, after starting the day sixth following problems with a puncture on the opening leg.

Strong performance today of Guy Wilks with the Suzuki Swift

In second position and close to the lead is Estonian Urmo Aava, driving a Suzuki Ignis. Urmo, revelling in roads similar to those back at home in Estonia, had a fast and reliable run to underline his own personal performance and that of the Ignis.
Fourth is the similar Ignis of Pavel Valousek, one of his best-ever results.

Suzuki driver Kosti Katajamaki was forced to retire yesterday with a transmission problem, but he re-joined the event today under the new super rally system. Kosti proved what he was capable of with two blisteringly fast stage times, which would have put him in contention for a class win. Unfortunately the Finn was forced to retire once more on SS17 with no drive.

Martin Prokop's Ignis was running in eighth, but he retired during the last loop of stages when his engine lost oil pressure. The young Czech is hoping to re-start tomorrow.

The second leg of Rally Finland consisted of eight more stages, run during a long 14-hour day. The route took in the world-famous Ouninpohja stage, famed for its flat-out speeds and breathtaking jumps. The weather remained dry throughout the day.

Guy concentrated on maintaining his speed and not taking any risks. Having started this morning sixth, he eventually moved up to third - helped also by the retirement of former leader Kris Meeke. His new Swift had no mechanical problems, and if things stay as they are, Guy will come away from Finland leading the Junior World Rally Championship. His team mate P-G Andersson in the other new Swift was reduced to the unhappy role of spectator today, after crashing out on the opening leg yesterday.

Guy said: "Today has been extremely good, and I find it very promising that we are able to set fastest times without even pushing too hard. We had a couple of issues yesterday but today has been problem-free and we are beginning to see the real potential of the new Suzuki Swift. I've been very happy with the performance, and I know that we could go a lot quicker if we wanted. But with such a big gap to the car in front and the current championship situation, there is no point in pushing too hard and taking risks."

Urmo also had a very good day, moving from third to second place when Meeke retired. A consistent string of competitive stage times has seen him close in on the new leader, Citroen driver Daniel Sordo. He dropped two minutes on the longest stage of the rally, the 40 kilometres of Moksi-Leustu, with a puncture.

Urmo said: "Our pace has shown the basic strength and speed of the Ignis but of course we have been pushing quite hard. We've had no mechanical problems, and it was very exciting to fight for the lead of a rally. I am very disappointed that we dropped time on the long stage as that changes things somewhat. I have finished second before but never won a JWRC rally, so that is obviously a strong motivation. Tomorrow we will try to do our best in order to make up for the lost time."

Pavel Valousek, from the Czech Republic, also enjoyed a trouble-free run in his Ignis run by JM Engineering. He is delighted with fourth place, which matches his best ever results.

He commented: "I've had a lot of fun today driving these classic stages which are among the best in the world. The Ignis has given us no problems at all, and our aim now is to try and finish in this position, scoring more points for the championship."

Suzuki Sports President Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima said: "After the disappointment of yesterday, it has been a much better day today! We are proud that Guy has been able to give the new Swift its first fastest stage times in the Junior World Rally Championship. I am sure that they will be the first of many. I would also like to give my special congratulations to Urmo, who has driven brilliantly today. Tomorrow should be an exciting finish!"

Tomorrow's final leg of the Rally Finland contains four stages run in quick succession, with no service or tyre change in between. With an uninterrupted run of 66 competitive kilometres, there could yet be a sting in the tail of Rally Finland. The winner is expected to spray the champagne on the finish ramp in Jyvaskyla at 1450 (CET+1).

Junior World Rally Championship classification at end of leg two, Rally Finland:

1. Daniel Sordo (Citroen C2) 2h43m26.8s
2. Urmo Aava (Suzuki Ignis) +2m14.5s
3. Guy Wilks (Suzuki Swift) +4m41.1s
4. Pavel Valousek (Suzuki Ignis) +7m16.2s
5. Luca Betti (Renault Clio) +8m24.3s
6. Mirco Baldacci (Fiat Punto) +20m26.9s
7. Kris Meeke (Citroen C2) +33m17.2s
8. Conrad Rautenbach (Citroen C2) +35m33.3s