Riku Huuhka, who finished fourth in the 2023 RallyX Championship with one win and two podiums, was unable to repeat that performance in 2024, finishing seventh overall in the CrossCar category. Despite this, the young Finn has shown no signs of losing his pace.
In a competition as fiercely contested as RallyX, nothing is ever guaranteed – a fact that Riku Huuhka is well aware of. Considered one of the most promising drivers of the 2023 season after climbing eight places in the standings compared to 2022, the Speedcar driver only reached four finals this year.
But that hasn’t stopped him from being positive about his season.
“Even before the championship started, it was clear that there were more than ten top drivers, all capable of winning on any given weekend. For my part I tried to do my best, but I don’t think I quite had the speed to finish higher in the standings,” said Riku.
“From this point of view, I’d say that my 2024 season was a bit mixed. My RallyX campaign didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but with so many excellent drivers in this competition, I can’t be too disappointed with my performances. The level is so high that you have to be flawless in every area to fight for top positions. It takes a huge effort.”
After impressing in 2023, Riku Huuhka continued to be one of the most reliable drivers in the CrossCar category this year.
Seventh fastest in the category in terms of pure speed, his gap to leader Elias Svensson in the 2024 season was just 0.190 seconds per lap. In terms of average speed, Riku Huuhka was the third-fastest driver in the CrossCar Senior category, trailing Thomas Eek Murstad by just 0.019 seconds.
These statistics clearly confirm that the Finnish driver has lost none of his talent.
“Although my season has been frustrating at times, this championship is a constant learning experience. For me, the 2024 campaign was a great opportunity to continue my development. I’ve had fantastic moments with my rivals both on and off the track, so when you take all these aspects into account, the overall result is very positive”.
Although he couldn’t challenge for the RallyX title, Riku Huuhka found some consolation in the Finnish Rallycross Championship. As well as a second consecutive title in the CrossCar category, he won his first championship in the V1600 class, driving a Toyota Yaris.
“Managing three different championships in 2024 meant spending a lot of time on the road. That might explain why I couldn’t do better than seventh in RallyX. When the margins are so tight, it is crucial to maintain the highest level of concentration. In Finland everything went perfectly, but in RallyX I probably lacked a bit of luck.”
As his rallycross career continues to grow, Riku Huuhka’s seventh place finish in RallyX hasn’t stopped him from reaching new milestones in his development.
“Now, when I make a mistake or face an unexpected situation, I’m much better at recovering and staying focused on what I need to do. That was something I struggled with in the past. I’d lose my rhythm, but now I think I have enough experience to deal with these challenges.”
While his team-mate Kalle Gothesson will return to full-time RallyX in 2025, alongside his brother Jere Huuhka in the CrossCar Junior category, Riku will have to remain patient.
“The 2025 season will be very different from previous ones, as I’ll start my military service at the beginning of January. This training can last between six months and a year, so my chances of competing in events outside the Finnish championship will be very limited” explains Riku.
“It’s a shame because I’m very interested in the development of RallyX, but it just won’t be possible this year. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to follow my team-mates closely and wish them all the best for the coming season.”
