After spending the 2025 season completing his military service in Finland, Riku Huuhka marked his return to competition in the RallyX Championship in the best possible way. The multiple Finnish champion claimed victory in Race 1 at the Tierp circuit, making an immediate statement on his comeback.
While many expected Thomas Eek Murstad to convert his overnight lead into a first victory of the season, the Norwegian’s elimination in the semi-finals dramatically reshuffled the order.
Only 11th in the intermediate standings after Q2, Huuhka nevertheless managed to turn the tide. Setting the second-fastest time in Q3, the Finn climbed back up the order in the CrossCar category and secured fifth place overall at the end of qualifying.
Huuhka’s momentum continued throughout the knockout stages as he went on to secure the second victory of his career at this level of competition, finishing ahead of Vetle Try and Oliver Lucas Jensen.
“This victory feels incredible. It definitely wasn’t easy. In the first qualifying heat, I made a mistake and spun, but after that we managed to put together some really strong runs. When the rain came, I immediately felt that it was my moment. I love driving in those conditions,” Huuhka explained after the final.
After struggling for much of qualifying, the Finn eventually found his rhythm at exactly the right time, notably thanks to an outstanding performance in Q3 that allowed him to move back into contention before the finals.
“We worked extremely hard on the car setup to be more competitive on a track with a strong asphalt profile like Tierp. It’s the perfect way to start the season on the Nordic rounds. The engine is finally working really well now. We’ve had ups and downs with Yamaha, but today everything finally seems to be heading in the right direction.”
After a year away from RallyX, largely due to his military commitments, the victory carried special significance for Huuhka.
“I needed this result to rebuild my confidence. After being away from competition for a season, you inevitably start doubting yourself. This win gives me confidence again. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. During the third qualifying session on Saturday, in dry conditions, I set the second-fastest time. That shows we also have pace in those conditions. But now we need to confirm it.”