The RallyX championship grid will receive a major boost this weekend at Honkajoki in the Open 4WD category with the arrival of Juha Rytkönen under the colours of Olsbergs MSE.
The Finnish driver will replace Niclas Grönholm behind the wheel of the FC2 fielded by the Swedish outfit for the third round of the RallyX championship.
As versatile as he is fast, Rytkönen has built a unique reputation over the past few seasons within both rallycross and Scandinavian motorsport.
Currently competing in the FIA European Championship, the Finn can also rely on an impressive résumé in rallying.
In just 39 career rally starts, Juha Rytkönen has already claimed 15 victories and 24 podium finishes, confirming a remarkably high level of efficiency. Finnish Rallycross champion in both 2018 and 2019, the Tuuri native has also developed a reputation for adapting rapidly to virtually every new environment he encounters.
Back in 2020, the Finn had already turned heads in World RX at Kouvola by taking the fight directly to Johan Kristoffersson in the battle for victory. That performance established Rytkönen as one of the revelations of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
He would continue to demonstrate that ability during his later RallyX appearances. In 2021, Rytkönen contested two RallyX Nordic rounds with Betomik Racing’s Ford Fiesta at Oulu Zone, finishing second behind Johan Kristoffersson in Race 1 before backing it up the following day with another podium result behind Niclas Grönholm and the eight-time World Rallycross champion.
In 2022, his only competitive outing of the season once again resulted in a front-running performance, with Rytkönen securing second place behind Anton Marklund during the FIA Euro RX1 round at Spa-Francorchamps.
Returning to RallyX in 2023 at Kouvola aboard the ex-M-Sport Ford Fiesta, the Finn once again found a way onto the podium during the opening day before narrowly missing out on another Top 3 finish in Race 2.
Since then, Rytkönen has continued to strengthen his reputation by claiming victory at Istanbul Park during the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship under the PGRX banner before ending his French campaign as runner-up behind Steven Bossard.
Focused on the FIA World Championship last season, Juha Rytkönen managed to reach the final on three occasions from the four events he contested.
At Honkajoki, the Finn will return to an environment he knows perfectly while also stepping into FC2 machinery that will allow him to measure himself directly against the leading names in RallyX. A combination that will undoubtedly attract plenty of attention this weekend in Finland.
