With three victories from four races, Roberts Vitols logically sits at the top of the Supercar Lites standings in the RallyX championship. However, while the Latvian driver had not initially planned to travel to Honkajoki this weekend, his recent performances ultimately convinced Team Färén to revise its programme.
Vitols was originally not expected to continue beyond the Tierp round due to both personal and professional commitments. Yet the level of performance he has displayed since Valkenswaard naturally led the Latvian to reconsider his priorities.
And the Team Färén driver would have been wrong not to. Since Valkenswaard, Roberts Vitols has topped the intermediate standings on four occasions while also claiming ten qualifying heat victories from twelve starts.
The Latvian driver is currently enjoying one of the strongest periods of his rallycross career. Consistent, fast and particularly effective when it matters most, Vitols has gradually established himself as the benchmark driver in the Supercar Lites category since the beginning of the season.
That momentum ultimately forced a rethink of the plans initially put in place by the Latvian, with no trip to Finland having been scheduled only a few days ago.
“We joked a lot about taking part in the Finnish RallyX round. Originally, we were not supposed to be there, but it now looks like we will be lining up for the third round at Honkajoki after all. Obviously, it was not an easy decision to make because I was supposed to attend my sister’s graduation ceremony and that’s not something easy to accept. I feel a little bit like I’m letting her down, even though she has always been my biggest supporter since the very beginning of my motorsport career.”
Beyond the emotional aspect, the decision has also required a major logistical reshuffle for a team that had not anticipated extending its RallyX programme beyond Tierp.
“From a logistical point of view, nothing had been planned in that direction, so it requires a huge amount of work to change our plans at the last minute. We’ll see what we are capable of doing in Finland while also trying to put together a few additional races over the summer.”
Despite those challenges, Vitols admits that the results achieved since Valkenswaard have naturally changed the team’s perspective on the project.
“Competition is part of our DNA. It’s what the whole team loves doing. When an opportunity comes along, you have to try to take it because chances like this do not necessarily come around often during a career. Now that we have managed to build something solid since the beginning of the season, it would be a shame not to try to push things further.”
It is a philosophy that has followed Vitols throughout his motorsport career.
“If life gives you an opportunity, you have to try to take it. That’s also how we got to where we are today. We have always tried to show up, work properly and eventually some doors begin to open naturally.”
Still realistic about his journey so far, the Latvian nevertheless believes last season played a key role in his current development.
“Of course, winning the championship last year would have been incredible and it certainly would have made things easier for me this season,” Roberts Vitols smiles.
“But it was also my first season back and the level of competition was extremely high. Even so, I think we achieved some really good things. Most importantly, I still know exactly which areas I need to improve in.”
One thing is certain: the current Supercar Lites championship leader will head into this weekend facing a scenario that still seemed highly unlikely only a few weeks ago.