Jere Rantaniemi at the right moment into the number one position

Although being one of the frontrunners all season long, there was not a single moment during the season that Jere Rantaniemi was leading the 2024 FIA European Pro Modified Championship. But at the most decisive and most important moment of the season, the semifinals of the European Finals, Rantaniemi was there. The Finn won his elimination round, took over the number one position in the points standings and claimed his first FIA European Pro Modified title. Timing is everything.

The 2024 FIA European Pro Modified Championship was one of the most exciting in recent years. After four rounds and only the European Finals to go, there were still five drivers in the race for the title. Michel Tooren, Stian Rusånes and Andres Arnover went out in the first round, leaving the title fight to the leader David Vegter and the challenger Jere Rantaniemi. Both advanced to the semifinals and it looked like there would once again be a ‘winner takes it all’ scenario with a title race between the Dutchman and the Finn in the final where the winner would also claim the title. But on his way to a win, Vegter suffered engine problems and was out in the semifinals. Because Rantaniemi had a bye run in the semifinals, the Finn only had to stage and take the green light. Rantaniemi did what he had to do, added 20 points to his score, took over the number one position and was champion.

In 2022 and 2023 Rantaniemi ran a very limited schedule with only one FIA Championship race each season. The Finn finished the 2023 season in 33th position. But for 2024 Rantaniemi and his team planned a full FIA season with their turbo-powered Camaro. After a quarter final exit at The Main Event, Rantaniemi advanced to the semifinals at the SpeedEvents Internationals at Tierp Arena in June, to be defeated by David Vegter. Being in second position in the title race, one of the highlights of the season and his career was the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals at Tierp in August. After the rain in the afternoon the Finnish team were already packed and ready to leave for the ferry back home when the call was made for the final. Rantaniemi claimed the win and although still in second position, with only four of the five races counting for the championship, he could skip the NitrOlympX and still be in the title race at Santa Pod’s Euro Finals. The rest is history.

This was your first FIA European Pro Mod title. How does it feel to be champion?

Yes, this is my first European Championship. At the same time, the first non-Swedish Pro Mod champion, and the first turbo! I am really proud of my team and especially my son Heka, who has been very active in the pits and worked really hard at home between the races.

How do you look back at last season?

The season was really tough and full of work. Although it may have looked like we didn’t break anything, we broke practically everything and many times.

What was your goal for this season? To do all five (or four) races or only the first three?

The original idea was to run the whole series of five races. After the first Tierp race, the engine was mainly 2JZ, i.e. six cylinders, and both turbos were broken plus spares. And all three turbines and gearboxes were broken as well. So we planned to run only the Tierp event in August, the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals.

When did you realize it was possible to claim the title?

When we won the Tierp2 competition and I saw the points table. I started to calculate that it would still be possible to go for medals if we would go to Santa Pod for the European Finals and did well there.

What was your best race?

I can’t tell which one was the best race. Maybe Tierp2. There we finally drove to the 5.8-side and held that level on the day of eliminations. Although the final went to skating after the rain. On the other hand, at the Euro finals we were also consistent with runs between 5.87 and 5.91 seconds.

What was the most important race for winning the title?

Tierp2, the Summit Racing Equipment Internationals. It gave the whole team faith in what we were doing and what we have been doing all along.

Most proud of in 2024?

The proudest must be the entire Pro Mod family. Everyone helps each other. Next, I was proud of my team and my own son, who has grown into a great mechanic during my driving career. Next is the fact that we broke the Finnish record four or six times.

Toughest moment of the season?

I watched the Hockenheim competition from a bad live stream at my aunt’s 70th yard party without beer. And USA customs where our turbo collected pressure for two weeks.

Toughest competitor in 2024?

All Pro Mod drivers in the FIA ​​European Championship series. Of course David first and Andres and Andreas and Michel. In the competition, practically everyone on the ladder can win. This is a rally and anything can happen. The first one to finish on green wins.

How where the reactions after winning the title?

I still don’t really get it. Of course, we had a proper party in the pits and sauna until morning in the trailer. Maybe the other participants didn’t appreciate it as much.

People/companies you want to thank?

This list is long. The person without whom we wouldn’t have even gone to the Main Event is Luke Stevenson. He made it possible and after small (read big) problems managed to get the equipment from the port to the Pod and back to the port. The next person who made the tour possible is Daniel Engberg, a man from the Pro Mod family whom I only met at Santa Pod when we had the problem of the return trip from the spring race. He also made our fall Euro Finals trip possible. Absolutely incredible help! Thanks to them and eternal debt! To all the sponsors; without you, none of this would have been possible. Thanks everyone: Mekonomen, TA-Rengas, Loimaa autovaraosa, Hemiva, Kivi työ Kaseva, JST Service, HPT, Aterra, Mylläri, JP-Grön, TH-Matic, Brad Personett, PLR, M&M , PTE, PRS, SMCF, and all the other really important supporters and my team. Thanks again to the employees of our company for being flexible during the holidays so I was able to travel as well.

Plan for next season?

I’m still a little full of drag racing after this season. I still don’t know what to do next summer. Of course, PM1 would oblige, but…. Let’s see, big sponsors would really be needed. Travel money and prize money are really not enough for any of today’s travel expenses.

Text and photos: Remco Scheelings

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