13 Most Successful Auto Racing Players in Estonia of All Time

Rob Bunker

Estonia is home to some of the best auto racing players in the world. With a strong focus on safety and a passion for competition, these drivers have made a name for themselves in the world of auto racing.

From the world-renowned Estonia Rally Championship to the annual Estonia Hillclimb Championship, Estonia’s top drivers have proven themselves to be some of the most talented and experienced on the track.

We will take a look at some of the best auto racing players in Estonia and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

1. Ralf Aron

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Ralf Aron is an Estonian racing driver who is currently competing in the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, driving for Theeba Motorsport.

This is a prestigious racing contest and Aron is highly regarded amongst his peers. Before joining Theeba Motorsport, Aron had already built up an impressive career in the world of racing.

He competed in the Italian F4 Championship, the ADAC Formula 4 and the European Formula 3 championships for Prema Powerteam and Hitech GP.

Aron has a great deal of experience in the racing world and is highly respected for his achievements. Aron began his career in the Italian F4 Championship, competing for Prema Powerteam.

He quickly established himself as a top driver, setting a number of impressive lap times and finishing in the top ten of the championship.

He then moved on to the ADAC Formula 4, where he continued to impress, finishing in the top three of the championship. Finally, Aron moved on to the European Formula 3 Championships, where he again achieved impressive results.

He once again finished in the top three and was even crowned champion in the 2017 season.

Aron then joined Theeba Motorsport in 2023, as he continues to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Ralf Aron is an incredibly talented racing driver and is sure to achieve even greater success in the future.

His impressive career highlights and accomplishments speak for themselves, and he is highly regarded amongst his peers.

2. Jüri Vips

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Jüri Vips is a highly accomplished racing driver from Estonia. He is currently competing in the NTT IndyCar Series, driving the No. 30 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. This is done on a part-time basis.

Before that, he raced in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech Grand Prix. In 2017, Vips was the champion of the ADAC Formula 4, an impressive feat that helped to establish him as a serious racing driver.

He has gone on to build a reputation as a highly competitive driver, capable of competing at the highest levels. He has also earned a great deal of respect from his fellow drivers and fans alike. Vips has made a name for himself as a consistent and dependable driver.

He has shown an ability to adapt to different racing conditions and is always looking to improve his performance. He is a dedicated racer who puts his heart and soul into every race he takes part in. Vips is a true testament to hard work and dedication.

He is an inspiration to aspiring racers around the world, and it is clear that he will continue to be an important figure in the world of motor racing for many years to come.

3. Marko Asmer

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Marko Asmer is a highly accomplished Estonian racing driver who made history in 2007 by becoming the first ever Estonian to win the British Formula 3 Championship title.

This was an impressive feat as it had only been half a season since he had started racing in British Formula Ford.

His talent was further recognized when he was given the opportunity to test for the Williams BMW team in 2003, becoming the first Estonian ever to test a Formula One car.

Asmer’s success in such a short space of time is evidence of his natural ability and determination to succeed. He has since built a successful career as a professional racing driver, competing in a variety of events throughout Europe.

Asmer’s achievement is a source of immense pride for the people of Estonia, and his story is an inspiring one for aspiring racers.

4. Tõnis Kasemets

Tõnis Kasemets is a professional racing driver from Estonia. He has been competing in some of the world’s biggest motorsport series, including the CART Champ Car World Series.

In 2022, he won the prestigious IMSA Prototype Challenge championship, solidifying his place as one of the top drivers in the sport. Kasemets first began racing in the early 2000s, competing in the Formula Ford 1600 championship in Estonia.

He then moved up to the Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup series in 2006. In 2007, he began competing in the CART Champ Car World Series.

He competed in the series for three years, finishing as high as twelfth in the standings in 2009. After leaving the CART series, Kasemets shifted his focus to endurance racing.

He competed in numerous championships, including the European Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

In 2021, he finally earned his first win in the IMSA Prototype Challenge, cementing himself as one of the top drivers in the series. The following year, Kasemets earned two more wins and was crowned the 2022 IMSA Prototype Challenge champion.

He was the first Estonian to win the championship, and his success has made him a household name in Estonia. He has since become a role model for aspiring Estonian racers.

5. Kevin Korjus

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Kevin Korjus is an Estonian racing driver who has made a name for himself in the racing world. Born in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1995, he began his racing career in karting at the age of 11.

His talent eventually led him to Formula 3 and Formula Renault 3.5, where he achieved notable success. He eventually made his debut in Formula One in 2012, becoming the first Estonian driver to do so. Korjus made his Formula One debut with Caterham at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix.

He drove a further two races for the team but was replaced by Charles Pic for the remaining seven races of the season.

Since then, he has competed in various other series, such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, the European Le Mans Series and the Blancpain GT Series. Korjus is a talented and experienced racing driver who has achieved success in a variety of series.

He is a great example of an Estonian athlete succeeding in a competitive and demanding sport. He has achieved success on the international stage and is the first Estonian to compete in Formula One.

His drive and determination have made him a respected driver in the racing world.

6. Martin Rump

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Martin Rump is a trailblazer in the motorsport world, as he is the first Estonian driver to compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. He is currently competing in the European Le Mans Series with Proton Competition.

This series features some of the most difficult and competitive tracks in all of Europe. Rump has also taken part in other endurance events, such as the Asian Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

These events are considered to be some of the toughest competitions in the world and require high levels of skill, endurance, and determination. Rump’s accomplishments in the motorsport world have made him a household name in Estonia and beyond.

He has become a symbol of perseverance and determination, and his success has inspired many aspiring drivers to follow in his footsteps. Through his dedication and hard work, Martin Rump has set a new standard for excellence in the racing world.

7. Sten Pentus

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Sten Pentus is a talented Estonian racing driver who has achieved success in a variety of motorsport competitions. He is a former Estonian Formula 4 Champion, having won the series title in the past.

Additionally, he has a notable victory in the Formula Baltic championship, having taken the title in a Reynard 903.

Pentus is highly regarded for his skill and determination, having succeeded in motorsport competitions despite the relative lack of resources and support available to him.

His success shows that with enough hard work and dedication, even those with limited resources can achieve great success. His remarkable accomplishments have inspired many other drivers to pursue their dreams of racing success.

8. Sander Pärn

Sander Pärn is a retired Estonian rally driver. He is considered one of the most successful Estonian rally drivers of all time. Pärn was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1965.

He began his professional racing career in 1987 and quickly established himself as a top driver in the Estonian Rally Championship. He went on to become the first Estonian driver to compete in the World Rally Championship, where he achieved a podium finish.

Pärn was also the first Estonian driver to compete in the prestigious FIA European Rally Championship, where he achieved several top-five finishes. Throughout his career, Pärn won numerous Estonian Rally Championship titles, as well as a European championship title in 1992.

He also competed in the European Rallycross Championship and the FIA Cross-Country Rally Championship, where he achieved great success.

After retiring from professional racing in 2005, Pärn went on to mentor young Estonian drivers and help them achieve their goals in the sport. Sander Pärn is a true legend in Estonian motorsport, and his achievements have been honoured with a number of awards, including the Estonian Rally Driver of the Year award in 1997, and the Estonian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2004.

His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of Estonian motorsport fans, who continue to celebrate his successes and admire his determination and skill.

9. Joel Tammeka

Joel Tammeka is a retired rally driver from Estonia. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful drivers from the Baltic states, having achieved multiple impressive results in the Dakar Rally.

In 1991, Tammeka drove a Kamaz truck to a third-place finish in the truck class of the Dakar Rally, solidifying his place as an elite driver in the region.

His success in the Dakar Rally stands as a testament to Tammeka’s driving ability, as the event is widely considered one of the most grueling and challenging in the world.

His accomplishments have earned him a place in the hearts of Estonians, and his legacy will live on for generations to come.

10. Toivo Asmer

Toivo Asmer is a highly accomplished individual who has achieved success in many different fields. He is a successful Estonian entrepreneur, former racing driver, motorsports promoter, musician, and politician.

From 1999 until 2003, he served as the Minister of Regional Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.

During this time, he was a member of the IX Riigikogu, which is the elected unicameral parliament of Estonia. Asmer has also been involved in motorsports, having been a successful racing driver in his own right.

He has also been a promoter of motorsports, helping to bring it to prominence in Estonia. He is also a musician, having been involved in the Estonian music scene since the late 1990s. Asmer’s son, Marko Asmer, is also a successful racing driver.

Marko followed in his father’s footsteps and has become a prominent figure in the motorsports industry. He has won multiple races and has been a part of some of the most prestigious motorsports events in the world.

11. Paul Aron

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Paul Aron is an Estonian racing driver who has become a rising star in the world of motorsport. He is currently competing in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing.

Prior to this, Aron competed in the Formula Regional European Championship for Prema in 2021 and 2022, where he achieved an impressive third place finish in both series.

Aron is a member of the prestigious Mercedes Junior Team, which is a program that helps to develop young drivers and cultivate their talent.

His success in the Formula Regional European Championship has been a testament to his skill and determination, and he is looking to continue his progress in the Formula 3 Championship.

Aron’s commitment and hard work have been rewarded with a place in the Mercedes Junior Team, and it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of motorsport.

12. Teemu Suninen

Teemu Suninen is a highly successful rally driver from Finland. He is currently managed by Timo Jouhki and has been driving for the well-known M-Sport WRT rally team, owned by Malcolm Wilson, since 2017.

Suninen has achieved great success with the team, earning multiple podium finishes and top-five placements in the FIA World Rally Championship. Suninen is a rising star in the sport and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

He is a highly skilled and experienced driver who knows how to get the most out of his car and his team. Suninen has proven himself to be a reliable and capable driver and is sure to continue to be one of the top drivers in the sport for years to come.

13. Raido Rüütel

Raido Rüütel is an Estonian racing driver who was born in Tallinn. He attended the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute’s Faculty of Physical Education to pursue his education. In 1970, he began his motorsport career with the help of coaches Enn Griffel and Richard Laur.

His hard work paid off in 1981 when he won a silver medal at the Soviet Union championships with his teammate Toomas Ristlaan. Rüütel’s success in the racing world is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. Rüütel is an inspiration to many aspiring racers.

He worked hard to get where he is today, and his story is an inspiration to all. He is a reminder of the importance of dedication and perseverance in any field.

His success is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Raido Rüütel is an example of what can be achieved with a passion for a sport and a dedication to excellence.

He has a legacy that will continue to inspire many, and his achievements will be remembered for a long time. His story is one of success and serves as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

Conclusion

Estonia has some of the best auto racing players in Europe. These players have achieved success in a variety of motorsports, ranging from rally racing to Formula One.

While some of these drivers have achieved international recognition, others are still relatively unknown. Nevertheless, they have all made a name for themselves in the auto racing world and continue to be an inspiration to future generations of Estonian drivers.

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Rob Bunker

I am a professional race car driver at Rob Bunker Racing. I have been racing for more than 10 years and I love what I do. I came from a family of racers and was born in an area that has been known for its motorsports history. After high school, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a race car driver and pursued it with all my might. I began racing in 2005 and have since raced in many different series like the USA Racing Pro Cup, Indy Lights, IndyCar Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Racing Series. LinkedIn