Hänninen takes off in IRC

Juho Hänninen (Skoda Fabia S2000) places himself as the number 1 challenger to Kris Meeke (Peugeot 207 S2000) in the title race. Already leader in the general classification of the International Rally Challenge, the Finn increased his lead by taking ten points for victory. For this, he was impeccable, from the start to the end of the weekend. Not the fastest in Carlos Paz's super special, Hänninen set the best time in eleven of the thirteen other specials contested in Argentina.

Beyond the victory of Juho Hänninen, it is a triumph for Skoda since the Fabia S2000 of Guy Wilks and Jan Kopecky complete the podium. Kris Meeke (Peugeot 207 S2000), third for a long time, gave way at the same time as his leadership in the penultimate special of the event. The 2009 champion has had a very bad operation since he remains stuck at 10 points in total from the first three rounds of the 2010 IRC. For his part, three times on the podium, Juho Hänninen has 24 points and presents himself as a serious candidate with a view to the final title.

« It was really great rally, congratulated Hänninen at the end of the event. I am really very happy. But I'm still surprised that things went so well. I felt safe even going very fast. I had a very good feeling and I would like to feel it during each event. »

For his part, Kris Meeke was obviously much less satisfied. “ It?s really disappointing to finish like this after all the problems encountered this weekend. But it is safety that takes precedence. We will take stock and move forward. »