Latest News 2012

Juho Hänninen wrote his name in golden letters on the result sheet of the Geko Ypres Rally 2012. It is an exceptional performance for a Finn to win on these roads. Only the belated Toivonen managed a similar feat.

The year was 1984, the great era of the Group B cars. The extremely talented Henri Toivonen (Porsche 911 RS) outclassed Patrick Snijers (idem) by beating him by more than 5 minutes (Jean-Claude Andruet was originally second at 27’’ on his Lancia Rally 037, but he was subsequently disqualified). Now, 30 years later and for his third participation only to the Ypres Rally, Juho Hänninen (Škoda Fabia S2000) is the second « Flying Finn » to win on the very typical roads of the Westhoek. This is the third win of Škoda here and the first one for the team of Mladá Boleslav without Freddy Loix at the wheel. He moved to the competition this year (Peugeot 207 S2000) and tried to push his rival into making a mistake by driving on the limit everywhere, but to no avail. He didn’t win, but he did ensure this event was never boring. Without him, the super advanced Škodas of the factory team would have had no competition what so ever.

We had a lot to tell during the first pass through Heuvelland-Vleteren-Watou, but nothing happened in the top 6 this time. Just behind, things keep moving though.

Main change in Top 10 is the retirement of Robert Barrable (Škoda Fabia S2000) who broke his gearbox in SS14. Mathias Viaene (Peugeot 207 S2000) is fighting his way back into the Top 10 while Jonas Langenakens (Peugeot 207 S2000) claims back time on Andreas Aigner (Subaru Imprea WRX STI). The Austrian narrowly leads Production class but sees Viaene in his mirrors. He is only 16’’ ahead anymore.

The morning leg started with one of the longest stages of the race, the second leg started with THE longest stage of the rally, i.e. Hollebeke (28.82 km).

Where a storm was blowing through the ranks this morning, we have to say it was really calm this afternoon on the Geko Ypres Rally 2012. Only few things really jumped out, amongst which the exit of Mathieu Arzeno (Citroën DS3 R3T) in Hollebeke. He was trying to get about ten seconds back on Martin Kangur (Honda Civic Type R). The Estonian now has a very comfortable lead in the 2WD class, more than 2 minutes ahead of Melissa Debackere (Citroën DS3 R3T).

The survivors of the first day of the Geko Rally Ypres 2012, got a serious wake-up call this morning : the first stage is the 26.75 km long Heuvelland-stage, one of the longest of the weekend. And it sure didn’t fail to bring some surprises.

Juho Hänninen (Škoda Fabia S2000) leads the rally since the second stage and he is the first to arrive to the TRC. «It is a really difficult stage and the roads are very slippery. » He didn’t finish his sentence or disaster struck for team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen (Škoda Fabia S2000). Like yesterday, he missed his braking point, this time on a T-junction: broken suspension and game over. Kris Princen (Renault Mégane RS) and the again unfortunate Cédric de Cecco (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) were the next victims and also had to retire. De later mowed down a pole and the stage had to be stopped to clear the road. On only a few kilometres, the race had lost three of its most colourful drivers.

Heuvelland starts with 2 min. delay !

Mikkelsen is out : Broken suspension