Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia S2000) claimed victory in the opening round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, in Rally Azores.
Mikkelsen had to challenge the pressure from his main rival, factory Skoda driver Juho Hanninen, until the Finn lost time after a spin on Friday, which allow Mikkelsen to pull away in front. The reigning champion finally managed to stay in front, and concluded the event 25 seconds ahead of Hanninen.
Bryan Bouffier was third aboard his Peugeot 207 S2000 ahead of Skoda drivers Sepp Wiegand (Skoda Deutschland) and Hermann Gassner Jr (Red Bull Skoda). Portuguese driver Bruno Magalhaes was forced to retire on Friday afternoon after he rolled out aboard his Peugeot 207 S2000.
Rally Azores – Final classification:
1. Mikkelsen-Floene (Skoda Fabia S2000) in 2.12'43"2
2. Hanninen-Markkula (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 25"1
3. Bouffier-Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) + 2'04"8
4. Wiegand-Gottschalk (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 5'20"3
5. Gassner-Wicha (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 6'23"9
6. Moura-Eirò (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 8'43"5
7. Salyuk-Cherepin (Ford Fiesta S2000) + 10'28"1
8. Silva-Nunes (Subaru Impreza Wrx) + 16'00"1
9. Rodrigues-Rodrigues (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 17'15"0
10. Barbosa-Reis (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 18'01"6
etc.
Mikkelsen had to challenge the pressure from his main rival, factory Skoda driver Juho Hanninen, until the Finn lost time after a spin on Friday, which allow Mikkelsen to pull away in front. The reigning champion finally managed to stay in front, and concluded the event 25 seconds ahead of Hanninen.
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| Photo: IRC Series |
Bryan Bouffier was third aboard his Peugeot 207 S2000 ahead of Skoda drivers Sepp Wiegand (Skoda Deutschland) and Hermann Gassner Jr (Red Bull Skoda). Portuguese driver Bruno Magalhaes was forced to retire on Friday afternoon after he rolled out aboard his Peugeot 207 S2000.
Rally Azores – Final classification:
1. Mikkelsen-Floene (Skoda Fabia S2000) in 2.12'43"2
2. Hanninen-Markkula (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 25"1
3. Bouffier-Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) + 2'04"8
4. Wiegand-Gottschalk (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 5'20"3
5. Gassner-Wicha (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 6'23"9
6. Moura-Eirò (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 8'43"5
7. Salyuk-Cherepin (Ford Fiesta S2000) + 10'28"1
8. Silva-Nunes (Subaru Impreza Wrx) + 16'00"1
9. Rodrigues-Rodrigues (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 17'15"0
10. Barbosa-Reis (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 18'01"6
etc.