Mikko Hirvonen held on to take victory in the first round of this years Intercontinental Rally Challenge at Monte Carlo today despite coming under increasing pressure from the hard charging Sebastian Ogier on the final day.
The M-Sport Fiesta driver fended off Frenchman Ogier who fought his way back up the field from 8th after a puncture on the opening day, taking an impressive 7 stage wins along the way before suffering heartbreak when his Peugeot suffered a broken alternator pulley shaft on the road section leading to the penultimate stage. Ogier was victorious in the event in 2009 and was heartbroken to have retired after storming back through the field... [read more]
With the "Monte" being the worldwide debut of the Super 2000 spec Fiesta, M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson was delighted saying "Its a fantastic debut for the car and to lead from start to finish is just rewards to all the team". Although M-Sport are registered for the whole season Wilson thought it unlikely that they would contest further rounds themselves and added " It's great for the car and I am sure we will see plenty of customer versions from now on."
Juha Hanninen moved back into second with the retirement of Frenchman Ogier, while Nicolas Vouilloz came home third in the second factory Skoda.
2010 Monte Carlo Rally // IRC Round 1 Results:
1 Hirvonen Mikko / Lehtinen Jarmo Ford Fiesta S2000 04:32:58.5
2 Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko Škoda Fabia S2000 04:34:49.9
3 Vouilloz Nicolas / Veillas Benjamin Škoda Fabia S2000 04:36:17.6
4 Sarrazin Stéphane / Renucci Jacques-Julien Peugeot 207 S2000 04:40:24.0
5 Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr Škoda Fabia S2000 04:41:47.2
6 Wilks Guy / Pugh Philip Škoda Fabia S2000 04:42:23.0
7 Magalhaes Bruno / Magalhaes Carlos Peugeot 207 S2000 04:42:43.9
8 Vigion Jean-Sébastien / Prevot Stephane Peugeot 207 S2000 04:46:22.0
9 Orsák Jaroslav / Vajík Karel Škoda Fabia S2000 04:54:15.1
10 Jereb Andrej / Kacin Miran Peugeot 207 S2000 04:58:24.6
Editorial: Neil Tozer
Images: IRC.com
1.23.2010
NEWS // HIRVONEN CLAIMS VICTORY @ MONTE CARLO RALLY
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Why the WRC dropped the Monte Carlo rally this year is truly mind boggling. I mean, what was the thinking behind that? I know the technical reasoning behind the move is rotating rally venues, but my God man, it's Monte Carlo!
ReplyDeleteI'm also not surprised in the least bit that Hirvonnen won, though that was an impressive effort put in by Ogier.
Same thoughts. There are some venues that just should be in WRC calendar....
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