Hanninen takes Circuit of Ireland Rally victory

Juho Hänninen has won the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, his ninth victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

He completed the event’s final stage, the third run of the 25-kilometre Redrock stage, with the fastest time to secure victory by a margin of 44.2s over Andreas Mikkelsen.

“Of course the feeling is very great but it was a nice battle and big thanks to Andreas for that,” said the factory ŠKODA Motorsport driver.

Mikkelsen and Jan Kopecký, Hänninen’s ŠKODA team-mate, shared the second fastest time with Craig Breen fourth fastest in his Saintéloc Racing Peugeot 207.

The Irishman was on course for an even faster time only for a build up of smoke in his car to put him off his stride.

Robert Barrable was fifth fastest with Mathieu Arzeno sixth quickest in his Peugeot.

Sepp Wiegand overshot a junction in his ŠKODA Auto Deutschland Fabia but still managed to go eighth fastest.

Garry Jennings clinched the IRC Production Cup spoils with fellow Northern Irish driver Marty McCormack landing IRC 2WD Cup honours.

Donagh Kelly posted the seventh fastest time to demote Sam Moffett to second in the IRC Production Cup.

Crews will service in Armagh for 10 minutes prior to the podium ceremony getting underway in the cathedral city at 19:00hrs local time.