Hänninen accepts blame for Ypres crash

Juho Hänninen has blamed a “stupid mistake” for failing to extend his run of podium finishes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge to six events.

The 28-year-old from Finland was in fourth overall after three stages of the Geko Ypres Rally but failed to complete the next stage, the 28.82-kilometre Hollebeke run, after sliding into a ditch on a slow right turn nine kilometres from the end of the test.

“It was a slow right corner, no more than 40kph when I lost the rear on the edge of a ditch,” said Hänninen. “I thought at that moment there was no problem but then it dropped down into the ditch. I tried to go out but with only 10 or 15 people to help us it was not possible, so frustrating.”

Although his factory-run Škoda Fabia S2000 sustained only light cosmetic damage, Hänninen and co-driver Mikko Markkula elected not to attempt to restart on day two.

“There was no point because it’s quite a special rally so for testing purpose it’s not such a good one,” said Hänninen. “Also we had no chance of getting any points and I am using this car for the Czech championship Bohemia Rally next weekend.”