Hanninen linked to expanded IRC campaign

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hanninen is likely to take part on more rounds of the series this season than previously thought, according to Skoda Motorsport team manager Pavel Hortek.

Beyond last month’s Rallye Monte-Carlo, which Hanninen had been dominating until an incorrect tyre choice for two snow-hit stages dropped him back to an eventual sixth place, the Finn’s only other scheduled IRC event was Barum Czech Rally Zlin in August.

Hortek said: “We were very pleased with what Juho did [in Monte Carlo]. His schedule is not confirmed and we cannot say officially, but definitely he will do Barum and I would imagine the rest of the season will be Cyprus, Scotland and some other rallies on asphalt.”

Running Hanninen on the final two rounds of the IRC makes sense for Skoda, with points and a half on offer on RACMSA Rally of Scotland and double points for the final round, the Cyprus Rally in November.