Hänninen would relish IRC title defence

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen clinched the Super 2000 World Rally Championship title in Spain yesterday – and said he would relish the opportunity to defend his IRC crown in Cyprus next month.

Hänninen remains in contention for the prestigious IRC accolade following his second-place finish on RACMSA Rally of Scotland earlier this month. He is currently second in the IRC drivers’ standings, six points behind ŠKODA Motorsport team-mate Jan Kopecký.

Although ŠKODA has yet to confirm its plans for Cyprus, Hänninen is hoping he will contest the mixed-surface event alongside co-driver Mikko Markkula.

“Defending my IRC title wasn’t my target this year but now I’ve met my target I can be more relaxed and take some risks [in Cyprus],” said the ace Finn.

Hänninen can become the first driver in IRC history to successfully defend their crown by finishing third and hoping that neither Kopecký nor fellow title rival Thierry Neuville don’t win.