Kuipers out of luck in Mexico

Dennis Kuipers won’t restart on the final day of Rally Guanajuato Mexico following his crash on Saturday’s first stage.

The 25-year-old from the Netherlands was in a strong seventh overall when he rolled his FERM Power Tools World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC into retirement.

Although damage to the car wasn’t too extensive, an investigation found that the roll cage had been damaged and he was unable to continue.

“In a right-left combination the car clipped a left bend, we rolled into a ditch and we ended up on our side,” said Kuipers. “Until the crash the rally was going really well. I felt at ease in the car and I put in some good stage times.”

Kuipers and co-driver Frederic Miclotte from Belgium will resume their WRC campaign on Vodafone Rally de Portugal at the end of March.

“Although the exit is disappointing, the seventh position after the first day gives me confidence for Portugal,” added Kuipers.