South America trip a big help for Hänninen

Juho Hänninen believes the confidence he gained from his strong performances on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge’s double-header in South America in March has helped him to up his pace on asphalt.

Hänninen is not known for his love of Tarmac driving but proved a revelation on Rally Islas Canarias last week by winning a stage and matching his Škoda Motorsport team-mate Jan Kopecký, an established asphalt pacesetter.

“I was very confident after Brazil and Argentina where we found a good set-up,” said the Finn. “Okay it was for gravel but we were able to take it forward to here. I could see from the wear of my tyres that I drive like I did on gravel but I learned to be more smooth on the second day. It was one of my best Tarmac rallies.”

Hänninen’s second-place finish on Gran Ganaria gives him a seven-point lead in the drivers’ standings.