Hänninen back on form with Bohemia win

Juho Hänninen hit back from the disappointment of retiring from the recent Geko Ypres Rally by winning the Czech championship-counting Rally Bohemia last weekend.

Hänninen, who leads the Intercontinental Rally Challenge standings from Škoda Motorsport team-mate Jan Kopecký, was driving a Fabia S2000 Facelift on the asphalt event, which was centred in Mladá Boleslav, where Škoda is based.

After a close fight with Peugeot 207 driver Bryan Bouffier, Finn Hänninen said he was pleased to have won.

“We had no problems and I made no mistakes,” said Hänninen, who was accompanied by regular co-driver Mikko Markkula. “I had to push very hard because it was a big fight. The stages were quite short on the first day so it was difficult to make a difference but on the second day the stages were a bit longer so we could make up some time.

“I am pleased with my win because it was a good level at the top with three different types of Super 2000 car in the top three. It is also good when you can spend more time in the car.”

Kopecký was also in action last weekend, finishing second to Paolo Andreucci on Rally di San Marino, a round of the Italian Rally Championship. Andreucci starred on Rally d’Italia-Sardegna in June when he finished runner up to Hänninen on the IRC qualifier in a Peugeot 207.