South America trip a big help for Hänninen

"I was very confident after Brazil and Argentina"

By Franck Drui

3 May 2010 - 11:48
South America trip a big help for (…)

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.

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