Meeke: Hänninen and Mikkelsen are world class

Kris Meeke has singled out performances by Juho Hänninen and Andreas Mikkelsen on the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, describing them as “very, very impressive”.

The former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion was speaking following his visit to the second stage of the event, which passed less than two kilometres from his home near Dungannon in Northern Ireland.

“It was the first time I’ve watched a rally in a long, long time and I have to say I was very, very impressed with what I saw,” said Meeke, who won the IRC title in 2009 driving for Peugeot UK. “Hänninen and Mikkelsen are definitely on top of their games and you can argue that nobody else in the world are as quick as they are in Super 2000 cars.”

Hänninen eventually won the event, his ninth victory in the IRC, with Mikkelsen claiming second in a similar ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

Source: irc series

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Meeke congratulates new star Mikkelsen

Source: ircseries

Former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Kris Meeke has told how he watched Andreas Mikkelsen capture this year’s title on the Cyprus Rally live on Eurosport – and then sent a text message to the ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver to offer him his congratulations.

Meeke claimed the IRC crown in 2009, putting the title beyond doubt with victory on Rallye Sanremo. Mikkelsen was one of five drivers competing in Cyprus last week in contention for top IRC honours.

“I sent him a text message saying I knew how good it felt,” said Meeke. “I was watching on TV and it brought back lots of emotions from when I won the title. Andreas went to hug his brother after completing the stage and I did the same to my brother at the end of the last stage in Sanremo.”

Of Mikkelsen’s achievement this season, Meeke said the Norwegian’s triumph was richly deserved. “He was a class act on the last two rallies,” added the former Peugeot UK ace.

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