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26.2.2011 Rallye Sunseeker - British Rally Championship

Mikko Pajunen to a strong start in the British Rally Championship

Mikko Pajunen started his British rally season in the Sunseeker rally over the weekend. The Finn drove his Renault Twingo in to a second place in his class, making a perfect start for the seven round season. Pajunen and his co-driver Jani Salo were 25 seconds behind the class winner Siim Plangi (Est). The Finnish duo got 30 seconds worth of time penalties for being late, without which they would have won.

- The markings were a bit chaotic and unclear, but we were never late from anywhere. We asked for a review but they didn?t change our time. I first thought we were going to be able to drive faster to compensate for the penalties but I soon realised it was impossible. Towards the end I started slowing down a little as I missed a turn by going too fast. Better luck next time, said Pajunen.

Pajunen was nevertheless very pleased with his start of the highly regarded British championship. This was his first experience of Bournemouth and its surrounding areas where the 11 stages took place. The wet weather made it challenging as the gravel roads were turned into mud. Pajunen managed to set the record time on five of the stages.

- The car was alright and driving went fine. At the beginning we were looking at other people and the kind of times they were driving, but soon realised we had nothing to worry about. Of course after we got the time penalties everything changed, but overall I was happy with it. This set us up nicely for the next rally, told Pajunen.

The overall winner was British David Bogie helped by four-wheel drive and turbo engine. The next rally in the British Championship takes place in Wales at the beginning of April. The Bulldog rally uses some stages that are also used in the WRC. Before going to Wales, Pajunen and Salo will drive in Kouvola next weekend in the Finnish Championship.