29-30.4.2011 Flat tyre again the curse of Mikko Pajunen
The promising Finn forced to retire the Pirelli International Rally
Mikko Pajunens bid for victory in the British Rally Championship event
on Saturday ended prematurely with a flat tyre. The Finn was engaged
in a tight battle for victory in the legendary Kielder stages in the
Pirelli International Rally, but unfortunately had to retire on stage
10.
At the time of their exit, Pajunen and his co-driver Jani Salo were
second in the R2 class in their front wheel drive Autosport Technology
Renault Twingo.
- We had a puncture in the drivers side front tyre. I felt that
something was wrong, but the contest was so tight that I decided to
carry on without slowing down. In one bend the tyre came off the wheel
and off we went straight to the bushes, told Pajunen.
Pajunen was engaged in a fierce battle with Jukka Korhonen and Craig
Breen. Pajunen had previously clocked two fastest times and taken the
second place in front of Breen. Korhonen had a 13-second lead.
- We increased our speed as we were thinking of going for the victory.
But then we had again these tyre problems. These things keep happening
to us, but what can you do, thought Pajunen.
The next time Pajunen puts on his helmet is in two weeks. The
Vanajanlinna Rally, which takes place around Hämeenlinna, starts the
Finnish Championship summer season. The next British Championship
event is at the end of May.
The overall competion in the Pirelli International Rally was won by
David Bogie, Korhonen finishing first in the R2 class. In addition to
Pajunen and Korhonen, there were two other Finnish drivers: Teemu
Horkama had to retire in the opening stage due to a technical fault,
and crashed Jussi Kumpumäki finished 12th in the R2 class.
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