24.4.2012 Pajunen found his pace on Italian tarmac - Spin ruined changes for victory
Mikko Pajunen had a successful European championship event in the Mille Miglia Rally in Italy. The Finn who was invited to the event by Renault Sport fought hard in his Twingo R2 Evo car, challenging for the victory right up till the penultimate stage. Pajunen and his co-driver Kaj Lindström had to retire because of a spin.
- It was a long stage, and I managed to chase down the car which left before me. My concentration dropped a little while I was chasing, and in one of the corners my line went wide. The rear hit a rock or something and threw us across the road and on our roof. That was the end of the story, told Pajunen.
Pajunen was driving in the second place in his class. On the opening day the tarmac roads were wet from the rain, and tyre choices played an important part. On the second the the rain had stopped, and the roads were dry. Especially on the dry conditions Pajunen was driving top times and managed to get only 31 seconds away from the class leader before he was forced to retire on stage 14.
- It went really well and our speed was spot on. The people at Renault were happy too, since this is only a new car and they are still developing it. Of course I'm disappointed by the spin, but there's nothing I can do about it anymore. The most important thing was that the car was doing well and the driver was fast enough, said Pajunen.
Pajunen and Lindström will drive in Italy again in May. That time it will be on gravel. The Finnish championship starts again in June in Lapua.
Text: Miiro Koivula
Photo: Jani Kekoni
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