Number 14 for Hansen!

Today Kenneth Hansen secured his 14th European title. And Jussi Pinnomäki his 3rd. :winner: Congratulations to both of them:cheers:

Somewhat too early announced, Eye. Pinomäki’s Clio has to undergo a sharp FIA post-inspection first…

Somewhat too early announced, Eye. Pinomäki’s Clio has to undergo a sharp FIA post-inspection first…

any news on this yet Guru?

I know this is an Irish/British rallycross forum and the interest is mainly on the domestic racers. And that is OK. But I can’t help thinking that it is sad that NO one of you Rallycross lovers seems to appreciate the achievements Kenneth have done enough to congratulate him :s

About Jussi. Why this FIA post-inspection? Have anyone protested?
Do you know RX-Guru? Did he pass?

I know this is an Irish/British rallycross forum and the interest is mainly on the domestic racers. And that is OK. But I can’t help thinking that it is sad that NO one of you Rallycross lovers seems to appreciate the achievements Kenneth have done enough to congratulate him :s

Your dead right, his achievements cannot be underestimated. To win the ERC in such a competitive year with 1 round in his pocket is just incredible.

His Royal Highness "King Kenny" is as fast as he ever!
Well done Kenny, another great year to be cherished:)

About Jussi. Why this FIA post-inspection? Have anyone protested?
Do you know RX-Guru? Did he pass?

Tim W. has just done a piece on the case at ERC24. There was no officiall or written protest, but it seems that there has been some kind of repeated "suggestions" to check the Clio. However, the result of the post-scrutineering has not been publicised yet.

Hansens achievement is certainly incredible - however, I just expect him to win now, it comes as more of a surprise when he doesn't win it to be honest. I'm not knocking him or trying to play down his achievments - I expect him to win because he really is that good :)

It is remarkable that he has won given the competition. I was actually surprised to see that he had won already because the two events that I attended this year, he was quite a bit off the pace. I'm not talking B Final pace (like Ericsson at times) but 3rd throughout the heats and never looked like winning.

I guess it goes to show that consistency is the key in such a tough championship with a high attrition rate. Just looked at his standings and he has basically averaged 2nd/3rd every time. Impressive, steady driving.

Will he make it 15 next year?!

Hansens achievement is certainly incredible - however, I just expect him to win now, it comes as more of a surprise when he doesn't win it to be honest. I'm not knocking him or trying to play down his achievments - I expect him to win because he really is that good :)

Don't agree Bert. From the events ive been at this year the competition in Div1 has been so strong I was suprised he was able to take the crown with events left to go.

I know this is an Irish/British rallycross forum and the interest is mainly on the domestic racers. And that is OK. But I can’t help thinking that it is sad that NO one of you Rallycross lovers seems to appreciate the achievements Kenneth have done enough to congratulate him :s

Whole ERC coverage on here has dropped since someone stopped posting weekend updates. I only just read in Autosport that Gronholm came 12th and rolled it in the heats! Usually we'd have a video by now :laugh:

Congrats to Mr Hansen on a job well done again.

Don't agree Bert. From the events ive been at this year the competition in Div1 has been so strong I was suprised he was able to take the crown with events left to go.

You have the advantage on me there Hal ;) I've not seen any ERC live this year so I bow to your judgement. Is it a case then that Hansen has been consistently picking up good (but not great) results whilst others have had more up and down performances?

guess it goes to show that consistency is the key in such a tough championship

Thats the way he has won so many championships he thinks his way too championships, for instance had Gronholm been a championship contender he would not of won in Sweden, Hansen could of stopped him passing on the way out of the jokerlap.
You have to admire him and congratulate him on achievements, but I always seem to support the underdog I have been a 'secret' Uglycar Jernberg supporter for a few years now.

Lol it is truly an awful looking car that Skoda isnt it!

Hansen has ALWAYS been this way, even in Volvo's he always seemed very calculated and cool and able to take opportunities when they came withotu being desperate.

He learnt his craft in what I consider to be the toughest period in rallycross, late 80's and early 90's Division 1

To be that dominant for that long with pretty similar equipment and budget to everyone else was an obvious sign that Kenneth is perhaps the greatest ralllycross driver ever.

He hasnt the flamboyance of a Schanche, Hunsbedt or Isachsem and I dont think he quite has the sheer pace of a Joranli, Gollop or an Alamaki or Rennison perhaps but he does possess the coolest head I have seen on a race car driver for years.

Rallycross is the ultimate sport for the hot-headed yes this guy consistently delivers, against whoever!!

I think Larsson was a match, but he is gone.

Kenny is the man

He strikes me as a canny businessman too, ie has formed a strong relationship with Citroen, cars and equipment are nice and tidy, etc.

He himself claims that good drivers can win ERC rounds but that only good teams can win the ERC series these days. And he is right. In some of the teams the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing…

Pinomäki’s Renault Clio was confirmed by the FIA to be legal today, after its ECU was checked as well as fuel samples from Poland. Therefore, all four 2008 European RX championships are decided now.

So does it mean we have lost Isachsen challenging Hansen for No.15 as I see all three of his cars (including presumably his car for next year) are all up for sale??

So does it mean we have lost Isachsen challenging Hansen for No.15 as I see all three of his cars (including presumably his car for next year) are all up for sale??

Not a chance of loosing Sverre. In CZ I was discussing the changes they will make on the ex-Larson trailer and the new Scania that will be pulling it next year. I rather think he is setting up a bussiness like Jernberg motorsport: finishing a Gunnarsson shell.

Well thats certainly good news!! So if he sells all 3 cars it must be likely he will build another one?

So does it mean we have lost Isachsen challenging Hansen for No.15 as I see all three of his cars (including presumably his car for next year) are all up for sale??

Kinda strange! If one is looking forward to continue but sells everything he has available there could only be a new make behind the bushes…

He has three cars for sale now by the looks of it!!

The old one that was for sale early 08 and both 2008 cars!!

How much money does this man have to keep all these cars!!

Kinda strange! If one is looking forward to continue but sells everything he has available there could only be a new make behind the bushes…

Yes would tend to agree with you Guru - a little like Mr Rallycross did when he went over to Opel

Yes would tend to agree with you Guru - a little like Mr Rallycross did when he went over to Opel

So I suppose the obvious question to pose is which manufacturer is it likely to be??

maybe the other make that was somewhere at his ford, and that was driven very good by his compatriot...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Panning_Sverre_Isachsen_Ford_Focus_T16_4x4.jpg

I had similar thoughts. However, some years ago that name was much bigger presented on his car (see link above). But these days he has huge Scania stickers on the Focus. And Scania belongs more or less to Volkswagen now…