Juho Hänninen says Freddy Loix’s vast GEKO Ypres Rally experience will ensure he’s on top of the leaderboard when the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier finishes in the Belgian market town on Saturday night.
Loix is a six-time winner of the demanding asphalt rally and Hänninen, the defending IRC champion and current title leader, believes the 40-year-old from Belgium will be the driver to beat in his BFO Škoda Rally Team Fabia.
“It will be difficult for Freddy because Thierry Neuville can be strong but I am still counting for Freddy because he has that big experience,” said Škoda Motorsport driver Hänninen, who won’t be competing in Ypres as it does not form part of his schedule of events for 2011.
Hänninen (pictured) ordinarily chooses not to follow rallies he is not competing on but says he will make an exception for the Ypres Rally.
“I will be working on my farm in the day but in the evening I will look at the times of my team-mate Jan Kopecký,” said Hänninen. “I will also talk to Jan before the rally because I am interested to know how is testing went and what set-up he will use.”