Rising star earns WRC star's praise

2010 IRC 2WD Champion Harry hunt has earned the praise of World Rally Star Mikko Hirvonen, when the young British driver tested a Ford Fiesta S2000 on an especially laid-out tarmac test stage at Carlisle Airport.

The 22-year-old from London won the drive after winning the International Fiesta Sport Trophy. Mikko Hirvonen sat with Hunt in the Fiesta S2000 as he took the car around the course.

Speaking after the test, Hirvonen praised Hunt, saying: “Harry really impressed me today – he’s got a lot of potential behind the wheel and considering this is only his first full year competing he’s done extremely well.  He’s still very new to the sport but [is] a very determined individual who is eager to succeed.  He also set some very fast times in the [Fiesta SportTrophy International] Shootout so I’m sure with more experience he will only get better.”

Also present at the test were Fiesta Shootout winner Stephen Barker and Stobart driver Matthew Wilson. Wilson coached Barker on driving the Fiesta S2000, a very different machine to the 2WD Fiesta that he is used to.

“Matthew gave me some great tips on car handling, smooth gear change and throttle position. I think I’ve got as much out of it as I possibly could. This has been such a fantastic week.” Barker said.