Jarkko Nikara clinches Zlin Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy

Jarkko Nikara’s heroics on the opening day of Barum Czech Rally Zlín have earned the IRC Production Cup ace the latest Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy.

Nikara, who won the IRC Production Cup on Rally San Marino in July, set a sequence of impressive stage times in his near-standard Subaru Impreza R4 STI, including the third-fastest time on stage five. Although an accident put him out of the rally on stage seven, his performance was enough to earn him the prestigious award for the second time.

“Of course this means a lot because the last time I got this award was in Scotland on gravel but now this time it was on a very difficult Tarmac rally,” said the Finn. “I know I can be very fast on both surfaces and I am very happy for this. But I have to thank Tommi Mäkinen Racing, Subaru and Yokohama because they made this possible those fantastic stage times. But I tried also.”

Of his retirement from third place in the IRC Production Cup, Nikara added: “It was very, very big disappointment of course but now I just try to think positive things from this rally and try to learn as much as possible.”

Nikara was chosen as the winner by the three-person judging panel consisting of Eurosport Event’s Gilbert Roy, IRC Manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Colin’s father Jimmy McRae.

Related posts:

  1. Freddy Loix Gets Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy
  2. Freddy Loix wins Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy
  3. Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy success for Jan Kopecky in Corsica
  4. Colin McRae Trophy goes to ace Jan Kopecký
  5. Colin McRae IRC Trophy goes to Juho Hänninen
  6. Jan Kopecky awarded with Colin McRae IRC Trophy
  7. Juho Hänninen takes Colin McRae IRC Trophy
  8. Juho Hänninen wins Colin McRae IRC Trophy
  9. IRC: Colin McRae Flat Out Trophy retained
  10. Loix wins Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy