2011 Mecsek Rallye
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Mecsek Rallye, officially Canon 45. Mecsek Rallye, was the eighth round of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge
(IRC) season. The fourteen stage asphalt rally – held as a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the first time – took place over 10–11 September 2011 with all stages held in daylight.
mountain city of Pécs
, in the Baranya County of Hungary. The opening events took place on 9 September, starting in Széchenyi square
, in the old town of Pécs with a special musicial performance, composed by Tibor Bogányi, the conductor of the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra, for brass winds and car horns. Following the short concert the racers drove from the square to the Pécs Plaza, where the ceremonial start was held and the rally was officially opened by Csaba Nagy, deputy major of Pécs, Erik Bánki, president of the Tourist and Sports Committee of the Parliament and Zsolt Gyulay, head of the National Automobilesport Federaton of Hungary. The prologue was staged in the late afternoon on a 1.2 km (0.745647283979768 mi) track and was won by local driver Dávid Botka ahead of Bruno Magalhães
.
The rally began the next day; initially eight asphalt stages covering 144.46 km (89.8 mi) were scheduled for Saturday, however, due to safety reasons the final stage of the day was cancelled. The closing six stages, consisting of 107.4 km (66.7 mi) were completed on Sunday.
led the rally from start, but was forced to retire on the penultimate stage after he hit a log, with Jan Kopecký
taking the lead and held on to take took his second consecutive IRC victory on the rally, by just 0.8 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville
, in the closest finish in Intercontinental Rally Challenge history.
2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season
The 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge is the sixth season of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The season again consists of twelve rounds and started on 19 January with the 79° Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo...
(IRC) season. The fourteen stage asphalt rally – held as a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the first time – took place over 10–11 September 2011 with all stages held in daylight.
Introduction
The rally, which was run for the 45th time, was based in the MecsekMecsek
Mecsek is a mountain range in southern Hungary. It is situated in the Baranya region, in the north of the city of Pécs.-Geography:The mountains cover an area of approximately 500 km². The highest peak in the mountain range is Zengő , which has an elevation of 682 metres...
mountain city of Pécs
Pécs
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county...
, in the Baranya County of Hungary. The opening events took place on 9 September, starting in Széchenyi square
Széchenyi square (Pécs)
Széchenyi square is the main square in the historical centre of Pécs, Hungary. In the Middle Ages it served as the market place of the town with the city hall and the parish church. Before the square was named Széchenyi in 1864 it had had several other names like Fórum, Városi piacz , Főtér...
, in the old town of Pécs with a special musicial performance, composed by Tibor Bogányi, the conductor of the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra, for brass winds and car horns. Following the short concert the racers drove from the square to the Pécs Plaza, where the ceremonial start was held and the rally was officially opened by Csaba Nagy, deputy major of Pécs, Erik Bánki, president of the Tourist and Sports Committee of the Parliament and Zsolt Gyulay, head of the National Automobilesport Federaton of Hungary. The prologue was staged in the late afternoon on a 1.2 km (0.745647283979768 mi) track and was won by local driver Dávid Botka ahead of Bruno Magalhães
Bruno Magalhães
Bruno Magalhães is a Portuguese rally driver. He is a regular competitor in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 for Peugeot Sport Portugal. He is a twice-podium finisher on the Rali Vinho da Madeira, finishing second in 2007 and second in 2009. He won the 2010 Rally...
.
The rally began the next day; initially eight asphalt stages covering 144.46 km (89.8 mi) were scheduled for Saturday, however, due to safety reasons the final stage of the day was cancelled. The closing six stages, consisting of 107.4 km (66.7 mi) were completed on Sunday.
Results
Andreas MikkelsenAndreas Mikkelsen
Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team...
led the rally from start, but was forced to retire on the penultimate stage after he hit a log, with Jan Kopecký
Jan Kopecký
Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport....
taking the lead and held on to take took his second consecutive IRC victory on the rally, by just 0.8 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville
Thierry Neuville
Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo...
, in the closest finish in Intercontinental Rally Challenge history.
Overall
| Pos. | Driver | Co-driver | Car | Time | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  Jan KopeckýJan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
Petr Starý |
Škoda Fabia S2000 Škoda Fabia S2000 The Škoda Fabia S2000 is Super 2000 rally car built by Škoda Motorsport. It is based upon the Škoda Fabia road car. It made its début at Rallye Monte Carlo 2009, with factory team Škoda Motorsport and drivers Jan Kopecký and Juho Hänninen. The car appeared as fast as Hänninen was leading until a... |
2:00:06.7 | 0.0 | 25 |
| 2. |  Thierry NeuvilleThierry Neuville Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo... |
Nicolas Gilsoul |
Peugeot 207 S2000 | 2:00:07.5 | 0.8 | 18 |
| 3. | Freddy Loix Freddy Loix Freddy Loix is a Belgian rally driver.Loix's career in motor sport began in karting at the age of 15... |
Frédéric Miclotte |
Škoda Fabia S2000 Škoda Fabia S2000 The Škoda Fabia S2000 is Super 2000 rally car built by Škoda Motorsport. It is based upon the Škoda Fabia road car. It made its début at Rallye Monte Carlo 2009, with factory team Škoda Motorsport and drivers Jan Kopecký and Juho Hänninen. The car appeared as fast as Hänninen was leading until a... |
2:01:06.7 | 1:00.0 | 15 |
| 4. |  Bryan BouffierBryan Bouffier Bryan Bouffier is French rally driver. Currently competing in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, he won the 2011 Monte Carlo Rally.-Career:... |
Xavier Panseri |
Peugeot 207 S2000 | 2:01:42.3 | 1:35.6 | 12 |
| 5. |  Hermann GassnerHermann Gassner Hermann Gassner, Jr. is a German rally driver, currently competing in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship . His father Hermann Gassner, Sr. is also a rally driver.-Career:... |
Timo Gottschalk |
Škoda Fabia S2000 Škoda Fabia S2000 The Škoda Fabia S2000 is Super 2000 rally car built by Škoda Motorsport. It is based upon the Škoda Fabia road car. It made its début at Rallye Monte Carlo 2009, with factory team Škoda Motorsport and drivers Jan Kopecký and Juho Hänninen. The car appeared as fast as Hänninen was leading until a... |
2:02:39.2 | 2:32.5 | 10 |
| 6. |  György Aschenbrenner |
Zsuzsa Pikó |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | 2:02:44.9 | 2:38.2 | 8 |
| 7. |  Toni GardemeisterToni Gardemeister Toni Gardemeister , is a professional rally driver in the World Rally Championship. After previously competing for SEAT's, Mitsubishi's, Škoda's and Ford's factory teams, as well as for privateer teams, he joined the Suzuki World Rally Team for the 2008 season.-Early:From the outset of his career... |
Tapio Suominen |
Škoda Fabia S2000 Škoda Fabia S2000 The Škoda Fabia S2000 is Super 2000 rally car built by Škoda Motorsport. It is based upon the Škoda Fabia road car. It made its début at Rallye Monte Carlo 2009, with factory team Škoda Motorsport and drivers Jan Kopecký and Juho Hänninen. The car appeared as fast as Hänninen was leading until a... |
2:03:12.3 | 3:05.6 | 6 |
| 8. | Róbert Bútor |
Igor Bacigál |
Peugeot 207 S2000 | 2:03:23.5 | 3:16.8 | 4 |
| 9. |  Bruno MagalhãesBruno Magalhães Bruno Magalhães is a Portuguese rally driver. He is a regular competitor in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 for Peugeot Sport Portugal. He is a twice-podium finisher on the Rali Vinho da Madeira, finishing second in 2007 and second in 2009. He won the 2010 Rally... |
Paulo Grave |
Peugeot 207 S2000 | 2:03:58.4 | 3:51.7 | 2 |
| 10. |  Beppo Harrach |
Andreas Schindlbacher |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | 2:04:20.7 | 4:14.0 | 1 |
Special stages
| Day | Stage | Time | Name | Length | Winner | Time | Avg. spd. | Rally leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 (10 September) |
SS1 | 9:08 | Hetvehely 1 | 18.21 km |  Andreas MikkelsenAndreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
8:50.2 | 123.64 km/h | Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
| SS2 | 10:06 | Orfű 1 | 28.00 km | Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
14:16.4 | 117.70 km/h | ||
| SS3 | 12:34 | Pécsvárad 1 | 12.00 km | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
6:46.0 | 106.40 km/h | ||
| SS4 | 13:37 | Alsómocsolád 1 | 14.02 km | Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
6:53.2 | 122.15 km/h | ||
| SS5 | 16:10 | Hetvehely 2 | 18.21 km | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
8:47.6 | 124.25 km/h | ||
| SS6 | 17:08 | Orfű 2 | 28.00 km | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
14:10.5 | 118.52 km/h | ||
| SS7 | 19:36 | Pécsvárad 2 | 12.00 km | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
6:49.1 | 105.60 km/h | ||
| SS8 | 20:39 | Alsómocsolád 2 | 14.02 km | stage cancelled | ||||
| Leg 2 (11 September) |
SS9 | 9:08 | Zobák 1 | 12.00 km | Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
6:51.2 | 105.06 km/h | |
| SS10 | 9:51 | Árpádtető 1 | 24.00 km | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... Andreas MikkelsenAndreas Mikkelsen Andreas Mikkelsen is a Norwegian rally driver. His co-driver is Ola Fløene.-Career:Mikkelsen has a broad background in sports. He has competed in slalom and giant slalom, and was a member of the national juniors' alpine skiing team... |
11:09.8 | 128.99 km/h | ||
| SS11 | 10:44 | Nyárásvölgy 1 | 17.70 km | Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo... |
8:29.9 | 124.97 km/h | ||
| SS12 | 13:17 | Zobák 2 | 12.00 km | Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo... |
6:48.4 | 105.78 km/h | ||
| SS13 | 14:00 | Árpádtető 2 | 24.00 km | Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo... |
11:06.4 | 129.65 km/h | Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport.... |
|
| SS14 | 14:53 | Nyárásvölgy 2 | 17.70 km | Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville Thierry Neuville is Belgian rally driver. He is currently competing in JWRC and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. His co-driver was Nicolas Klinger from his debuts to the end of 2010, Nicolas Klinger was replaced by Nicolas Gilsoul for the first 2011 IRC rally, Monte Carlo... |
8:26.4 | 125.83 km/h | ||