mikko hirvonen massive crash testing in tuscany

[wagon dec]

Citroen's Mikko Hirvonen suffered a massive off while testing in Tuscany this week in preparation for Rally New Zealand.

The Finn, who took over from team-mate, Sebastien Loeb, on Thursday, crashed around half-way through the stage, rolling his Citroen DS3 WRC car multiple times.

Hirvonen and co-driver, Jarmo Lehtinen, both escaped unharmed, although they were taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

“Mikko rolled a lot of times, the accident was high-speed. The most important thing is that Mikko and Jarmo are both OK. They are back at the hotel tonight. The test is finished,” a spokesperson for the Citroen Total WRT told Autosport.com.

Hirvonen meanwhile, who promised he would be faster in NZ after struggling to match the pace of Loeb and the Ford's of Jari-Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg in Greece [see separate story - HERE], has described the off as 'one of the biggest crashes of his career', according to best-of-rallylive.com.

the aftermath..........
http://nsa29.casimages.com/img/2012/05/31/120531091124327549.jpg

 

[eliroche]

Mad the way those lads get out of these! Says alot for the safety of the car.

 

[scoobysub]

big off all right he's very lucky there was nothing to hit or it would have being a lot worse . so easy happen

 

[CARLO]

Jesus that's some off allright.

 

[gonzogicker]

Have to say Hirvonen seems to be pushing too hard here. Lucky enough for the cameraman also. Yet he seems to be firmly stuck at number 2 in the team. Ogier looked like the only guy recently to worry leob. Pity he is not in a competitive car.