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15.12.2011 - Mikko Eskelinen had a difficult season 2011: Misfortunate FIA GT3 European Championship series

In season 2011 Flying Finn Mikko Eskelinen, age of 38, measured his speed in 19 events which he drove in Finnish Rally Championship series, in WRC Rally Finland and in FIA GT3 European Championship series.

In Finnish Rally Championship series season 2008 and 2009 Finnish Racing Champion and season 2010 Suomi Cup rally Champion drove five of seven rounds. During the season Eskelinen was able to improve his speed which gave him 11th position in overall classifications. In WRC Rally Finland he and his co-driver Arto Kapanen were 7th fastest in Group-N. Due FIA GT3 test work he was forced to skip two rounds and therefore he missed highly valued Championship points. 11th position doesn't tell the truth of his speed.

In FIA GT3 European Championship series Eskelinen and his team mate danish Christoffer Nygaard drove with german Fischer Racing Ford GT. However due fellow competitor team's new model cars Scandinavians weren't able to match fellow competitors their speed and therefore didn't reach their goals. Pointless results, technical retirements and other dissapointments made sure that Eskelinen and Nygaard weren't seen on podium.

Furthermore Eskelinen had his misfortunate season finale in Nedherlands where in penultimate round he experienced his careers' worst off. Fortunately after a very rough crash only car suffered damages.

In season 2011 Eskelinen was two times on podium as he was victorious in two final rounds of Finnish Racing Championship series which were driven on circuit of Ahvenisto.

– Five rally and seven long racing weekends was a rough experience. When test and developement work, PR-work for my sponsors and partners aswell as busy business schedule were added to 12 racing weeks I cannot thank enough my family for making it possible, Eskelinen shares his thoughts.

- In rallying I was able to improve my performance during the season. 7th position in Group-N of WRC Rally Finland was a good result. Furthermore second fastest drive in Toivakka rallysprint was a delightful result as I was able to drive faster than many more experienced and more successfull drivers. However FIA GT3 positions 7-16 weren't anything I seeked for but those were the best results we could do with old racing car as we tried to race against new and top model cars. And I end my season with a very high paced and my careers' worst crash. Fortunately two victories in Finnish Racing Championship series showed that I haven't lost my skills and I was able to stay on top positions. Season 2011 also showed that to be successfull in international motorsport arenas you need to have a competitive car under you, Eskelinen continued.

New season starts with rallying

Two months ago Eskelinen end his season 2011 by hitting a concrete wall in Nedherlands Zandvoort circuit. After heavy crash he's been focusing his thoughts for forthcoming season under hot Spanish sun. Golf and Enduro has been an excellent opposite to intense competition world and now Mikko is ready for action again. New season starts at the second weekend of January in an opening round of Finnish Rally Championship series which is to be driven in the region of Riihimäki. Also negotiations for GT3 European Championship series have begun.

– My sponsors and partners have shown green light for my season 2012 plans. My season starts by traditional way in Finnish Rally Championship series. In summer I'll again be measuring my speed in WRC Rally Finland and also in few other international rounds, shares Eskelinen his plans.

– Furthermore the negotiations for FIA GT3 European Championship have also begun. Basis for negotiations is to drive with top car and make sure that I'll have best possible positions to drive for success. I also would like to continue my co-operation with german Fischer Racing but it would require an investment for new and competitive car, double-time Finnish Racing Champion continues.

Mikko Eskelinen in season 2011 results:

Rally:
- 27-28.01.2011 Arctic Lapland Rally #1, Rovaniemi 15th
- 29-30.01.2011 Arctic Lapland Rally #2, Rovaniemi 10th
- 18-19.02.2011 SM Vaakuna Rally, Mikkeli 9th
- 04-05.03.2011 SM O.K. Auto rally, Kouvola 10th
- 10-11.06.2011 POP-Pankki SM-rally, Lapua 8th
- 29-31.07.2011 WRC Rally Finland, Jyväskylä 7th (group-N)

FIA GT3 European Championship series:
- 06-08.05.2011 FIA GT3 Algarve, Portugal 7th and retirement
- 03-05.06.2011 FIA GT3 Silverstone, England 16th and 15th
- 01-03.07.2011 FIA GT3 Navarra, Spain retirement and 15th
- 14-17.07.2011 FIA GT3 Paul Richard, France 10th and retirement
- 18-21.08.2011 FIA GT3 Slovakiaring, Slovakia retirement and 8th
- 13-16.10.2011 FIA GT3 Zandvoort, Hollanti retirement

Finnish Racing Championship series:
- 09-10.09.2011 FRC Finals, Ahvenisto 1st and 1st

November: Enduro with IceOne Racing, Spain