There’s an old saying in the world of rally: if you want to win, hire a Finn. And since it rhymes, it must be true right?
Regardless of its veracity, you could definitely apply this little nugget of knowledge to former WRC->ke523 driver Mikko Hirvonen. The man competed in the highest form of rally racing for a dozen years, and while a championship title remains unattached to his resume, his 15 rally wins, 69 podiums, and 260 stage wins helped propel Ford->ke31 to a manufacturer’s title in 2006 and 2007, while 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012 saw him finish runner-up to none other than the most successful WRC driver of all time, Sebastien Loeb.
Clearly, Hirvonen knows what to do when it comes to car control. So then, what’s he up to now that he isn’t sliding sideways in a rally car? Well, sliding sideways in a Mercedes, ->ke187 apparently.
Finnish auto publication Tuulilasi magazine employed the racer to put the spurs to AMG’s new GT S coupe, a car with 510 horsepower, a 0-to-62 mph time of 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 193 mph. The frame and chassis are made from magnesium and aluminum, and the transmission is a revised seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It’s an intimidating package for mere mortals, sure. But Hirvonen has superhero nerves forged from 12 years of sideways insanity. Studded tires help too.
You can probably guess what happens next: Hooning on ice!