Many Fans and WRC folk will be sad to hear that one of the Longest and favourite WRC characters will be leaving the sport after Wales Rally GB. After 13 years of competing in the sport, Mikko Hirvonen has decided to Bid farewell to the sport.

Making the announcement on his website he said, “I have so many incredible memories from the last thirteen seasons! I have had the chance to achieve my childhood dreams! I have travelled all around the world, met some fantastic people and have loved every rally and every fight that I have had with some exceptional drivers. I won some and I lost some but, for sure, I will look back on these moments to the end of my days with a great big smile on my face.”

“Throughout the many years of my competitive career, I have focussed on myself a lot. Rallying has taken up a large part of my life and the pace of the calendar has always been fairly unrelenting. I have enjoyed absolutely every minute of it and although I still love driving now, I would also like to concentrate more on other important things which are part of my life, like my children and my family. There are many areas that I have not yet explored and I’d like to give myself the chance to try new experiences.”

I myself have had some great memories and laughs with Mikko. His brilliant personality and character will be missed from the WRC. On behalf of myself and InsideRally.com we wish him all the best for his future. Lets enjoy watching his ‘Sisu‘ one last time on Wales Rally GB, his final round of the WRC.

MIKKO’S STATISTICS IN THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Starts: 162

Wins: 15

Runner-up: 28

Podium finishes: 68

Number of stage wins: 259

Points scored: 1,192

Longest run of consecutive wins: 4 in 2009

(Acropolis Rally – Rally Poland – Rally Finland – Rally Australia)

Longest run of consecutive podium finishes: 8 (2009 Rally Sardegna to 2010 Rally Sweden)

Longest run of consecutive points finishes: 22 (2007 Rally Japan to 2009 Rally de Portugal)

Most wins at a single rally: Rally Australia (2006 – 2009 – 2011)

checkout the full article on Mikko’s website – http://www.mikkohirvonen.com/mikkothfb/

Below is Mikko Hirvonen’s farewell video