Huge testing accident for Mikko Hirvonen

Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen were unhurt in a high-speed accident in testing on Thursday.

The two Finns were hospitalised for tests after the accident in Italy, but both have been given the all-clear.

The crash happened when Hirvonen was just past the halfway point of the day-long test. Due to the testing restrictions on long-haul rallies, teams have to confine their preparations to mainland Europe, which is why fine-tuning for Rally New Zealand was taking place in Tuscany.

A Citroen spokesperson said: "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."

Sebastien Loeb completed his one-day test the previous day..

Rally New Zealand, round seven of the World Rally Championship, starts from Auckland on June 21, with Loeb and Hirvonen holding first and second in the standings.

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