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Juho Hanninen the fastest in Mexico City in Guanajuato Rally

Driver Juho Hanninen and co-driver Kaj Lindstorm, both of Finland, in their Toyota Yaris WRC, fly off a ramp in the Zocalo, Mexico City’s main square, in the first stage of the Rally Guanajuato in Mexico City, Thursday, March 9, 2017. After kicking off the rally in the capital’s historic center, World Rally Championship competition continues from March 10 to March 12 in the state of Guanajuato. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press)
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY – Finland’s Juho Hanninen was the fastest driver Thursday night in the speed tests for the Guanajuato Rally that was raced for the first time in the country’s main square.

Driving his Toyota Yaris through the square, Hanninen had a time of 3 minutes, 37.2 seconds. Ott Tanak of Estonia was second in 3:38.8, and Britain’s Kris Meeke followed in 3:38.8.

The Guanajuato Rally has been a regular visitor to the country for the past 14 years, but this was the first time that a stage took place in the nation’s capital. The drivers competed on a 1.57-kilometer course inside the square.

The competition will resume on Friday in the Guanajuato mountains, located around 370 kilometers to the northwest of the capital.

Formula One drivers from the Red Bull team did an exhibition around the square in June 2015.

Mexican officials said that 60,000 fans attended the race.