Suarez
victorious
in rising
star poll

The popular Spaniard, runner-up in the FIA WRC Academy, received 60 per cent of the vote, 22 per cent more than runner-up, the Saudi Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who impressed in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Craig Breen was third with Thierry Neuville fourth and Andreas Mikkelsen fifth.

Suarez was one of the most consistent performers during his second season in the WRC Academy. However, it wasn’t until the season-closing RallyRACC-Rally de Espana that he landed his maiden victory in the young driver-training category.

The full results are as follows:

1: Jose Suarez: 203,684 votes

2: Yazeed Al-Rajhi: 127,303

3: Craig Breen: 2,565

4: Thierry Neuville: 2,245

5: Andreas Mikkelsen: 768

6: Hans Weijs: 687

7: Sebastien Chardonnet: 684

8: Esapekka Lappi: 491

9: Jarkko Nikara: 221

10: Elfyn Evans: 190

Visit WRC.com for more polls soon, including Heroes of 2012, Rallies of 2012, Cars of 2012, Moments of 2012.