At the end of the first day of the recce for this year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the drivers seem to like the stages that will form the completely new route for the vast majority of crews competing this year.
Last used in 2001, the northern stages differ from those in the southern Algarve region significantly.
According to the drivers, this year’s roads are more open and flowing and those which make up the first day of the event appear to use a softer, sandier base.
Explaining, Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT driver and Rally Argentina winner, Kris Meeke, said; “The stages look really nice – really good condition. Some are deceptive – they have a hard base and could be bumpy but generally, very nice. In the south, there are a lot of blind crests and corners but here, it is more simple and if you don't have so much experience, it could be a little more enjoyable, as you can see where the road goes more.”
M-Sport WRT’s Elfyn Evans echoed Meeke’s feeling but added a word of caution; “The stages are very nice and have a really mixed character. I think it will be interesting to see how the surface holds up. It looks good but I think it could get rougher for the second pass, as the roads aren't long repaired.” He mentioned the recent re-grading of the roads in preparation for the rally, after the wet winter.
Hyundai Motorsport’s Thierry Neuville was impressed with the scenery in the region of Friday’s stages, close to the Lima river north if Oporto. “The stages are looking really nice – it is beautiful on top of the hills. I’m looking forward to seeing the more southern stages tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Two of the competitors in WRC2 – Nasser Al-Attiyah and Esapekka Lappi, driving the brand-new Skoda Fabia R5 – were also mindful of the possibility of changing road conditions as the event progresses.
Lappi said; “The stages are faster generally but the surface is a little soft, so I don’t know how it will survive. The second run through will be rougher, I think”
Al-Attiyah also predicted a challenging event; “I think it will be a tough rally, not an easy one. But I am very happy to be here. I have never been in the north of the country and the roads are very nice – completely different from the south but the same for everyone.”
Tomorrow (Wednesday) sees the crews complete the second of the two recce days, this time the five separate stretches of road to the east of Oporto that form the third and fourth days of the event.
At the end of the first day of the recce for this year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the drivers seem to like the stages that will form the completely new route for the vast majority of crews competing this year.
Last used in 2001, the northern stages differ from those in the southern Algarve region significantly.
According to the drivers, this year’s roads are more open and flowing and those which make up the first day of the event appear to use a softer, sandier base.
Explaining, Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT driver and Rally Argentina winner, Kris Meeke, said; “The stages look really nice – really good condition. Some are deceptive – they have a hard base and could be bumpy but generally, very nice. In the south, there are a lot of blind crests and corners but here, it is more simple and if you don't have so much experience, it could be a little more enjoyable, as you can see where the road goes more.”
M-Sport WRT’s Elfyn Evans echoed Meeke’s feeling but added a word of caution; “The stages are very nice and have a really mixed character. I think it will be interesting to see how the surface holds up. It looks good but I think it could get rougher for the second pass, as the roads aren't long repaired.” He mentioned the recent re-grading of the roads in preparation for the rally, after the wet winter.
Hyundai Motorsport’s Thierry Neuville was impressed with the scenery in the region of Friday’s stages, close to the Lima river north if Oporto. “The stages are looking really nice – it is beautiful on top of the hills. I’m looking forward to seeing the more southern stages tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Two of the competitors in WRC2 – Nasser Al-Attiyah and Esapekka Lappi, driving the brand-new Skoda Fabia R5 – were also mindful of the possibility of changing road conditions as the event progresses.
Lappi said; “The stages are faster generally but the surface is a little soft, so I don’t know how it will survive. The second run through will be rougher, I think”
Al-Attiyah also predicted a challenging event; “I think it will be a tough rally, not an easy one. But I am very happy to be here. I have never been in the north of the country and the roads are very nice – completely different from the south but the same for everyone.”
Tomorrow (Wednesday) sees the crews complete the second of the two recce days, this time the five separate stretches of road to the east of Oporto that form the third and fourth days of the event.
