Rally Portugal – SS1 Mikko wins spectator stage

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

After the first stage of Rally Portugal, set up as a spectator stage in Lisboa, flying Fords fin, Mikko Hirvonen has took the top spot on the 3.27km stage, to lead by 1.3 secs from 7 times champ Sebastien Loeb. With Petter Solberg 2.1 off the top spot.

Photo: D.Darrall

 

It was an eventful stage with stobarts Mads Ostberg hitting a barrier and breaking his front right wheel, which came off the young Norweigans Fiesta, and after bouncing down the road and over the barriers, it hit the crowd of spectators. when asked about the mistake the Norwegian remorsefully said “How is it possible to be that stupid?”

Some drivers commented on how slippy the tarmac stage was, going out on cold Gravel tyres an set-up. Ogier completed the stage in 2.9 seconds, followed by Fords Jari-Matti Latvala, with Federico Villagra heading ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Armindo Araujo is the leading Portuguese driver in 10th overall after making the first appearance in his new MINI John Cooper Works Super 2000.

The fastest PWRC drver was Norwegian Anders Grondal in his Subaru Impreza. The short superspecial also marked the start of the FIA WRC Academy, which is lead by Yeray Lemes after stage 1. The action starts properly tomorrow out on the dusty gravel mountain roads.

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VIDEO:WRC Portugal Ford testing

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Freelance Camera man David Dwyer from Northern Loop productions has been out again, Pre-rally with Ford to film their testing for Rally Portugal.

WRC Rally portugal Ford test.

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Block out of rally after Monster crash

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Ken Block is out of Rally Portugal after he rolled his Monster Ford RS WRC 5 times on tonight’s shakedown stage.

By D.Darrall

Both Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino were hospitalised after the crash, but a team spokesmen said neither was seriously injured in the accident. The spokesman said: “Both Ken and Alex have been taken to hospital in Faro for precautionary checks. All I know is that they rolled, but they’re okay. We won’t know the situation with the car until it is recovered back to service.”

The crash was around 1.8km into the short 5km stage, when the American star lost control of his Fiesta on a 4th-gear right. The car clipped a bank, and is said to have rolled in the air over a bank, landing in the trees. Shakedown was stopped while the crew were taken out of the car and transported to hospital in Faro.

The crew are expected to be released from hospital this evening, but they will not be starting the third round of the World Rally Championship. The car is reportedly destroyed.

Last years winner Sebastien Ogier was fastest at shakedown, beating Loeb by just one tenth of a second. Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala was third quickest, three tenths off Ogier’s time.

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VIDEO: First look at S2000 Mini & Ford Fiesta Test

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

In the build up to Rally Portugal, Round 3 of the 2011 World Rally Championships. The crews have been out testing, and getting the cars set up and ready for this weekend. Northern-Loop Productions has been out filming the action.

First look at the all new S2000 version of the Mini John Copper Works WRC car being prepped. And Ford Fiesta RS WRC test with Jari-Matti Latvala.

Test run of Ford Fiesta RS WRC, On-board with Bernardo Sousa.



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