The 2013 National Champion Miguel Barbosa was the fastest over the 5.5 km Super Special of the Baja Portalegre 500. The Mitsubishi Racing Lancer man and co-driver set a time of 4m39,6s, while Polish Krzystof Holowczyc (Mini All4 Racing) was second, some 6,7s adrift. The third spot went to Reinaldo Varela (Toyota Overdrive), 8,6 seconds from the front.
With a sunny day and temperatures around 20ºC, teams faced a dry track with poor grip, in good part due to the morning run by Bikes, Quads and UTV/Buggy.
Even so, Miguel Barbosa did not ease up on the throttle and ended up beating all his opponents despite not being able to hear his co-driver. “Everything went well, but we drove the entire Super Special without intercoms. I don’t know why, because they were fine before we started. Anyway, it was a good result,” said the six-time National Champion, who was very happy with the support from spectators.
With a trouble-free car, Holowczyc was satisfied with his performance on this first day of competition. The only problem for the Polish was the conditions of the track: “It was too slippery. I think we were losing at least a second per kilometre. The first guys on track have it a bit ruff because they have to ‘clean’ the way,” explained the driver who may leave Portalegre as T1 World Champion.
Third fastest Reinaldo Varela used these first kilometres to get to know what he will be facing. “It was good, but I am still learning about/getting to know the car. It’s my second time with it. The stage was great, with lots of people,” said the Toyota Hilux Overdrive driver.
The Top 5 was rounded up by the Russian Aleksandr Zheludov, also in Toyota, and the local hero Nuno Matos with his Opel Mokka Proto.
Amongst the T2, there are three teams battling for the world crown. However, it was the Portuguese Edgar Condenso who set the pace with his Isuzu D-Max. As for those chasing the world title, Brazilian Marcos Moraes was the fastest, beating his rival Rómulo Branco by a mere 1,2s. The championship leader Alexander Baranenko lost over a minute with a puncture on his Toyota Land Cruiser.
Tomorrow drivers will be facing two Special Stages with a total of 415 km. The first driver will start the SS 2 200 km at 07h15. SS3 starts at noon, with 215 km.
The 2013 National Champion Miguel Barbosa was the fastest over the 5.5 km Super Special of the Baja Portalegre 500. The Mitsubishi Racing Lancer man and co-driver set a time of 4m39,6s, while Polish Krzystof Holowczyc (Mini All4 Racing) was second, some 6,7s adrift. The third spot went to Reinaldo Varela (Toyota Overdrive), 8,6 seconds from the front.
With a sunny day and temperatures around 20ºC, teams faced a dry track with poor grip, in good part due to the morning run by Bikes, Quads and UTV/Buggy.
Even so, Miguel Barbosa did not ease up on the throttle and ended up beating all his opponents despite not being able to hear his co-driver. “Everything went well, but we drove the entire Super Special without intercoms. I don’t know why, because they were fine before we started. Anyway, it was a good result,” said the six-time National Champion, who was very happy with the support from spectators.
With a trouble-free car, Holowczyc was satisfied with his performance on this first day of competition. The only problem for the Polish was the conditions of the track: “It was too slippery. I think we were losing at least a second per kilometre. The first guys on track have it a bit ruff because they have to ‘clean’ the way,” explained the driver who may leave Portalegre as T1 World Champion.
Third fastest Reinaldo Varela used these first kilometres to get to know what he will be facing. “It was good, but I am still learning about/getting to know the car. It’s my second time with it. The stage was great, with lots of people,” said the Toyota Hilux Overdrive driver.
The Top 5 was rounded up by the Russian Aleksandr Zheludov, also in Toyota, and the local hero Nuno Matos with his Opel Mokka Proto.
Amongst the T2, there are three teams battling for the world crown. However, it was the Portuguese Edgar Condenso who set the pace with his Isuzu D-Max. As for those chasing the world title, Brazilian Marcos Moraes was the fastest, beating his rival Rómulo Branco by a mere 1,2s. The championship leader Alexander Baranenko lost over a minute with a puncture on his Toyota Land Cruiser.
Tomorrow drivers will be facing two Special Stages with a total of 415 km. The first driver will start the SS 2 200 km at 07h15. SS3 starts at noon, with 215 km.