MOTORING NEWS - Jose Antonio Suarez and Candido Carrera started the 2016 Rally de Portugal intent on making progress in the brand new Evo version of the 208T16.
However, the early part of the rally turned out to be more challenging than expected. The Peugeot Rally Academy pair began well by posting an encouraging eighth-fastest time on the opening stage, but their chances of a top result were dashed by a roll on the following test. Slick work by the Peugeot Rally Academy's mechanics soon restored their 208T16 back to perfect shape and the 2015208 Rally Cup winners were able to focus on fighting their way back up the order.
They effectively gained 10 places in the overall standings before a double puncture at the end of the third day cost them more valuable time.
They used the final leg to show their speed and that of their 208T16 by posting three more top-six stage times. The Spaniard concluded his first gravel outing in a four-wheel drive car in 12th position and in a positive frame of mind ahead of the his next WRC programme sortie in Sardinia, Italy.
"It was a useful weekend for the whole team. We showed that the 208T16 Evo is both reliable and competitive and that it marks a definite step forward compared with the former version. Unfortunately, my early mistake cost us a big chunk of time. I would like to say a big 'thank you' to the Peugeot Rally Academy's mechanics who repaired my car perfectly to get me back running again, enabling us to continue our apprenticeship of the WRC. I will continue to work hard and I can't wait for our next rally in Italy," Suarez said.
Pepe Lopez (Sainteloc Racing) followed up his recent Rallye Terre des Causses success by claiming the first two stages of the Rallye Antibes Côte d'Azur, but Stéphane Consani (Automeca) crashed out of contention on SS2. Andrea Carella (Power Car Team) took a cautious approach to the Gréolières stage before upping his pace on the following test (Saint-Antonin) to appear in front as Pepe Lopez admitted he was having some difficulty.
Jean-BaptisteFranceschi, Jérémy Fournier (H2L) and Anthony Fotia (Pit Stop) were all side-lined by offs, meanwhile. The afternoon saw Pepe Lopez and Nil Solans (Mavisa Sport) push hard to win SS4 and SS5, but Andrea Carella topped the time sheet on the second visit to Saint-Antonin, the stage that saw him take control the same morning. At the end of Day 1, Carella, Solans and Lopez were covered by less than 30 seconds.
Delighted to be back on asphalt and competing in the mountains that tower over the French Riviera again, Emmanuel Gascou (AFC Racing) was fourth, pursued by a pack of juniors who had every intention of continuing their strong runs on the second leg.
The provisional top eight was rounded out by the confident Jérémie Toedtli (CHL Sport Auto), William Wagner (PHSport), Guillaume de Mevius (PH Sport) and the surprising Quentin Ribaud (CHL Sport Auto) who was pleased to be getting close to the times of the 2016 208 Rally Cup's front-runners.
The next day saw Carella drop a little time during the opening competitive loop due to a poor tyre choice and Nil Solans and Pepe Lopez duly maintained their pressure on the Italian. The afternoon's weather was much hotter, causing the asphalt to become very slippery in places.
It was consequently difficult for the chasers to make any real inroads on Carella's lead and the latter was able to cruise home to his first victory on French soil. Lopez successfully defended second place from compatriot Nil Solans to ensure an appreciable points haul which was further swelled by the three bonus points for the driver who posted the highest number of stage victories wins. As a result, the Spaniard has extended his lead in the provisional 208 Rally Cup standings.
