– Two MINI JCW Rally Plus in the top 10
– Successful start to the 2024 FIA European Baja Cup4
The two Portuguese drivers Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro are still on the road to success in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. Following their second place in the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, they secured victory in the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura. The rally, which was held in the Spanish border region with Portugal, was the first event of the FIA European Baja Cup.
On the first day, Ferreira and Palmeiro kept a low profile and did not take any risks. With second place in the prologue and sixth place on the first special stage, they finished the day in sixth place overall. But yesterday, Saturday, the pair went on the attack in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. Despite a puncture on the second stage, they set the fastest time and also took the lead in the overall standings. Later, they also secured victory in the third and final special stage and won the Baja with a lead of almost four and a half minutes.
Maria Luis Gameiro and José Marques achieved a very good tenth place overall in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. The two Portuguese drivers competed together with the X-raid partner team MRacing Portugal.
Quotes from the drivers
Joao Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally Plus): « That was a nice rally, but also tough. Especially Friday, as I was a bit ill. Everything worked very well on Saturday. We not only won the two stages, but also the rally and scored important points for the championship. The MINI was super and very reliable. Thanks to X-raid for the support. »
Overall standings
1. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 5h 13m 35s
2. F. Barreto / C. Duarte – Toyota – 5h 18m 01s
3. R. Carneiro / O. Floene – OT3 – 5h 21m 28s
4. A. Pinto / B. Oliveira – Can-Am – 5h 21m 37s
5. A. Araujo / P. Ré – OT3 – 5h 27m 22s…
10. M. Gameiro / J. Marques – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 5h 49m 10s…