Araujo certain WRC Mini will fly
| By David Evans |
Friday, March 25th 2011, 15:40 GMT |
 Mini driver Armindo Araujo expects the John Cooper Works WRC to be right on the pace when it arrives on the Rally d'Italia following the Super 2000 version of the car's impressive first morning in competition.
Araujo is holding eighth overall on the opening day of the Rally of Portugal, but he says the real performance will come with Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke when they arrive in Sardinia in May.
"The car feels a little bit nervous in the high-speed sections and over some of the crests," Araujo said. "It needs to have the big rear wing, which comes with the World Rally Car - that will make a difference to stability. But, even like this, the car gives confidence. It's a good car. Having seen the speed I can take here, I think the official Mini drivers will be very fast!"
Double Production Car World Rally champion Araujo added that he was not taking big risks on his home round of the WRC.
"I am not driving at 100 per cent," he said. "I am driving sensibly, avoiding things and getting to know the car. I didn't do so much testing with the car, but it feels good. I am very relaxed and know I can push more if I need to."
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