Araujo suffers early Portugal blow

Portugal's hopes of a dream result for local hero Armindo Araujo took a hit earlier this week, when the Mini driver had to change his engine ahead of this week's Rally of Portugal

Araujo suffers early Portugal blow

Double Production Car World Rally champion Araujo is contesting his home WRC round in a Super 2000 version of the Mini John Cooper Works, but the engine in the car is largely the same as the World Rally Car version which makes its debut in Italy in May.

Araujo was forced to change the 1.6-litre motor after it suffered a technical problem early in his test.

"We were trying to find the ideal set-up for the car," said Araujo, "but we had to stop early, as we had a problem with the engine. The team is trying to find the problem but we have a spare engine for the rally, which is better than we tested last week.

"There was nothing to prove on the test - we were just trying to find the feeling with the car and cover as many kilometres as possible. I know we won't be able to fight with the World Rally Cars and we have nothing to prove, so we just want to see how the car is."

Araujo's will not be the only Mini present in Portugal. Daniel Oliveira is also driving a John Cooper Works S2000 on the Faro-based event which starts tomorrow.

shares
comments

Latvala keen for better Portugal form

Hirvonen in pre-Portugal scare

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Mexico
Tom Howard

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Sweden
Tom Howard

How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Monte Carlo
Tom Howard

Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

Plus
Plus
WRC
Rally Monte Carlo
Tom Howard

How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title

Plus
Plus
WRC
Tom Howard

Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title