Baja España Aragón: podium finish for Joao Ferreira
07/29/2024
- The MINI JCW Rally Plus continues its success story
- Bad luck for Pau Navarro
Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro were able to build on their successes from previous events in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. The two Portuguese secured another podium finish with third place at the España Aragón. Pau Navarro and Annett Quandt in the X-raid 1000R Turbo Side-by-Side were very unlucky. On Saturday they were in a promising fourth place in the Challenger classification. But shortly before the end of the last stage on Sunday, they lost over an hour due to a technical defect. They had to settle for 31st place in the Challenger class and 53rd place overall.
The Baja Aragón is the third of a total of eight events in the FIA World Baja Cup and has been one of the season’s highlights for years. Thousands of Spanish fans don’t miss the opportunity to see the rally vehicles in Teruel. On Saturday, Ferreira and Palmeiro still had problems keeping up with the speed of some of their competitors. After finishing fourth on the first stage and third in the afternoon, they ended the day in third place overall. On the final stage on Sunday, Ferreira attacked again and secured second place. However, he was unable to make up enough time and held on to a good third place overall.
Alejandro Martins and David Monteiro finished the Baja Spain in the MINI JCW Rally Plus in twelfth place overall and sixth place in the Ultimate classification. Maria Gameiro and Jose Marques finished in 22nd place in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. In the Ultimate classification, they are ranked eighth.
The next event for the X-raid team is the Hungarian Baja (FIA European Baja Cup) from 8 to 11 August 2024.
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Quotes from the drivers
Joao Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally Plus):
‘We were able to collect important points for the World Cup – that is always our top priority. Unfortunately, on Saturday we lacked the pace to be in contention for victory. Today things went much better and we were able to secure second place in the last test. I am satisfied with the weekend.’
Pau Navarro (X-raid 1000R Turbo):
‘It was a good weekend, during which we found a good rhythm. Unfortunately, the ball joint of the suspension broke 15 kilometres before the finish. This cost us a lot of time.’
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Overall standings
1. G. De Mevius / M. Baumel – Toyota – 6h 12m 26s
2. R. Baciuska / O. Vidal – Toyota – 6h 18m 53s
3. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 6h 19m 29s
4. E. Goczal / O. Mena – Taurus – 6h 23m 56s
5. N. Roma / A. Haro – Ford – 6h 25m 28s
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12. A. Martins / D. Monteiro – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 6h 44m 48s
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22. M. Gameiro / J. Marques – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 7h 05m 29s
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53. P. Navarro / A. Quandt – X-raid 1000R Turbo – 7h 49m 24s