Good performance of the MINI JCW Rally Plus in two countries
07/07/2024
- Maria Luis Gameiro takes second place in Spain
- Ferreira wins several stages in Italy
X-raid was represented at two events this weekend: the Italian Baja in Italy and the Cierzo Rally in Spain. Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro won two of the three special stages and the prologue at the Italian Baja, the second round of the FIA European Baja Cup. A technical problem on Saturday morning had prevented them from fighting for overall victory. The two Portuguese still secured important points for the championship with their seventh-place finish. In Spain, Pau Navarro and Jan Rose were on a very good path in the X-raid 1000R Turbo Side-by-Side. However, a a defect in the drive train stopped the two Spaniards prematurely. Maria Luis Gameiro, on the other hand, attracted attention. The Portuguese, who competed in the X-raid partner team M Racing, secured second place overall in the MINI JCW Rally Plus together with her co-pilot Jose Marques.
Italian Baja
Ferreira and Palmeiro were hoping to build on their success at the opening event of the FIA European Cup, the Baja Extremadura. Victory in the prologue on Friday initially left no doubt that they would do so. However, a problem with the battery on Saturday morning prevented another top position. The repair in the special stage cost the two Portuguese over 20 minutes on the leader.
In the following two special stages, Ferreira and Palmeiro showed what could have been possible. They each set the fastest time and were able to work their way up from 13th to seventh place overall. This also made them the second-fastest in the Ultimate category and secured them valuable points for the FIA overall standings.
Michal Maluszynski and Lukasz Kurzeja were not so lucky in their MINI JCW Rally Plus. The two Poles had to retire on Saturday morning due to a gearbox problem.
Cierzo Rally
Pau Navarro and Jan Rose were doing very well in the X-raid 1000R Turbo Side-by-Side at the Cierzo Rally. The two Spaniards were even leading the rally after the second special stage. But a defect in the drive train stopped the duo and caused them to retire early.
But the MINI JCW Rally Plus was also able to attract attention in Spain. Portuguese driver Gameiro once again put in a very good performance. Together with her co-driver Marques, she improved from one special stage to the next. On the fourth and final stage, the pair even set the fastest time and took first place. In the overall standings, they secured a sensational second place.
The next event for the X-raid team is the Baja España Aragón from 26 to 28 July 2024.
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Quotes from the drivers
Joao Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally Plus):
“The rally was okay. We were fast and were able to win the prologue and two stages. We only “lost” the stage in which we had the technical problem. But that’s what can happen in motorsport. Despite everything, we were able to score a lot of points for the European Cup.”
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Overall standings
ITALIAN BAJA
1. J. Dias / J. Re – Can-Am – 4h 08m 18s
2. A. Kus / M. Pasek – OT3 – 4h 09m 31s
3. F. Ruiz / F. da Mota – Can-Am – 4h 10m 24s
4. P. Rodriguez / J. Miranda – Can-Am – 4h 21m 57s
5. M. Mengozzi / M. Brun – Toyota – 4h 22m 52s
…
7. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 4h 28m 15s
CIERZO RALLY
1. S. Colomer / S. Jimenez – Toyota – 6h 03m 09s
2. M. Gameiro / J. Marques – MINI JCW Rally Plus – 6h 12m 15s
3. F. Mogni / D. Fernandez – Polaris – 6h 21m 45s
4. J. Fleta / S. Lopez – Polaris – 6h 25m 36s
5. O. Ferreres / S. Carreras – DT3 – 6h 27m 36s