The two Portuguese drivers Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro continue to ride the wave of success with the MINI JCW Rally Plus. They secured their next victory at the Baja TT Sharish Gin. The Baja was the fourth of five events in the FIA European Baja Cup and also the fifth of seven events in the Portuguese Off-road Championship. Second place sensationally went to the Portuguese duo Helder Oliveira and Fausto Mota in the MINI JCW Rally. Alejandro Martins and David Monteiro rounded off the successful weekend with tenth place. Oliveira and Martins compete for the X-raid partner team M Racing.
At the three-day event, there was no getting past the MINI developed and built by X-raid. Ferreira won the first two special stages in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. On Sunday, Oliveira was in front in the MINI JCW Rally. He had finished the previous stages in second place. He secured second place behind Ferreira. Martins had to struggle with the Baja TT Sharish Gin. But after finishing Friday’s stage in 32nd place, he worked his way back up the field and made it into the top 10 on Sunday.
In a few weeks, X-raid will already be competing in the next rally. The Rallye du Maroc (5-11 October 2024) marks the end of the World Rally Raid Championship. X-raid will announce its line-up in the coming days.
Quotes from the drivers
Joao Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally Plus):
‘We can look back on another very good event. Unfortunately, we had a problem with the power steering in left-hand corners today. That made it a really tough day. Nevertheless, we managed to win the Baja, which is ultimately the most important thing.’