Elsewhere drivers midday quotes on final day in Portugal 01.04.2012: WRC Rallyes Round 4 VODAFONE RALLY DE PORTUGAL, DAY 4 Mads Østberg, Adapta World Rally Team, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (3rd) “We had an engine

WRC Rallyes  Round 4 VODAFONE RALLY DE PORTUGAL, DAY 4



Mads Østberg, Adapta World Rally Team, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (3rd) “We had an engine problem towards the end of the long stage [SS18] and we had to do the last stage [SS19] on three cylinders. Ok, we are still here with a comfortable gap to Evgeny [Novikov], but anything can happen.

"We are not 100 per cent sure what the problem is. We had a misfire on the second stage [SS18] and had to go to road mode. After one or two kilometres it started to run clearly again so we continued in stage mode. But then towards the end it started again [about 1 km from the end].

“It is not so good, but hopefully it is something we can fix. It comes and goes so we don’t think it is something wrong with the engine itself, more likely a problem with the electronics so we should be able to get it fixed in service.”


Martin Prokop, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (5th) “This morning was not so good because we chose the hard tyres. The stages were very slippery and we had only six of the harder tyre so we lost a lot of time to Dennis [Kuipers]. That was not the plan. We’ll have to speed up over the afternoon loop and hopefully we can retain our fifth place.”


Jari Ketomaa, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (12th) “We had no problems this morning. The car is running on full cylinders and we’ve had no issues with the brakes. This afternoon, we’ve just got to enjoy the time in the car and then look forward to the next event.”


Daniel Oliveira, Brazil World Rally Team, Ford Fiesta RS WRC (13th) “We had a nice run over the morning loop. We picked up a puncture on the second stage [SS18], but it was no problem. Our time was a little bit better this morning than it was yesterday, so I’m happy.

“Now, it is just about getting to the finish. The car is feeling good and if we can finish in the top 15 it will be a good result for us.”


Maciek Oleksowicz, Ford Fiesta S2000 (19th) “This morning was a nice loop. The second stage [SS18] is quite slippery and we are driving quite safely. It is a real pity that Yazeed [Al-Rahji] had the problem, but for us it is good. We have advanced again to second position which will be a fantastic result for us.

“It looks as though we have no chance of catching Hayden [Paddon] – he is much faster than us. So we are just concentrating on keeping our` position which I am really happy with.”


Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Ford Fiesta RRC (DNF) “In the second stage today [SS18], the cross-member broke going into a slow left-hand corner. It was very bumpy, but I think it [the cross-member] may have been cracked before – maybe when I hit the water splash on Day 2 – because we didn’t hit anything. I tried to drive another five kilometers or so, but then the wheel came off completely and our event was over.

“Hopefully we can show the same pace in Greece as we have this weekend. We don’t have anything to loose in Greece so we can push to see where our pace is. Then in New Zealand we can take it more cautiously and make sure we get some points on the board.”


Anna Louise Rudd - photo worldrallypics


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