It gave very positive indications, but the duo Hugo Lopes/Magda Oliveira was forced to withdraw in the sixth qualifying round of the Rallye Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas and Cabeceiras de Basto.
“I didn’t see a rock that was covered by mud inside a corner and as a result of the impact we were forced to retire,” explained the Hyundai Junior FPAK Team driver. An unpleasant outcome in the first race carried out at the controls of a Rally 2 and a car with four driving wheels, but with the competitiveness revealed giving good indications for the future.
In addition to the constraints associated with a debut in a much more competitive car, an extra factor made the mission of the duo Hugo Lopes/Magda Oliveira even more difficult in the opening round of the Portuguese Rally Championship: the difficult atmospheric conditions, which were felt with the heavy rain, made the sections quite muddy and difficult.
“There are bad luck events that are impossible to overcome, but now is the time to think about the future and be confident that the next rallies will end in a much more positive way”, says the driver from Viseu.
Hugo Lopes admits that “the times achieved make me happy, as I managed to be close to the best national drivers, despite always having a good margin, so as not to take unnecessary risks. This was my first race driving a Rally 2 car and a four-wheel drive. But I learned a lot, I know that I would confirm this evolution in the second passes through the sections, but now I just have to focus on the good things that happened and on the future”.
The Rally Castelo Branco and Vila Velha de Ródão, on June 13th and 14th, is scheduled to see the return of the duo Hugo Lopes/Magda Oliveira at the controls of the Hyundai i20 N Rally 2. “Until then, I will follow and support this fantastic team in the fight for the national title, as well as Gonçalo Henriques. I am sure it will confirm the importance and validity of a project like the Hyundai Junior FPAK Team.”
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