Sordo Portugal speed thrills MINI chief

Prodrive WRC Team chief Dave Wilcock says Dani Sordo’s pace on Vodafone Rally de Portugal more than made up for his retirement on the opening day of the event, which cost him a shot at a podium finish.

Driving the uprated MINI John Cooper Works WRC, Sordo set six fastest stage times, including going quickest of all on the Power Stage, which brought round four of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia to a close.

“Dani’s drive on the Power Stage was just excellent in those [wet] conditions,” said Wilock. “It capped a rally that we generally have to be very pleased with, in spite of the overall finishing positions, because it has shown the world that the MINI WRC now has the pace to win on gravel as well as Tarmac.”

Sordo said: “I was really happy to win the Power Stage, it is a great way to finish the rally. I have had some really good moments on this rally and I have a lot of confidence in the car and the performance is fantastic. I can’t wait until we compete again as I think, with more luck on our side, we now have a real opportunity to do something very special with this car.”