High hopes of a strong finish for Nobre

The second round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Rally Internacional de Curitiba, gets underway in 10 days time and one driver with high hopes of a strong finish is Brazilian Paulo Nobre.

Nobre has taken part on the gravel event on six previous occasions and this year will line-up in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX run by Brazilian rallying legend Ulysses Bertholdo’s Caju Racing concern.

“It’s a very fast and tricky rally and I remember one big accident I had there,” said Nobre. “It is also technical in places but it is one of the good rallies with lots of history.”

Nobre, who will be co-driven by two-time event winner Edu Paula, said he expected strong opposition, particularly from the European-based IRC regulars.

“Normally it is the guys from Argentina who will be strong but this year I think it will be the regular IRC drivers,” he said.

Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle, who won the event last season, head the entry, which now stands at 43 crews.