Hopes high for Oliveira

Daniel Oliveira believes he can be more of a force on asphalt when the World Rally Championship returns to Tarmac for the rounds in France and Spain later this season.

Oliveira’s comments came following his participation on ADAC Rallye Deutschland last week, where he was competing in a Brazil World Rally Team MINI John Cooper Works WRC.

The 26-year-old from Brazil had never tackled an asphalt event in the WRC before his trip to Germany and was intent on making it to the finish to build his experience of sealed-surface competition.

Unfortunately an off-road moment with two stages of the event remaining ended his hopes of reaching the final stage in Trier.

“Everything was going on well on the final morning,” said Oliveira. “I felt really strong with the car during the first stage. However, on stage 17, I went wide to avoid the gravel on a corner and the car went off. There was no signal of damage, and we tried to get back to the road by all means but it was worthless.”

Oliveira, who is co-driven by Portugal’s Carlos Magalhaes, said: “It was a shame, I think we were doing a great job in our first time on Tarmac, and I did really want to complete the rally. Nevertheless, I have gained a lot of experience, and I think that so did the team with regards to the set-up for the coming events on Tarmac.”

Oliveira’s event began with an off on the opening stage on Friday, which left his car with minor cosmetic damage. He then damaged his car’s exhaust on a kerb later on day one, which triggered an engine misfire. A broken half-shaft on Saturday’s opening test hampered his progress on day two, which he completed in 24th position.

“It is not normal at all to break something just a few kilometers from the start in the first stage of the day,” said Oliveira of the mechanical woe on Satursay. “I noticed a vibration and soon after this I had a spin for no reason and then another.”