IRC Madeira preview : The expectations

Juho Hanninen (Finland), Skoda Fabia S2000: “I have been improving on Tarmac, no question, but I am told there are lots and lots of blind corners in Madeira and that it is also hard to find the rhythm and to make a good set of pacenotes. It won’t be easy, I will try, but I think a podium will be difficult. If I drive really well then I think fifth or sixth will be possible.”

Bruno Magalhaes (Portugal), Peugeot 207 S2000: “I was very happy to win in the Azores but Madeira is the one rally in Portugal I have yet to win. Even though it is a very technical rally and hard for the car and the driver it is my favourite. I came very close to winning last year but I now know I have to go flat from the first stage.”

Bernardo Sousa (Portugal), M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000: “Being from Madeira I know the roads quite well. But I am not 100 per cent confident on Tarmac because it is four months since I last drove on Tarmac and I don’t really have so much experience on it so it will be hard to get into the correct rhythm straight away.”