No Azores outing for Oliveira and del Barrio

Daniel Oliveira and co-driver Carlos del Barrio have withdrawn from Sata Rallye Açores, round seven of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

They had been due to take part in their Stohl Racing Peugeot 207 Super 2000 but a crash on last month’s Geko Ypres Rally has altered those plans.

Del Barrio (pictured left with Oliveira) suffered a collapsed lung in the accident, while Oliveira’s 207 was badly damaged. Although del Barrio is on course to make a full and rapid recovery, he won’t be fully fit for the island event. Furthermore, the tight timescale between the Ypres Rally and the boat sailing for the Azores on July 7 meant the car couldn’t be repaired.

“It is really a pity since I’m sure that Daniel would have given a great performance on Sata Rallye Açores,” said Oliveira’s team boss Manfred Stohl.

Oliveira and del Barrio are due to return to IRC action on Rali Vinho Madeira, which runs from 5-7 August.