Strong test pleases Oliveira

Brazil World Rally Team’s Daniel Oliveira says he will start Vodafone Rally de Portugal next week with renewed confidence following a two-day test of his new Ford Fiesta RS WRC in Austria last weekend.

Oliveira returns to the World Rally Car ranks on the Faro-based event having swapped the MINI John Cooper Works WRC he campaigned in 2011 for a Stohl Racing-run Fiesta.

The 25-year-old and co-driver Carlos Magalhaes ran on two different all-gravel test roads that form part of the route of the Austrian championship-counting Waldviertel Rally. The test was held in dry conditions.

“We ran more than 200 kilometres without any problems,” said Oliveira. “I felt very confident with the car. For sure this is a big step and a big improvement compared to the last WRC car I drove. I’m really looking forward to the first event.”

Vodafone Rally de Portugal forms round four of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia. Brazil World Rally Team is registered for WRC manufacturer points.

Oliveira made his Rally de Portugal debut last season in a Super 2000-specification MINI. He retired due to a mechanical failure.