Oliveira happy to be back in Argentina

Daniel Oliveira will return to the scene of his first world championship start next week when he contests Philips Rally Argentina in a Brazil World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

The 26-year-old was a virtual rookie when he took part on the event in 2009 in a Baratec-run Subaru Impreza.

He arrived in Cordoba yesterday (Friday) to begin his final preparations for round five of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia, which is based close by in Villa Carlos Paz.

“For me it’s a really special rally,” said Oliveira. “I made my debut in rally here in Argentina in 2009 competing in the Argentine Rally Championship. And my third rally in my whole life was WRC Rally Argentina.”

Oliveira arrives in Argentina on the back of a strong showing on Vodafone Rally de Portugal. He is hoping to produce a similar performance on the South American round alongside Portuguese co-driver Carlos Magalhaes.

“It will be a very tough and exhausting rally and the key point will be the recce,” he said. “Being mentally and physically strong will make a big difference for sure. We will try to set a fast pace but taking care not to damage the car. Our objective is to finish as high as possible as we did in Portugal.”

After competing in a Prodrive-run MINI John Cooper Works WRC in 2011, Oliveira says he is relishing his return to Stohl Racing - with whom he competed in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2010.

“Working with Manfred [Stohl] is always great,” said Oliveira. “He is an exceptional guy and we have a very good relationship. The problem arises when we compete against each other. If I beat him, so he is not my friend anymore! I’m joking. Really, we have made some real good improvement so far this year and he and I hope we can continue in this way."