WRC Team MINI Portugal driver Armindo Araujo is vying to return to the points-paying positions on Brother Rally New Zealand this week and could benefit from running upgraded dampers.
Araujo hasn’t scored points in the FIA World Rally Championship since the visit to Mexico in early March. He’s hoping for an upturn in form when the series resumes on the Auckland-based round on Friday morning.
“I’m really happy to be here and I will try to make some points for the championship,” said the double Production Car world champion. “Our target is the top ten to keep some points in the championship. We will see what is possible.”
The latest specification dampers for Araujo’s MINI John Cooper Works WRC were brought to New Zealand by his engineer Richard Thompson.
“I brought along 80 kilograms of spare parts and equipment including the latest specification of gravel dampers for Armindo,” said Thompson. “It was impossible to ship these air freight as we are always improving details of both performance and reliability right down to the last minute.”
Araujo will run 10th on the road on day one with Brazilian team-mate Paulo Nobre one place behind.