Bruno Magalhaes has vowed to hit back from the disappointment of retiring from the GEKO Ypres Rally last week by winning his home event, Sata Rallye Acores next month.
The Peugeot Sport Portugal ace was fourth overall after the opening stage in Belgium only for engine failure to force his retirement on the very next stage. The Lisbon-based Portuguese driver’s
retirement means he slips to 10th position in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers’ standings after five rounds.
Magalhaes claimed a dramatic final-stage win on Sata Rallye Acores last season aboard his 207 Super 2000. He hopes to banish the memories of Ypres by emulating his victory of one year ago when the IRC resumes on the Atlantic archipelago from 14-16 July.
“For sure we will be strong in the Azores and I really want to do a good result after Ypres”, said the 30-year-old. “I know it will be difficult to win again because the pace in the IRC is fantastic and many drivers have good experience of the roads there now. But I have good confidence, I am very motivated, I won there last year and I know I can win again.”