Leading Azores rally driver Ricardo Moura has conceded that he will never win the archipelago’s round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge until he can get his hands on a Super 2000 machine.
Moura was the top Group N finisher in a stunning fifth overall on Sata Rallye Açores last season in a near-standard Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. He will tackle the event again this season when it forms round six of the IRC from 14-16 July.
The Azores resident, a multiple champion on the Atlantic group of islands, will be a favourite to claim top honours in the new-for-2011 IRC Production Cup but admits that will be the limit of his ambitions when he enters the gravel rally this summer.
“We won Group N there last year and I hope we can do it again this year,” said Moura. “Of course to win overall will be so difficult because the Super 2000 cars are unbeatable. I have two Evo IXs and to change is just too expensive.”