Zoom Gearing up for a fight, Vouilloz is.

At the wheel of their Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg 207 Super 2000, Nicolas Vouilloz and co-driver Nicolas Klinger completed Rally Portugal in third place last Saturday.

Along with a second position at the conclusion of the previous event in Turkey, this additional podium result allows Vouilloz to strenghten his hold on second place in the provisional standings of the IRC's 2008 season.

Luca Rossetti continues to lead the series after his Turkish and Portuguese victories, also aboard a Peugeot 207 S2000.

"From an arithmetical point of view, the result is good, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed," Vouilloz admitted after completing Rally Portugal. "This morning (Saturday), starting out on the first stage, my position was perfect in order to fight for victory, which was my only goal."

"Unfortunately, during the third stage I had a puncture. There was a trap one kilometre into the stage which ended things for Stohl and Atkinson last year in the WRC. Not wanting to risk an off, I stayed on the inside and passed very close to a rock. I did not feel any impact but those who followed me had to avoid a rock there. My front right tyre probably dislodged it, cutting the side of the rear tyre," the Frenchman explained.

"We were right at the beginning of the longest route of the rally. I had no choice but to stop and change the tyre," he added.

The operation cost him three minutes and dropped him down to fifth place, but Vouilloz fought back during the final loop of three stages and reached the last step of the podium.

"It's frustrating," he stated. "We are just as fast as Rossetti, my 207 S2000 is just as competitive, but he leads two wins to zero in our 2008 campaign."

But the season still has a way to go, with the next round taking place at the end of June when the Belgian Westhoek Rally gets underway. Nicolas Vouilloz and teammate Freddy Loix count amongst the favourites.

"Our second consecutive podium is more than satisfactory, but I am even happier for the competitiveness of both our crews," said Jonathan Goodman, Managing Director of Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg. "See you in Ypres for a better final standing."

Daniel BASTIEN
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