2012 Rally de Portugal
The 46th Rally of Portugal was held from 29 March to 1 April 2012. A total of 22 special stages were planned. But it was only 19 WPs are down because of heavy rains.
- 2.1 final
- 2.2 stages
Reports
Day 1 ( Thursday, March 29th )
The in the streets of Lisbon driven first special stage ( 3.27 km ) went to Petter Solberg (Ford). He was followed by Sébastien Loeb ( Citroën), Jari -Matti Latvala (Ford) and Mikko Hirvonen ( Citroën). In the third special stage world champion Loeb flew into the ditch and his car damaged to such an extent that the rally was already over for him. Solberg and Latvala went to the investigations in the lead, on the 3rd place followed Hirvonen. Dani Sordo ( MINI) was forced to retire in the second special stage because the lights had failed. He entered the third special stage no longer, start again on Friday ( 2 Rally Regulations ).
Day 2 (Friday, March 30)
The fifth special stage was marked by heavy rainfall. Latvala slide off the road and lost a lot of time teammate Solberg took the lead. In the sixth special stage Solberg suffered the same as before Latvala. Hirvonen took the lead with 31 seconds ahead of Mads Østberg, behind Evgeny Novikov. Ford driver Novikov was in the 7th special stage 20 seconds faster than Østberg and at the end of the day on the second rank. The special stages 8 to 10 had to be canceled in the afternoon because of heavy rains, the security was no longer guaranteed by the organizer.
Day 3 (Saturday, 31 March)
After the special stages on Saturday had been in the class for the first three- nothing changed. Despite technical problems, Petter Solberg was able to work ahead in 5th place, he was at this time about six minutes behind the leader, Mikko Hirvonen.
Day 4 ( Sunday, April 1 )
Although went Hirvonen ( Citroën) was the first by the target, but was later disqualified for a non-compliant turbo and a clutch, which also did not meet the rules. So Mads Østberg came to a maiden victory in the WRC before Evgeny Novikov and Petter Solberg (all Ford). Dani Sordo ( MINI) won the Power Stage in front of Jari- Matti Latvala and Ott Tanak (both Ford).
Classifications
Final
- The Junior WRC has the 13 first WPs completed the rally.
Stages
Note: Mikko Hirvonen ( Citroën) was disqualified (see reports Day 4 ).