Fast, efficient, effective… competitive
We could be talking about the new RACE service… but no.
Rafael Cardeira finished this weekend his first asphalt race of the 2018 National Championship.
The alfaloc-backed driver returned to competition this weekend, participating in the Vidreiro Centro de Portugal Rally – Marinha Grande 2018. Racing at home, Rafael Cardeira faced several adversities to finish the race in 2nd place in the RC5 class, climbing to the final podium in São Pedro de Moel.
Cardeira ended up suffering a puncture in the first kilometers of the second PEC. Which, unfortunately, put an end to the driver’s hopes of achieving a good result early on.
“In this rally everything happened to us. Situations like this happen in rallying, but the truth is that this has left us in a very difficult position. Especially at a time when we were moralized to achieve a good result, mainly because of the incredible support we received from the many people from Maranhão, both in the assistance park and in the specials”, explains the rider.
Despite the misfortune, the rider did not give up and thus started a recovery attempt at the beginning of the second day of the event, trying to get closer to his most direct opponents. Despite the weather not cooperating, some problems with the gearbox and even a small road exit, the truth is that Cardeira would eventually manage to recover and rise to second place in the RC5 class.
“The morning of the second day of competition was not easy again. The weather made life difficult for all the riders, and we were no exception. In the afternoon, the Renault Twingo RS once again proved its reliability and this was noticed in the pace imposed. We didn’t achieve the goal of achieving the first victory with the support of alfaloc, but the result ended up not being negative. We are already working to achieve a good result in the Castelo Branco Rally”
The driver from Maranhão advanced determinedly, who finished the race in ninth position among the competitors in two-wheel drive cars.
The next challenge of the duo Rafael Cardeira/André Couceiro is the Castelo Branco Rally, organized by the Scuderia de Castelo Branco, which takes place on June 30th and July 1st in the city of Albicastrense.
