NWM/X Rally team on the verge of a long and big day
There are only 240 kilometers to the end of Sertões. This Saturday’s stage will take the competitors from Aquidauana to the rally’s final destination, the city of Bonito, in Mato Grosso do Sul. With a total of 420 kilometers to reach the ramp, the NWM/X Rally Team duo has only to manage a 16-minute lead with the NWM-built Ford Ranger V8 4x4.
In today’s stage, Cristian and Beco were thrid fastest during the 19-km stretch, behind the two Minis of Spinelli/Haddad and Barros/Capoani – each one of them had to forfait a day due to technical problems and and accident, respectively. So the race was on between Baumgart/Andreotti and Varela/Gugelmin, in a battle of Ford Rangers.
“We had pushed all the way through the first three days and then we started using strategy to keep the lead and not to take too many risks”, explained Cristian Baumgart who, alongside his co-driver Beco Andreotti, won the first two stages of the Sertões.
Cristian and Beco are together rallying for 17 years – it is the longest-standing duo of Brazilian rally history. “Tomorrow will be a long day. We hope we can turn it on ‘the big day’ as well”, said Andreotti, who might confirm his second overall Sertões title alongside his long-time friend.
“It has been a perfect race from their side”, states Neil Woolridge. “They knew how to identify where and when they could push. They drove on the limit relying on the quality of the car they have, estabilished themselves on the lead and controlled the whole race. They were cold and strategic all the way throught. Now let’s wait for tomorrow; we still have one mission left. So let’s wait for the big final day”, he finishes.
Day 6 Results (top-4): Coxim (MS) – Aquidauana (MS)
1. 302 Guilherme Spinelli/Youssef Haddad (MINI) – 2h02min52s66
2. 315 Sylvio de Barros/Rafael Capoani (MINI) – 2h03min05s60
3. 301 Cristian Baumgart/Beco Andreotti (FORD RANGER) – 2h05min24s14
4. 304 Reinaldo Varela/Gustavo Gugelmin (FORD RANGER) – 2h06min14s08
T1 FIA top-3 Overall Classification (Cars):
1. 301 Cristian Baumgart/Beco Andreotti (FORD RANGER) – 18h54min12s74
2. 304 Reinaldo Varela/Gustavo Gugelmin (FORD RANGER) – a 16min15s
3. 329 Alvarez Fernando/Juan Monasterolo (AMAROK) – a 1h49min09
.jpeg "Rodobens")
