14 May 2003 - 13:02 Carlos Sousa from start to finish! Baja Vodafone 1000 Portugal

Carlos Sousa was delighted but relieved to win the Baja Vodafone 1000. "Of all the Baja events, I don't remember any other race more difficult than that one!" said Sousa. It was a huge battle between the two (not family-related) Sousas, Carlos and Rui. A fight also opposing Mitsubishi and Nissan. An impressive duel that made all the spectators and television viewers ecstatic!

A magnificent show with a lot of dust and sunshine, all the ingredients were there to make this third championship round a success. The course was difficult, narrow and twisty with many trees along the trails. Miguel Barbosa was the first one to find out how rough this Baja is, hitting a big rock hidden by high grass. Barbosa's vehicle landed on the roof...

It is true that Carlos Sousa knows the event very well and has the perfect vehicle to lead the race but he also needs to keep a good rhythm and avoid making mistakes to be ahead of everybody.

The Portuguese driver is leading after the first 220-kilometre stage, almost 2 minutes in front of his teammate Miguel Barbosa. The two Mitsubishi Strakar drivers were followed closely by the Nissan Pick-up of Rui Sousa (no family link to the leader).

The driver with the biggest disadvantage is Jean-Louis Schlesser. "This event just doesn't suit our Ford Buggy. It's too narrow, too twisty between trees and bumps. I cannot attack while the traditional 4 X 4, like the Mitsubishi and Nissan have a clear advantage."

The leader Carlos Sousa made this comment before the second stage which will take place later today: "In the second round, I think that the terrain will be rougher but less muddy and slippery than the first one. We will have to be careful to avoid hitting any trees, they are just much stronger than us!" said a joking Sousa.

Jean-Louis Schlesser is the first one to arrive at Evora. He drives his Ford Buggy in the service area and right away his men get to work on the vehicle. "Not much to change. This is only a check-up to be sure that we start off tomorrow in good conditions." said Schlesser. "I went a little bit faster in this stage but without taking any risk. The trees are still there..."

This second stage is in fact the same itinerary as the first one so the difficulties are just as high. "We overtook Marc Blazquez but then he passed us a bit later, much faster then us in the twisty parts." mentioned Schlesser. "After that we caught up with Rui Sousa and stayed behind him for twenty to thirty kilometres, eating his dust. It was not easy to pass him. Fifteen kilometres from the finish, Blazquez' Nissan was stopped on the side of the trail, with its engine compartment open!"

A really difficult day for Schlesser but even more terrible for Blazquez. "The engine just stopped without any notice." said the very disappointed Nissan driver.
 
The battle for the lead between Carlos Sousa, Rui Sousa and Carlos Silva is superb. "The Mitsubishi is perfect." admitted Carlos Sousa. "But our lead is still too fragile to slow down."

As for Barbosa, he lost his second place to Rui but he admitted that he was keeping a conservative pace to avoid any trouble.

Speaking of trouble, Jean-Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque had their share of it today. "The Mercedes stopped once again like in Tunisia. Probably a sensor problem" said the frustrated Groine Development driver, now passed by the Mercedes of Shmakov-Kandzyuba (8th) and the Nissan Pathfinder of Portuguese Gameiro-Fiuza.

The final podium is made up of Carlos Sousa, Rui Sousa and Miguel Barbosa with their respective co-drivers. One thing for sure, the Nissan Pick-up has become reliable and Sousa now enjoys a comfortable lead in the national championship ahead of Barbosa.

"I was competitive right from the start of the rally and I saw right away who I was going to fight with." said Barbosa. "Carlos and Rui went really fast. The rhythm was impressive but this morning I was able to gain one minute on each of them before rolling over... just bad luck! After that my Mitsubishi had a problem with its steering and rear wheels so I had to fight really hard, with all my heart!"

Jean-Louis Schlesser finished fourth overall. The French driver had a frustrating weekend, trying as hard as possible to finish in the top three. It almost happened, since Barbosa finished ahead of him but had outside help to put back his vehicle on its wheels, which is formally illegal. No official complaint were made so Barbosa was able to keep his position.

Schlesser still holds the first place in the World Cup standings but he is now followed in second place by Carlos Sousa. They will battle it out once again in Morocco at the beginning of June and also at the Spanish Baja in July.
 
Hugo GIGUERE
CAPSIS International, 12.05.2003