Michal Kosciuszko and SWIFT S1600 are keeping on the podium

Vodafone Rally de Portugal took place from 3rd to 5th of April under full of sunshine spread whole week of the event. As 3rd event of JWRC 2009, this event was this year's first "full" gravel event and those high speed stages made many competitors retire and for the rest, survivors be patient not to run too fast sometimes.

 

 

From the beginning of Day 1 on Friday, Polish young driver, Michal Kosciuszko led the other JWRC drivers and finished the day with 41.0 second difference between 2nd, French Yoann Bonato who also drives SUZUKI SWIFT S1600. On Saturday, Day 2, Michal kept showing his speed while the other competitors were struggling to catch him then at the end of the day, he widened the gap to 4:23.1 between the follower, Kevin Abbring who drives Renault Clio R3. On Day 3, with such a big gap, Michal did not need to take any risk, in fact, what he did was to drive his SWIFT S1600 with safely. Even he controlled himself to drive not too much fast, there was nobody could catch his SWIFT S1600. He marked fastest time in total 10 stages out of 18 stages during the event and the gap became to 6:06.5 finally and he got on the top of the podium. This victory let him to catch the current JWRC point leader, Czech Citroen C2 driver Martin Prokop, who skipped this JWRC event and now these two drivers are standing on top with same points.

On the contrary, it was an unlucky event for Simone Bertolotti. Italian 23 year-old driver got sensor trouble on Day 1 and lost some time. After the service, he paced up to catch up the others but he got a stone at rough corner and it caused alternator belt cut then he had to retired. Since restarted on Day 3, he got back his pace and changed his target to score some points for the championship.

 

Comments from Michal Kosciuszko (SUZUKI SWIFT n.32)
"It was perfect event for me. SWIFT worked properly and we had no trouble. SWIFT's stability and its traction were fantastic. Team's work was also perfect. We could make big gap since Day 1 and increase the gap during Day 2 and Day 3. I am really happy to be equal points with Martin and I am looking forward to the next event."

Comments from Simone Bertolitti (SUZUKI SWIFT n.33)
"I was unlucky and it was also a pity that some stages were canceled before my run. This event was first gravel event for me with SWIFT so I wanted to drive more. But I think we could get lots of data for the next event in Sardegna and actually, it was not so bad if I think about the championship because at least I could score some points. I hope I can make good result in Sardegna."

Comments from Yasuhiro Ishii (Team Manager of SUZUKI SPORT EUROPE)
"This event was really difficult because some sections were demanding for technically and others were high speed. I expected Michal could win but I did not think he won with such a big gap, more than 6 minuets. Even though he controlled his pace after he had got big lead but no one could catch him. Both drivers could score and it is very important for the championship. We hope we can make good result in following events in Argentina and Sardegna and of course we will never stopped development for winning."