The Rally of Spain took place last weekend in the Province of Ávila. In adverse weather conditions, the Castilian roads that greeted the competitors were especially difficult and the two Alpines which the Repsol Classic Team lined up were considerably badly affected, one even having to retire.
The hard rain and thick fog made night driving in zones such as the Port of Serranillos considerably more difficult, not the best circumstances for such low cars as the Alpines, critical in particularly difficult conditions. This, combined with some warm up problems on Carlos Miguel’s car, which eventually had to retire with the cylinder head gasket burnt out after the Arrebatacapas stage.
Following the Rally of Spain, the Rally of Portugal will be the next meeting for the Repsol Classic Team. The Portuguese event, which takes place this week (11th – 16th October), will feature the racing driver Javier Ortega, at the controls of his Lancia Fulvia HF. Ortega, who will be accompanied by Cuni Suarez from Asturias, is a regular at this race which is noted for the speed of its stages and the toughness of its course. The Rally of Portugal will be the last outing abroad for the Repsol Classic Team as the remaining rallies scheduled until the end of the year will be contested in Spanish territory.