Zoom Basso's not giving up!

The conclusion of Rally Portugal is approaching and many drivers are adopting a safer course of action in order to tackle the remaining kilometres. Event leader Luca Rossetti in particular, owner of a comfortable margin, is carefully aiming at securing victory at the controls of his Peugeot.

Czech driver Jan Kopecky, with over a minute's lead on his own pursuer, is doing the same as he aims for the second step of the podium. In similar conditions, Nicolas Vouilloz can only agree with the wisdom of it all as he sees a triple Peugeot drivers podium looming on the horizon.

However, Giandomenico Basso has every reason to keep up the pressure. The Fiat Abarth Grande Punto driver accomplished a fastest run of 16:07.9 and moved much closer to ascending one notch in the general rankings - the 25 kilometres of the next route are waiting for his final attempt.

Other competitors, having no podium positions to protect, can allow themselves the luxury of attacking these final runs. Manfred Stohl was second-quickest with his Peugeot 207 S2000, while Armindo Araujo settled his Mitsubishi Lancer into third.

Three more Peugeot 207s came next, those of Bruno Magalhaes, Nicolas Vouilloz, and Jan Kopecky. The Mitsubishi Lancers of Andreas Aigner and Juho Hanninen followed a few seconds back.

Rounding the ten quickest drivers, Miguel Campos' Peugeot and José Pedro Fontes' Fiat were the last to complete the distance within a half-minute of the stage winner.

Rally leader Luca Rossetti allowed himself to take 11th position on this run, which still grants him a 43.8-second overall advantage on Jan Kopecky. Nicolas Vouilloz is in a safe zone ahead of Juho Hanninen, who in turn must be closely watching Giandomenico Basso's efforts as he now stands only 3.9 seconds away in fifth position.

The final crossing of the Almodovar trail will bring the 2008 edition of Rally Portugal to its conclusion.

Daniel BASTIEN
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