SOUSA ROMPS TO VICTORY IN PORTUGAL

Mitsubishi Takes the Podium in its 2nd Successive Victory!

The 15th Baja Vodafone 1000 ended with Portugal's Carlos Sousa and co-driver Victor Jesus romping to an emphatic victory in his Mitsubishi Strakar - his third outright win in four years.

Mitsubishi L200 C.Sousa / V.Jesus

Peterhansel, the winner of last month's round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies in Tunisia, had looked set to take the lead in the championship standings. But he lost a wheel during Saturday's 250 kms special stage and retired. "There are many water crossings on this stage and this is where we think the problem occurred for Stephane," admitted Mitsubishi team manager Dominique Serieys.

Carlos Sousa of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart held on to take victory by a margin of 29m 11s, with Miguel Barbosa in second place in another Mitsubishi and Russia's Alexander Khrol completing the top three in his Pajero. Sousa who finished fifth overall in this year's Arras-Madrid-Dakar Rally in an L200 with support from Ralliart Portugal - began his charge and built up a commanding advantage as the rally headed into the final stage on Sunday. Portugal's Rui Sousa held a distant second in a Nissan Pick-Up for much of the final day before retiring with electrical problems.

Mitsubishi L200 C.Sousa / V.Jesus M.Barbosa / M.Ramalho (Righat)

"It was disappointing to see Stephane go out, but it's great for me to win this race in my home country," confessed a delighted Sousa who won this event for Mitsubishi in both 1999 and 2001 and finished second in 2000.

Peterhansel was not alone on the retirement list: there was disappointment too for the Belgian runner Stephane Henrard in the sole Schlesser-entered Renault Kangoo who succumbed to turbocharger problems.

The event was based at Evora, between the Portuguese capital Lisbon and the Spanish border and commenced with a 15 kms Prologue at Mora, 60 kms from Evora. The competitive action consisted of the maximum 810kms of special stages.

The next round of the 2002 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies will be the Orpi Rally of Morocco on June 4/9th.