Basso wins the Rali Vinho de Madeira

Giandomenico Basso, leader from the 2nd to the 21st special, couldn't do much better. Author of eight scratch times in twelve specials on Friday, the driver of the Abarth Grande Punto S2000 had done the hardest against the armada of Peugeot 207 S2000.

But this Saturday, Basso had to deal with a tough opponent, Bruno Magalhaes. The Portuguese driver of the No. 207 Peugeot 2000 S4 was very consistent throughout the weekend: he did not leave second place from the first to the last special stage of the weekend. However, Magalhaes was determined to challenge Basso's victory and reach the top of the standings, especially when the Italian lost ten seconds in a spin. Author of convincing times and the three best times in the last three specials, the Portuguese clearly reduced the gap with the leader, to the point that he finished only 3,5 seconds behind first place.

Nicolas Vouilloz, fourth this Saturday at the end of the event, started twenty seconds behind Alexandre Camacho's third place at the start of the day. The Frenchman, author of a scratch time in SS18, failed 7,7 seconds from the podium.

Kris Meeke, already far away on Friday evening, finished in fifth place which earned him four points and a confirmed lead at the top of the IRC general classification (34 points). However, with ten points in his pocket, Giandomenico Basso is seven points behind the British leader, just like Freddy Loix (27 points). Next meeting on the IRC calendar, Barum Rally from Czech Republic, from August 21 to 23.