Image gallery available here: https://www.imagensdesportivas.com/gallery-collection/BAJA-EXTREMADURA-2025/C0000ihXm6FOwDmo
First victory for Ferreira in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
Strong performance under challenging conditions
At the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura, the opening event of the FIA European Baja Cup, João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro continued their wave of success and claimed victory. The Portuguese duo competed for the first time in the petrol-powered X-raid MINI. Ferreira had previously celebrated numerous successes in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d.
Heavy rain turned the Baja Extremadura into a real mud battle, creating many extremely slippery sections – typically an advantage for the smaller, lighter side-by-sides over the heavier T1+ vehicles. However, the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i and Ferreira worked in perfect harmony, winning two of the three special stages.
In the second stage, Ferreira and Palmeiro were briefly held up when a closed gate blocked their path. Palmeiro got out, opened the gate, and secured it so that it would no longer be an obstacle for the following vehicles. Despite this interruption, they won the stage and were later credited with a time adjustment.
In the third special stage, they finished in third place. However, the lead they had built up beforehand was enough to maintain their overall lead and secure the win.
The next event for the X-raid team is the South African Safari Rally. The final lineup will be announced in the coming days.
João Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): “My first victory in the petrol-powered MINI. Thanks to X-raid for this opportunity. The stages were very difficult – yesterday it was incredibly muddy and slippery, and the navigation was also quite tricky. A big thank you to Filipe, who played a major role in this win. I think he's one of the few co-drivers who found the right way through the military terrain. Now it's time to rest and prepare for the next rally!”
Overall standings
1. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 8h 05m 22s
2. T. Reis / P. Fiuza – Taurus – 8h 07m 51s
3. G. Guerreiro / P. Moreno – Polaris – 8h 13m 48s
4. M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist – Can-Am – 8h 15m 20s
5. M. Mustermann / M. Zajc – Toyora – 9h 01m 21s
Source: X-Raid
Photo: Rally-Raid Network / ImagensDesportivas.com
Image gallery available here: https://www.imagensdesportivas.com/gallery-collection/BAJA-EXTREMADURA-2025/C0000ihXm6FOwDmo
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