The 2007 Vodafone Rally de Portugal is ready to go. The 2007 Vodafone Rally de Portugal is go With the official shakedown completed it’s time for the World Rally Cars to hit the Portuguese roads in anger for the first time since 2001 and for the ecstatic local fans to enjoy the high-speed show. Portuguese national rally champion Armindo Araujo, competing for the first time in a Mitsubishi World Rally Car complained of an uncomfortable chassis set-up after a spin on his first shakedown outing and on his second run his Lancer EVO WRC left the road causing a short stoppage in proceedings. The other drivers faired better with no incidents to report, but the coming weather conditions are high on their list of concerns. Marcus Gronholm commented that the stage condition was generally good but if it does rain, standing-water will make things very, very slippery. If it stays dry, Gronholm will run a harder tyre for longer life on the abrasive road surfaces. The BP-Ford team added that this rally will test how quickly and how well the drivers and co-drivers can make their pace notes. Marcus said that he was very worried about this as he has crashed twice before in Portugal due to poor notes. Mikko Hirvonen said that his Ford Focus RS felt good, but that the shakedown stages didn’t reflect the actual rally stage conditions. Citroen’s Dani Sordo said he would much prefer the rally to remain dry, because when it rains not only do the drivers have to contend with slippery surfaces, but also reduced visibility due to fog and low clouds. The stages are also very different for this event, so Sordo’s experience of two previous outings in Portugal will not give him any real edge over his rivals. Testing was not allowed in Portugal, so all of the teams are at the same early stages of experience. This lack of testing, coupled with one of the WRC’s most technically challenging rounds will test the drivers to the limits. Sebastien Loeb said the many blind corners made the notes even more critical and concentration levels for the drivers will be extremely high. The Citroen Total driver also added that it is easy to make mistakes with the pace notes, but that he was still happy to be here in Portugal as the local rally fans are truly passionate. Jan Kopecky agreed that the stages were technically demanding, but added that they were hard to memorise too with the blind bends demanding ultimate driver commitment. Kopecky was the only driver to ‘invite’ a little rain, and the extra slip and slide of watery surfaces could certainly make things even more interesting and entertaining for those fantastically passionate fans!