Hunt: sandy stages will test IRC 2WD crews

IRC 2WD Cup competitors will find it tough going on Sata Rallye Açores this week according to defending champion Harry Hunt.

The Briton was speaking following the two-day reconnaissance on the mid-Atlantic island of São Miguel where round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge will take place this week.

“It’s rough in places with deep gravel that will cut up,” said the 22-year-old from London. “It’s also quite sandy so it will be hard for the two-wheel-drive cars especially finding traction out of the slow corners.”

Hunt, currently 12th in the IRC 2WD Cup standings, plans to begin Thursday morning’s shakedown with a similar set-up to the one he used on his last appearance on gravel in Argentina at the end of May.

“We will start with that and make changes from there,” said Hunt. “We had a bit of a disjointed recce with a few problems with our recce car but we got through all the stages. They’re not as difficult to [pace]note as on some other rallies like Monte-Carlo and Sanremo so we’re in good shape. I’m quite happy.”