International Sertões Rally will be defined this Friday in Salvador

Uauá (Bahia) The 15th edition of the Sertões Internation Rally will be decided this Friday, with the ninth and last stage, from Aracaju (SE) to Salvador (BA). Cars, motorcycles, trucks and quads will cover a total of 4.776 kilometers until the arrival, at Farol da Barra, in Bahia’s State capital.

Today (Thursday) the penultimate stage was raced, from Senhor do Bonfim, in the interior of Bahia State, to Aracaju. The course was short, with on 170 kilometers.

The Brazilians drivers are leading all classes and are the only ones with chances of winning, despite of the fact that experienced competitors from eight countries came to the Rally. In the motorcycle category, José Hélio just manages a large advantage to the rivals; Maurício Costa Ramos does the same in the quads. “I don’t think about the title, because that could make me lose my concentration. Today I eased, because I have a good advantage”, said José Hélio.

Among the cars, Maurício Neves and Clécio Mastrelli are keeping a good rhythm on the way to their first win in one of the greatest rallies of the World. In the truck’s class, Edu Piano, Sólon Mendes and Davi Fonseca also wants to win for the first time.

If nothing happens at the last round, which will have 404 kilometers 103 of the timed , the Sertões Rally will have new champions in three categories the exception is José Hélio, winner in 1999 and 2003.

This year’s edition had a promotional start in Goiânia, in August 8th, and the whole course included six Brazilian states (Goiás, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, Sergipe and Bahia) and for capitals Goiânia, Palmas, Aracaju and Salvador.

Winners of today´s round (extra-official):