Meireles registers ERC Azores intent with home win as Moura shines

While his plans for next month’s Azores Airlines Rallye are unclear at this stage, as a combined Portuguese championship and ERC qualifier, Meireles is expected to take part on the spectacular gravel event when he will no doubt be one to watch in the ŠKODA Fabia R5 he shares with co-driver Mário Castro.

Meireles took victory on Rali Serras de Fafe, the first event of the Portuguese championship season, by almost one minute ahead of José Pedro Fontes (Citroën DS3 R5) and João Barros (Ford Fiesta R5).

However, Meireles will be hard pushed to beat 2016 Azores Airlines Rallye winner Ricardo Moura, who was in front by more than a minute having gone fastest on all stages up to that point when he was forced to retire on stage 11, which also accounted for ERC Junior U28 contender Pepe López in a Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16.

The Azores Airlines Rallye takes place from 30 March-1 April on the island of São Miguel. Meireles and Castro finished sixth overall on the event last year (pictured).