The Portuguese Cup 2008 (Taça de Portugal), took place last October 5th at Vila Real Track.
Track conditions, were hard. Bumpy and with lot of dust. Therefore all the drivers had to make an additional effort to keep the car in the track.
Miguel Matías took the TQ followed by Merlin Team Driver Carlos Durães and Ricardo Monteiro.
Both Them, Miguel Matías and Carlos Durães were the fastest during heating, showing that they were one step over rest of drivers and that they were the favorites to final victory.
Track conditions for the Main final, were still worst than in heating. In the Main Final warm-up laps, Miguel Matías broke and came back to boxes, starting too late. Spite the lost time he took place in the final, showing a big competiton spirit.
Carlos Durães completely dominated the A-Final from the first laps, being very fast and showing a consistent and regular driving.
Behind Carlos Durães fighting for Honor Positions, Rodrigo Luis, Ricardo Monteiro, Gabriel Magalhães and Fernando Almeida were involved.
In the middle of the race Gabriel Magalhães and F. Almeida boke and had to quit the race. Also, Miguel Matías broke again.
So finally, Rodrigo Luis who was taking part in the race for first time as Merlin Team Driver, took the second place followed by Ricardo Monteiro.
Final Classifications:
1st – Carlos Durães (Hobao/BOSS/Merlin Fuel)
2nd – Rodrigo Luís (Cen/SIIM/Merlin Fuel)
3rd – Ricardo Monteiro (Xray/GRP)
4th – Miguel Lopes
5th – Nuno Casal Ribeiro (Crono/Falcon)
6th – Tiago Parreira (Hong Nor/OPS)
7th – Filipe Gomes (Hobao)
8th – Fernando Almeida (Hong Nor)
9th – Gabriel Magalhães (GS/RB)
10th – Miguel Matias (Kyosho/Sirio)
Congratulations to Carlos Durães for his brilliant Season and to Rodigo Luis for his second place in his first race with Merlin Fuel.
Thanks to Top-Car Radiomodelismo for the info.
Thanks to Art Guerra for the pics.