Eight IRC events for young Brazilian Oliveira

Daniel Oliveira will become the first Brazilian driver to compete regularly in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge when he starts an eight-event programme on Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo this week.








The 24-year-old will drive a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 for the Austrian Stohl Racing squad. His programme will also take in the IRC rounds in Brazil (Curitiba), Argentina, Belgium (Ypres), Azores, Czech Republic (Zlin), Spain (Asturias) and Cyprus.

Manfred Stohl, a former World Rally Championship driver and owner of the successful Stohl Racing squad, said his new signing would face a steep learning curve.

“He does not have so much experience so it’s difficult to say how good he can be,” said Stohl. “When he tested recently it was the first time he had seen snow before but he has eight rallies to learn and it can be good for him.

”Stohl Racing, which is embarking on its first season running a Super 2000 machine, will restrict its efforts to a one-car operation in order to concentrate on overseeing Oliveira’s progression. The experienced Spanish co-driver Carlos del Barrio will navigate Oliveira.

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