Antonio Nunes 3rd overall and Grp N winner in MML Sports EvoX

Portuguese driver Antonio Nunes took his first class win of the 2010 Madeira rally championship this weekend, on the Rali Camacha. The local driver was third overall behind a pair of Super2000 cars and was the leading Group N car for much of the event.

As on last month’s Rally Porto Santo Line, Nunes faced an event-long battle with Joao Magalhaes, also at the wheel of a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX. However, it was Nunes who took the advantage, posting top three stage times for most of the event’s eight timed tests.

By the end of the event, Nunes held an almost-20 second lead over Magalhaes, to record his first outright podium of the season and his first Group N event win.

Commenting on the weekend, MML Sports Managing Director, John Easton said: “I’m delighted that Antonio has taken the class win on only his second event in the MML Sports-prepared Lancer EvoX. He was very unlucky not to take it on his first event last month, when it rained on the start line of the last stage but we knew it would only be a matter of time.

“What is also very encouraging, in addition to his clear pace, is the reliability of the car. It suffered no problems at all during the weekend and Antonio has been very complimentary about the car and our support.”