Kiwi rally fan, has been delving through the record books and unearthed some astonishing facts after the Rally of Portugal.
Two-time World Rally Champion, Carlo Sainz, with Elfyn Evans in Portugal.
Rally Trivia – Quickest from first rally winner to world champion
Carlos Sainz was the guest presenter for Red Bull TV during Rally Portugal.  Most people know El Matador won two WRC drivers titles and also won Dakar in 2010.  His son, Carlos Junior, is currently competing in Formula 1.
Carlos won his first WRC rally on June 6th, 1990, when he won the Acropolis Rally. Â
Carlos became world champion 134 days later on 18th October, 1990, in San Remo. These records for least days first rally win and first world title still stand today.
It is hard to imagine them being beaten in the current era.
Rally Trivia – Triplicate times
Three drivers set equal times on SS4, Ponte de Lima of Rally Portugal 2017.  Ott Tanak, Kris Meeke and Craig Breen were all 19m14.0s for the 27.46km test, with an average speed 85.7km/h.
Tanak was driving a Ford Fiesta, with Meeke and Breen both driving Citroen C3s.Â
The previous time three drivers set equal times was SS3, Alta Marmilla, of Rally Sardegna 2011.  Seb Loeb, Seb Ogier and Petter Solberg were all 9m37.8s for the 14.34km, with an average speed of 89.3km/h. All three were driving Citroen DS3s.
Rally Trivia – It last happened 15 years ago
Often in WRC events we will see a driver dominate for a loop of stages, or an entire day, then another driver will find that sweet spot and dominate for another loop, or day.
During Portugal 2017, no driver managed to win consecutive stages. The previous time this occurred was Safari Rally 2002.
Rally Trivia – When one rally exceeds entire seasons
- During Rally Portugal 2017, seven different drivers led the rally. Compare this to the number of different drivers who led rallies over entire seasons.
2004 – seven drivers
2005 - seven drivers
2006 – five drivers
2008 – six drivers
2010 – six drivers
If this does not convince you WRC is currently in a super exciting time, what will?
-Â Â Â Â -Â Gary Boyd
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