Ott Tänak's Rockin' Ride Takes the Wild WRC Portugal Rally

The old gravel roads in rural Portugal can be tortuous at the best of times.

They served as a daunting proving ground, though, for Estonia Ott Tänak and his Toyota Yaris team to emerge victorious in the 2019 Portugal Rally.

Dude even had enough margin of victory to spend some of it doing a bitta positioning for the tour's next race in Italy.

 

After all, who really wants to go outta the rally gate first?

It's that sorta fine attention to details that helps you finish first.

Along with awesome suspension.

 

Tänak took the lead on Friday morning, repelling challenges from Toyota Gazoo Racing teammates Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke.

Dude also overcame brake and suspension problems in his Yaris to score a ninth career victory:

 

As usual on the WRC circuit, there were maniac moments along the way.

Lotsa thrills and spills. In fact, both Tänak and Meeke recovered from their own adventures:

 

Points leader Sébastien Ogier left Portugal frustrated at his team's tactics that put him first on the road.

Dude felt this left him at a disadvantage in this race that will carry over to the rally in Italy.

 

He's got a week to cool down, which would be useful to his cause.

There's been a year's worth of controversy already about the race being held in Sardinia. Dude had best, in the words of Jim Morrison, keep his eyes on the road and his hands upon the wheel.

And tune out everything else.