Podium finish will do for champion Nicolas Vouilloz

Nicolas Vouilloz is confident he will still be able to successfully defend his Intercontinental Rally Challenge title this year even if he doesn't win Sata Rally Azores, which runs from May 7-9.

Vouilloz, the IRC champion in 2008, has yet to register a win this season and is currently five points behind championship leader and team-mate Freddy Loix.

After failing to score points on the Monte Carlo Rally in January, Vouilloz is currently a distant sixth in the drivers' standings. But he insists a podium finish will be a satisfactory result and will be enough to keep his season on track.

"There is still a long way to go in the championship so I do not have to win," said Vouilloz, 33. "Besides it will not be easy because you have to consider the road position might not be good for me and there also some very quick drivers who will be hard to beat."

Vouilloz continued: "If I have the feeling in the car then I will try, of course. We had a good test on gravel and I am confident with the car. But as long as I am the top-three places then I will be happy."

03 May 2009