On the 9th of May, Coimbra will once again be the epicenter of automotive adrenaline with the start of the Rally de Portugal. The event, which promises to fill the city’s streets with the roar of engines, starts at 5pm, but from 2:30pm, Praça das Cortes will be full of activities for motorsport fans.
With 69 entrants, the Rally de Portugal is not only the biggest event on the national motorsport calendar, but also attracts the best drivers in the world to Portuguese roads. It is a celebration of motorsport that unites the community around the passion for racing.
The city of Coimbra, once again, shows its support for the event, preparing to welcome both runners and spectators with enthusiasm. From the 4th of May, preparations begin, with restrictions on parking and assembly of the ramp for the departure ceremony, which will continue until the day of the start.
The days leading up to the rally are marked by increasing unrest in the city, with parking and circulation banned in certain areas to ensure the safety and fluidity of the event. But it is on the 9th that the excitement reaches its peak, with Praça das Cortes transformed into a true motorized amusement park.
From 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm the trucks with the competition cars arrive, while autograph sessions and the opportunity to take a photo with the drivers entertain the fans. At 5pm, with the national anthem sung, the official start takes place, beginning a journey of pure speed and adrenaline.
Superspecial in Figueira da Foz has a new route
The adrenaline of the Rally de Portugal is not limited to the roads of Coimbra. This year, the super special in Figueira da Foz brings with it some new features that promise to raise the level of excitement even further for racing enthusiasts.
Councilor Manuel Domingues, responsible for Sports at the municipality, revealed the changes to the layout of this urban event, which will be the first stage of the rally this year. The Avenida de Espanha area and the adjacent car park, known as Parque das Gaivotas, will be the stage for a unique show.
The route maintains its length of 2.94 kilometers, but with some significant changes. Three roundabouts have been added to the interior of the car park, challenging drivers with tight and exciting curves. Furthermore, the jump that characterized last year’s race was repositioned, providing riders with an even more exciting experience.
Manuel Domingues explained that the objective was to make the route safer and more dynamic, maintaining the characteristic emotion of the super special in Figueira da Foz. The race, which will take place at 7:05 pm on May 9th, promises to be an unmissable moment for fans.
Despite discussions about the future of the super special in Figueira da Foz, with Coimbra expressing interest in recovering the race in 2025, the local authority reaffirmed its commitment to the event. With a contract that guarantees them the right to option until 2025, Figueira da Foz is determined to maintain its presence on the Rally de Portugal calendar.
Financial challenges and need for state support
As engines roar and crowds gather to witness the excitement of the Rally de Portugal, behind the scenes organizers face a significant financial challenge. The Automóvel Clube de Portugal (ACP) revealed that the event, with a cost of four million euros, is loss-making and is in discussion about how to guarantee its financial future.
Speaking during the presentation session of the ceremonial departure of the Rally de Portugal, João Mendes Dias, director of operations at ACP, highlighted the importance of public support for the viability of the event. With expenses that include costs of services provided by state and related entities, such as the GNR, PSP, Civil Protection and firefighters, reaching one million euros, financial support from the State becomes crucial.
The financing model for the Rally de Portugal has evolved over the years, with support from Turismo de Portugal and, more recently, financing from the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions. However, following the end of the last funding model in 2021, the ACP is in negotiations with state entities to find a viable solution for the future of the event.
From Shakedown to victory: the Rally in the Center region
With a total length of 1,690.12 kilometers, including 337.04 timed kilometers, the event promises to be a test of endurance and skill for the pilots.
The big news this year is the 22 special classification stages, a number that has not been reached since the 2012 edition. This diversity of challenges promises to test the skill of the drivers and the resistance of the cars throughout the entire rally.
The action starts on Thursday morning, May 9th, in Baltar, with the 4.61km Shakedown, followed by the official Start Ceremony in Coimbra, at 5pm. The competitors then head to Figueira da Foz, for the opening Superspecial, with 2.94 km, scheduled for 7:05 pm and broadcast on RTP1.
On Friday, the dirt specials in the Central region will be the first major test, with emphasis on the Mortágua stage, to be covered twice, and the passes through Lousã, Góis and Arganil.
Mortágua
Time— 1st pass at 8:05 am 2nd pass at 5:35 pm
For the 2024 edition, Mortágua gained another ticket and now opens on Friday. The challenge involves a selective route that enjoys an impeccable and fast terrain next to the eucalyptus trees that are so characteristic of this landscape, where the balance between speed and refined technique can dictate significant differences in the classification.
Blackboard
Time— 1st pass at 9:35 am 2nd pass at 2:05 pm
After an absence of more than twenty years, the Rally de Portugal returned in 2019 to Serra da Lousã, this year taking honors as the opening of the competitive part of the Rally. Facing the already traditional route debuted four years ago and which takes place in a dense forest area, with a very technical and selective progression, enshrining the naturalness and harshness of the Beira landscape. The section culminates with a spectacular descent made up of numerous hairpins, ending at the gates of the town of Lousã.
Góis
Time— 1st pass at 10:35 am 2nd pass at 3:05 pm
The renewed Góis section is shorter this year at the beginning. The demands of the fast route will leave no room for error or contemplation of the stunning landscapes. The now traditional Sobral hairpin marks the final descent, providing additional excitement for the WRC drivers on the longest special stage of the day.
Arganil
Time— 1st pass at 11:35 am 2nd pass at 4:05 pm
Intense, diverse in rhythm and cadence where emotion and imminent danger run hand in hand along the slopes of the Açor mountain range. Although current safety standards require the installation of protective rails in the most dizzying areas, this section will not overlook the fact that a small error could be fatal to the ambitions of drivers and teams.
On Saturday, the competitors face two ‘loops’ through the Felgueiras, Montim, Amarante and Paredes stages, ending the day with the Lousada Super Special, broadcast on RTP2.
Sunday’s decisive stage will consist of double passes through the Cabeceiras de Basto sections and the Fafe sections, the usual stage of the Power Stage, with both passes live on RTP1.
