Fafe will once again be the stage for the Rally of Portugal, hosting the conclusion of the race on Saturday and Sunday, with the integration of the Montim section on Saturday, which will be joined by the qualifying stage on Sunday, as has been the habit in recent years. years, under a “power stage” regime.
The entry list is the largest list of the World Rally Championship season to date, as announced by the organization, in charge of the Automóvel Club de Portugal, and is made up of 69 teams from 22 nationalities.
The competition’s entry list is headed by three world champions and seven former winners of the event, who promise to bring excitement to 15 municipalities across the country, with “the stars of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)” accelerating through the northern and center of the country, in what is “the biggest sporting event held annually in Portugal”.
This year Montim returns to the Rally de Portugal itinerary, on May 11th. With the same route as the 2022 edition, the section will have three show areas where the public can follow the progress of the competitors. In terms of timings, the first passage will be at 09:05 and the second passage will take place at 15:35.
At Confurco, visibility and comfort will be combined to create an environment that proves to be impressive every year, without forgetting the passage on the asphalt and the Pedra Sentada jump, which ends the section with a golden seal, on May 12th. The party begins the afternoon before, when spectators begin to gather and find the best place to watch the passing of cars, which lasts until the last competitor passes through the section, which will also be the stage for the “Power Stage”. Here, the first passage will take place at 8:35, and the second passage will take place at 12:15.
The Rally of Portugal inaugurates the European dirt phase of the WRC, with a route very similar to that of 2023, with the big novelty being the 22 qualifying specials, a number that has not been reached since the 2012 edition, according to the organization’s statement.
The list of participants includes names such as Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, Kris Meeke and Armindo Araújo, the latter two now participating in the Rally2 category.
