The 57th edition of the Rally de Portugal is practically on the road. Over the course of four days, the engines will be heard in the most mythical sections of the specialty and a lot of dust will be raised as the powerful cars compete. Take advantage of the spectacle areas and, if you want to follow the car route, make stops to refuel, preferably with regional products. To avoid missing anything, follow this Boa Cama Boa Mesa itinerary and enjoy the rally in all its aspects.
The engines start, in the 57th edition of the Rally de Portugal, officially for the first time, this Thursday, May 9th. At 8:01 am the first car leaves for Baltar’s “Shakedown”. Then head to the center of Portugal, and in between, don’t forget to try the “Fever Sandwich in Vine d’Alho, with fried egg and cheese” at Café Santos (Tel. 224333023) in Paredes. If it’s full, opt for some “Moelas”, “Dobrada”, or “Bucho” and “Orelheira” from Taberna do Careca (Tel. 223291861), in the same location. The Ceremonial Departure, which officially marks the Start of the Rally, is in Coimbra, at 5pm. Unmissable, in the city of students, are the “Ossos do Espinhaço” in the mythical Zé Manel dos Ossos (Tel. 239823790). The race continues with the Figueira da Foz Superspecial, on an urban route measuring 2.94 kilometers, between the Forte da Figueira da Foz area and Parque das Gaivotas. The first car starts to show at 7:05 pm. For a snack in Figueira da Foz, the option might be “Amêijoa à Kamone” at Kamone Bar Petisqueira (Tel. 233046271) and for dinner, Gato Preto (Tel. 919771723) suggests “Sardines in pajamas”, scaled and then breaded.
On Friday, May 10th, the race enters high competition, and you begin to feel the harshness of the national roads. The Mortágua 1 section starts at 8:05 am, and at the Origens restaurant (Tel. 231929021), for those in a hurry there is “Bifanas à moda do Porto”. At 9:35 am the “bolides” are already leaving for the Lousã 1 section, and if you prefer to wait for the second passage, the ideal is a visit to the O Burgo restaurant (Tel. 239991162) for a “Cozido do Talasnal na broa”. Góis 1 is the next section, at 10:35 am, and at the Beira Rio restaurant (Tel. 965046737) there is “Chanfana” and “Sopa de presunto”. The famous Arganil 1 section starts at 11:35 am, and for lunch, at Açor TT – Tapas e Turismo (Tel. 933195684) you can enjoy the Cheese and Sausage Board, where a special regional Bucho appears, made in the form of a chorizo. In front of this space there is a rest stop. Also on Friday, the Lousã 2 sections will run at 2:05 pm, Góis 2 at 3:05 pm and Arganil 2 at 4:05 pm. The day ends with the return to the Mortágua 2 section at 5:35 pm.
Heading north, on Saturday, May 11th, the day begins with the Felgueiras 1 special classification race, at 8:05 am (repeats at 2:35 pm). At the Santa Quitéria Restaurant (Tel. 255313712) try the “Tuna salad with black-eyed peas”, the “Torresmos” and the “Gizzards”. For something sweeter, choose the “Pão de Ló” from Fábrica do Pão de Ló de Margaride (Tel. 255312121). Montim 1, near Fafe, starts at 9:05 am, with a second pass at 3:35 pm, and at Restaurante Porinhos (Tel. 253492132) you can try the “Roasted Veal à Moda de Fafe”, then moving on to the Amarante 1 classification, which starts at 10:05 am. Amarante 2 is at 4:35 pm. Don’t miss the typical “Cebola com sal e binho” from Adega Kilowatt (Tel. 255433159) or the “Lérias”, the “Brisas do Tâmega”, the “Foguetes”, the “São Gonçalos”, the “Barquinhos” and the “ Papos de angel” from Confeitaria da Ponte (Tel. 938624411). Amarante 2 takes place at 4:35 pm. The Paredes 1 stage runs at 11:35 am, Paredes 2 at 6:05 pm. The Lousada Super Special starts at 7:05 pm and at the end, at Toca do Coelho (Tel. 914736039) in Lousada, there are “Tapas” and “Cod Pataniscas” for dinner.
The last day of the 57th edition of the Rally de Portugal, Sunday, May 12th, has only four special classification events. Early in the morning, Cabeceiras de Basto 1 is run, at 7:05 am, repeating at 9:35 am, and the Fafe 1 stage at 8:35 am, ending with a “Power Stage” Fafe 2 at 12:15 pm. At the Araújo Restaurant (Tel. 967578190) in Cabeceiras de Basto there are, to refuel before returning, “Gizzards”, “Grilled Alheira with egg”, “Rojões”, “Presunto”, “Salpicão”, “Fried Cod” and “Picadinho ”. You can end the test with a “Drunk Pear”.
