Portugal makes its W2RC debut

In April 2024, Portugal will make its debut as host in the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship with the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. This event, organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal, will take place from April 2nd to 7th, being the third of five dates of this year's championship.

The rally starts in Grândola, in the Setúbal district, and will cover 1,758 kilometers. Competitors will face a challenging route through the regions of Alentejo and Ribatejo in Portugal and a portion in the Spanish region of Extremadura. With 1,008 kilometers of special stages, the event promises to be rigorous and competitive.

The country has a notable history in rally-raid, hosting events such as the Rally de Portugal, the Baja Portalegre 500, and the 24H TT de Portugal. Additionally, Portuguese drivers like Hélder Rodrigues and Paulo Gonçalves have had a significant impact on this sport.

This rally in Portugal is notable for being the seventh country to host the W2RC and for its inclusion in Europe. The event features an innovative format, with a prologue and stages that include night sections and live TV coverage by Sport TV.

Carlos Barbosa, president of the Automóvel Club de Portugal, highlights the difficulty and quality in the organization of the event. David Castera, Director of Motor Sports at A.S.O., points out the importance of Portugal in the world of rally-raid.
The event kicks off with the closing of registrations on March 18th, followed by several preliminary activities and stages taking place from April 2nd to 7th.