Portugal to stay in the race
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Loading... - Aurelia Marques
- 26 Apr 2023
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The Portugal stage of the World Rally Championship will remain on the World calendar, at least until 2025, according to the president of the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP).
We are going to sign, very soon [the contract for the continuity of the race in the World Championship (WRC)], for another two years, beyond this one”, said Carlos Barbosa, for whom “it is almost unthinkable to hold a World Championship without the presence of Portugal as one of the European stages”.
For this condition to be maintained, it is important to continue to focus on environmental sustainability – which has already been recognised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) – and, above all, on the safety of both participants and spectators.
"Safety, for us, is fundamental and that's why we spend the money we spend, because, with the slightest carelessness in safety, we lose the rally and, right now, there are several European countries that want to enter the World Championship”, warned Carlos Barbosa. At a competitive level, the race organisers have no doubts. The Portugal Rally is one of “the best stages in the world” with “a spectacular audience”, which will make the race, the fifth stage of the 2023 championship, between 11 and 14 May, “a great success”.
For Carlos Barbosa, the participation of the drivers demonstrates the virtues of the Rally of Portugal: “On average, the World Championship rallies have around 40 to 45 cars. We, last year, had 90 and this year I think we will still reach that number”, noted Carlos Barbosa. The 56th edition of the race will begin in the centre of the country, on Friday, May 12, with routes through the sections in Lousã (12.03 km), Góis (19.33 km), Arganil (18 km .72) and Mortágua (18.15), before the debut of the super special stage in Figueira da Foz. Read More…
