The Automóvel Club de Portugal event covers historic stages of the Rally of Portugal and takes 68 teams on a 1,900-kilometer course from Tuesday to Saturday. The first stage will connect Sintra and Figueira da Foz.
Everything is set for the start of the 18th Historic Rally of Portugal, one of the most important historic regularity events in Europe, spanning 1,900 kilometers across several regions of the country. Nearly seventy teams will undergo administrative checks today at the Vila Galé Hotel in Sintra and will start the first of four stages tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. from Praia de Magoito, in Sintra.
Though the details of the course are kept secret, in line with regularity rally rules, Tuesday’s stage will take the cars and drivers to Figueira da Foz, covering a total of 243.23 kilometers, 43.88 of which are contested in special stages. Until the early hours of next Saturday, the Historic Portugal Rally will pass through several iconic locations from the history of the Portuguese World Rally Championship event, including Arganil, Fafe, Lousada, and the famous "Sintra night," as well as making debuts in Coimbra and at the popular Leiria Sobre Rodas event (see program below).
Among the 68 teams, mostly from abroad, are cars built between 1957 and 1990, including several historic models: multiple Porsche 911s, Ford Escort RS, Lancia Stratos, Lancia Delta Integrale, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Mazda 323 GTX 4WD, and an Austin Healey 100/6, the oldest car in the rally.
Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis and a classic rally enthusiast, will be behind the wheel of a 1985 Porsche 911 3.2. The international nature of the Historic Portugal Rally is also highlighted by the participation of competitors from Andorra, Belgium, Spain, France, the UK, Republic of Ireland, Russia, and Switzerland, in addition to Portugal.
ACP donates 5,000 trees to fire-affected regions
The Automobile Club of Portugal has donated 5,000 native trees to help reforest areas destroyed by wildfires, in collaboration with the National Association of Forestry, Agricultural, and Environmental Companies (ANEFA).
As a non-profit public utility institution, the ACP sees this action as part of its mission and its commitment to solidarity and sustainability values.
PROGRAM
Stage 1 | September 24
2:00 p.m. – Departure from Sintra (Praia de Magoito)
7:30 p.m. – Arrival in Figueira da Foz (Avenida do Brasil)
Stage 2 | September 25
8:00 a.m. – Departure from Figueira da Foz (Avenida do Brasil)
1:35/3:30 p.m. – Regrouping in Arganil (Old Arganil Ceramic Factory)
3:40 p.m. – Montalto Hill Climb
7:30/11:30 p.m. – Arrival and service in Viseu (Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa)
Stage 3 | September 26
8:00 a.m. – Departure from Viseu (Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa)
11:10 a.m. – SS Lousada Circuit
11:22 a.m. – Passing by Lousada City Hall
1:00/3:00 p.m. – Regrouping in Fafe (Quinta do Gadeão)
7:15/8:45 p.m. – Regrouping in Lamego (Paraíso do Douro)
9:00 p.m. – Lamego Hill Climb
11:00 p.m. – Arrival in Viseu (Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa)
Stage 4 | September 27
8:00 a.m. – Departure from Viseu (Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa)
1:00/2:30 p.m. – Regrouping in Coimbra (University Stadium)
6:30/9:00 p.m. – SS Leiria Street Circuit (Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Municipal Stadium) and regrouping
11:55 p.m. – Passage through São Pedro de Sintra
12:35 a.m. – Regrouping in Sintra (Municipal Palace)
1:27 a.m. – Arrival in Sintra (Vila Galé Sintra Hotel)