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Rally Fever! Algarve Has It

Published on 6th May, 2012

The Algarve Region of Portugal has rally fever! The 46th Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which is Round Four of the 2012 World Rally Championship (WRC), will be held at the Algarve Stadium located just north of Faro. The stadium also serves as the race’s headquarters in the area.

Of course, this is not the first time that Algarve hosted the prestigious Rally de Portugal. The event has been conducted here since 2005 although the racing event’s official start is in Lisbon particularly in the Placa Imperio. The official start consists of a 3-lap stage around the course before heading to the Algarve Stadium for the rest of the event’s activities.

The unusual weather patterns are closely being studied to determine the order of events during the rally with special emphasis being placed on the first day of the rally. The format of the rally is also unusual in that it will last for 7 days with recce on Monday and Tuesday and then the critical stages on Thursday.

The rally’s automatic reverse running order system will apply on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will see 31 competitors battling it out in a national championship event where they will cover 3 stages.

Extra entertainment will also be provided. A special event for classic cars will be held wherein 24 crews will lead the competitors over the opening stage in Lisbon.

Rally fever in Algarve is not unusual, however. Rally de Portugal is consistently voted as one of the best rallies in the world with 5 awards to its name. Racing drivers and fans love the rally because of the high level of excitement, drama and adrenaline during the races.

The rally itself is beamed to a worldwide audience, thus, adding to the expected income of €95 million. It also promotes the Algarve Region to the rest of the world, which explains why officials welcome the event with open arms.

The 2012 Rally de Portugal features 3 night stages, which is being done for the first time since 2001. The excitement begins as early as the previous Saturday when the leading crews participated in a promotional event held on the Lameirinha stage.

Indeed, a thrilling weekend awaits all off-road racing fans at the 46th Vodafone Rally de Portugal. Add in the exciting world-class competitors on the track and the rally is set to become one of the most exciting races in recent history.

Who will be there? Eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb will heat up the tracks on Sunday afternoon while Mikko Hirvonen will give him a run for his money. Sebastien Ogier (Skoda) is also present and is apparently set to repeat his 2010 and 2011 victory here. The local favorite is Armindo Araújo’s MINI hopes to finish better after his 7th-place finish in Mexico.

Indeed, with 55 teams competing in the 46th Rally de Portugal, it’s time to head to the stadium and enjoy the best races of your life!

For information on Algarve property contact the Portugal Property team via email at: info@portugalproperty.com or call free on +44(0) 800 0148201

Published in: Portuguese Life