This year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal features the biggest entry list for the event since the last time it was based at the Exponor centre in Matosinhos, back in 2000.
Originally, 90 entries were permitted but the organisers requested dispensation from the FIA to allow the six reserve entries to be allowed to compete and so, a full 96 crews will take the start of the event this week.
Returning to the north of Portugal and the rally’s spiritual home for the first time since 2001, not only are there a record number of entries, there is also a record number of countries represented on the event.
There are drivers from no less than 33 countries taking part this year, with by far the largest number from the host nation, with 18 competitors from Portugal.
France is the second-most represented nation, with 13 drivers – hopefully not unlucky for any of them – closely followed by Italy, with 10.
There are entries from all corners of the globe, including North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and of course, all parts of Europe.
That means that there are entries from every continent on earth with the exception of Antarctica.
Today (Wednesday) sees the crews complete the second of the two-day pre-event recce which will be crucial, since none of the Priority 1, 2 or 3 drivers competed on the event when it was last run in the north as part of the FIA World Rally Championship.
This year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal features the biggest entry list for the event since the last time it was based at the Exponor centre in Matosinhos, back in 2000.
Originally, 90 entries were permitted but the organisers requested dispensation from the FIA to allow the six reserve entries to be allowed to compete and so, a full 96 crews will take the start of the event this week.
Returning to the north of Portugal and the rally’s spiritual home for the first time since 2001, not only are there a record number of entries, there is also a record number of countries represented on the event.
There are drivers from no less than 33 countries taking part this year, with by far the largest number from the host nation, with 18 competitors from Portugal.
France is the second-most represented nation, with 13 drivers – hopefully not unlucky for any of them – closely followed by Italy, with 10.
There are entries from all corners of the globe, including North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and of course, all parts of Europe.
That means that there are entries from every continent on earth with the exception of Antarctica.
Today (Wednesday) sees the crews complete the second of the two-day pre-event recce which will be crucial, since none of the Priority 1, 2 or 3 drivers competed on the event when it was last run in the north as part of the FIA World Rally Championship.