The largest sporting event that takes place annually in Portugal has truly impressive numbers in practically all areas of its organisation, starting with logistics and ending with safety - perhaps one of the most important reasons for the success of the Vodafone Rally of Portugal.
Voted the best rally in the world on five occasions, the Vodafone Rally of Portugal involves impressive logistics, especially from the day you hit the road. But planning actually starts many months in advance…
To ensure that no detail is missed during the event, the structure of the Automóvel Clube de Portugal includes 800 people in the most diverse areas relating to the organisation. This number rises to 1,700 people, if we include direct suppliers and elements related to private security.
As far as security is concerned, the Vodafone Rally of Portugal involves 2,800 GNR operatives, 175 firefighters and 110 INEM elements, in addition to another 450 marshals spread across the 21 stages that make up the competitive programme.
Rally officials are based in the operational centre at Exponor to carry out general and real-time coordination. In addition to the race director and his two assistants, the Rally HQ brings together the FIA delegates, those responsible for the course and safety, the head doctor, the results coordinator and the marshal, as well as 15 GNR operatives and six firefighters.
In addition to more than 450 vehicles directly assigned to the organisation, there are also five helicopters at the disposal of the event (two to fly over each stage before departure), based on 36 heliports. During the rally, an aircraft operated by the Air Force will be permanently in the air, ensuring communications and live broadcasts.
Including logistical and human factors, mileage and other items of interest, here are some of the numbers that contribute to making the Automóvel Club de Portugal’s race so special.
141.2 million Euros is the impact generated by the Vodafone Rally of Portugal, with more than half of this amount (73 million) corresponding to direct expenditure made in the regions through which the rally passes.
14,000 bench seats available to the public throughout the rally.
12,500 credentials distributed to personnel assigned to the event.
7,500 accredited vehicles, including 400 directly linked to the organisation.
1,522.89km is the total route of the 55th edition of the Vodafone Rally of Portugal.
This year, 343.30km will be contested competitively over 21 stages;
16,000 poles used during the rally.
10,000 boards with varied signage for the public and competitors;
3,000 operatives linked to the security forces during the four days of the rally.
700 GNR agents will be on the road on each of the rally's four days.
1,800 square metres of covered tent area.
1,300 units of plastic tape used to define the course of the super specials.
700 concrete bollards used along the route.
450 marshals ensure safety on the 21 stages.
500 jobs at Exponor during the four days of competition.
175 firefighters on duty during the event.
110 INEM elements to guarantee rapid assistance.
100 teams registered this year, representing 25 nationalities.
140km of plastic tape to limit public areas
55 editions of the Rally of Portugal will be completed in 2022.
50km of net roll used to define the spectator areas.
37.24km is the length of the Amarante stage (SS12/15), the longest in this edition;
34 heliports are used by the five helicopters at the event.
26 Portuguese teams registered.
12 cars from the ‘Rally1’ category are entered at this edition of the rally.
10km of low grade and 5km of high grade fencing are used at various points along the route.
4 is the number of race days.
2.82km is the length of the Coimbra super special, the shortest stage of this year’s rally.
1 plane in the air throughout the rally to ensure all communications.