The full-time participation of world champion Craig Breen (Hyundai i20) is one of the novelties of this year’s edition of the Portuguese Rally Championship, which starts on Friday, with the Serras de Fafe Rally.
Breen was hired by the Korean brand to challenge the hegemony of Armindo Araújo (Skoda Fábia), seven times champion and current holder of the national title.
The Irishman, who is in a part-program with Hyundai in the World Championship, takes the place of Bruno Magalhães, who was unable to muster support to continue full-time in the championship.
With the other i20 will be the Algarve Ricardo Teodósio, champion in 2021 and the only one who managed to beat Araújo since his return to the sport, in 2018.
“We’re coming off a season where things certainly didn’t go our way. In the offseason, as a team, we evaluated what went wrong, gathered more information, tested and methodically prepared this season, so we can be more prepared for the challenges that we are going to have ahead of us”, guarantees Ricardo Teodósio.
This year, Armindo Araújo will be divided into two modalities, since he will join the rallies, full-time, in the national all-terrain event.
“As has happened in all seasons, we entered the Portuguese Rally Championship with the intention of fighting for victories in all competitions and reaching the absolute title. That is what we are working for and what we will be focused on”, guarantees Armindo Araújo, that maintains its commitment to the Skoda Fabia.
José Pedro Fontes (Citroën C3) remains faithful to the French brand and is a name to keep in mind in the fight for victories, especially in asphalt rallies.
Miguel Correia (Skoda Fábia), born in Braga, made his debut in 2022, so this year he appears with more responsibility and confidence.
Madeiran Bernardo Sousa (Citroën C3), champion in 2010, is back in the championship, after being suspended following a positive anti-doping test.
The Casinos do Algarve Rally also returns, after a year’s absence from the championship, exchanging with the Azores Rally.
The Serras de Fafe Rally is also eligible for the European Championship, with 86 entries, including around 30 CPR drivers.
“It is a great start to the Portuguese Championship and it reflects the good moment of rallies, because normally at the beginning of the season there are not so many registrations, highlighting the presence of young drivers”, underlines the president of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation (FPAK), Ni Amorim.
The federation leader assures that the entry list allows “foreseeing a competitive and spectacular start to the season”.
Minho’s race kicks off with a super special on Friday night.
– Calendar:
March 10-12: Serras de Fafe Rally (land)
29 Mar-01 Apr: Rally Casinos do Algarve (Ground)
April 28 and 29: Terras D’Aboboreira Rally (land)
May 11-14: Rally Portugal (gravel)
June 09-10: Castelo Branco Rally (asphalt)
August 03-05: Madeira Rally (asphalt)
September 15-16: Water Rally (asphalt)
Oct 13-14: Vidreiro Rally (asphalt)
Source: TSF
