09 - 12 May 2024
Service Park : Matosinhos, Portugal
https://rallydeportugal.pt/
Rally Portugal Stage Maps
Rally Portugal was included in the inaugural WRC calendar in 1973 and is held on fairly fast technical gravel roads. The weather in Portugal can be changeable in May when the rally is usually held, making the surfaces soft, revealing rocks that can catch drivers out.
For 2024 Rally Portugal is back as the 5th round of the World Rally Championship. The European Rally Championship, which uses many of the same stages as the WRC, does not include Portugal for 2024.
Rally Portugal hosts some of the most iconic stages of the WRC including Amarante, Arganil and the infamous Pedra Sentada jump on the Fafe stage. The atmosphere on the stages of Rally Portugal is amazing with passionate fans and most of the viewing places getting very busy. They are however well controlled and regulated, unlike in the late 80’s early 90’s when the cars had to weave through the crowds!
Rally Portugal 2024 has two super special spectator stages this year, the fan favourite Lousada (a rally x track) and Figueira da Foz both street stages. The latter stage is close to Coimbra and replaces 2022’s stage in the city, there is no Porto – Foz stage (in Matosinhos) this year.
The super special stages are all held in the evening and are fun to watch, especially if you can find somewhere to stay nearby.
Fridays Rally Portugal route features double passes of Mortágua, Lousa, Gois and Arganil, with the two loops separated by a remote tyre fitting area in Arganil. The day ends with a single run through Mortagua. There is no service until the cars return to Mastosinhos in the evening, any mechanical problems could prove costly.
On Saturday the crews face two loops through Felgueiras, Montim Amarante and Paredes with a service between loops. The cars then head to the Lousada Rallycross circuit where the cars race head to head setting off in pairs around a figure of 8 stage.
Sunday consists of 2 loops of Cabeceiras de Basto and Fafe, the latter being the Wolf Power Stage. Undoubtedly the highlight of the day (and possibly the rally) is the enormous Pedra Sentada jump at the end of the Fafe stage and the huge crowds it attracts. If you want to watch this stage you will need to arrive very early to get a good viewing position.
Rally Portugal 2023 will, again, be hosted Portos coastal area, Matosinhos
Tickets
Rally Passes are available, which offer added value with access to things such as seated viewing areas and shuttle buses. These range in price from 65 euros for Lousada only to 433.50 Euros for access to Arganil, Felgueiras and Fafe over the 3 days of the rally. Tickets are available from the official website.
Getting There
Although Porto is a reasonably sized airport and many airlines fly there, it is a regional airport. As such, most countries have an airport serving Porto, though it is usually the larger airports.
Accomodation at Rally Portugal
Portugal is a large tourist destination. Accommodation for the rally is easy to find for virtually any budget and group size. Porto, Matosinhos (where the service park and a super special stage are hosted) and Coimbra have an abundance accomodation including hostels, appartments and hotels.
One place which doesn’t have much accomodation is Lousada, where the Rally X super special is hosted. Rally Portugal generally heads north from here, so look for accomodation around the Felgueiras area.
WRC Itinerary - May 09 - 12
| 8.01 | Baltar (Shakedown) |
| 17.00 | Coimbra – CEREMONIAL START |
| 19.05 | SSS Figueira da Foz |
| 08.05 | SS 2 – Mortágua |
| 09.35 | SS 3 – Lousã 1 |
| 10.35 | SS 4 – Góis 1 |
| 11.35 | SS 5 – Arganil 1 |
| 14.05 | SS 6 – Lousã 2 |
| 15.05 | SS 7 – Góis 2 |
| 16.05 | SS 8 – Arganil 2 |
| 17.35 | SS 9 – Mortágua |
| 08.05 | SS 10 – Felgueiras 1 |
| 09.05 | SS 11 – Montim 1 |
| 10.05 | SS 12 – Amarante 1 |
| 11.35 | SS 13 – Paredes |
| 14.35 | SS 14 – Felgueiras 2 |
| 15.35 | SS 15 – Montim2 |
| 16.35 | SS 16 – Amarante 2 |
| 18.05 | SS 17 – Paredes 2 |
| 19.05 | SS 18 – Lousada (SSS) (Live TV) |