Montalegre took the World Rallycross star to Cais de Gaia

One of the most famous events in the North of Portugal received today the first public presentation of the Montalegre World RX of Portugal, confirmation that, on the weekend of June 3 and 4, the World Rallycross Championship (FIA World RX) opens.

The organization that manages the Municipality of Montalegre and the Clube Automóvel de Vila Real took some of the world’s stars to Cais de Gaia, near the Tourism Shop, where the details of one of the biggest motorsport events in Portugal were revealed. World RX, remember, is one of the FIA ​​world championships that visit our country, along with WRC (conventions) and WEC (endurance).

“It is a proud thing to see, every year, thousands and thousands of people return to Montalegre for this great event”, said the mayor of Montalegre, Fátima Fernandes. “The operators say that we have one of the best songs in the world and the international dimension of this event deserves the support of the agencies responsible for promoting our country. After all, we took the power of Montalegre, the Northern region and Portugal to different parts of the world, with a huge influx of fans from Spain”recalled the mayor of Montalegre.

Loeb focuses on Portugal

On the weekend of June 3 and 4, four competitions enter the competition: the RX1e World Championship, with 100% electric cars of 500 kW of power (around 700 hp), a four-wheel drive and capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km / h in two seconds; RX1 European Championship, and Supercars with petrol engines and more than 600 hp; The RX3 European Championship, with the two-wheeled petrol S1600; and a supporting Kartcross race, with about a dozen Portuguese and Spanish drivers.

The first class was represented at Gaia by French Sébastien Loeb (Special One Competition), Finnish Niclas Grönholm (CE Dealer Team) and Swedish Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team). “It’s always a pleasure to race in Portugal. I’ve been here in various championships, from rallies to circuits to rallies, and you can see the passion of the Portuguese racing public. I don’t know how our performance will be on the return to rallycross, but I love the track of Montalegre, I’ve raced there three times, I’ve been on the podium twice and I want to give the fans a good show.”, said Sébastien Loeb, who returns to FIA ​​World RX five years after his last participation. The famous French driver will be behind the wheel of one of the Lancia Delta Evo-e, a model that recalls the name and lines of one of the most famous rally cars, the Lancia Delta Integrale.

In a race with a total of 11 Portuguese drivers in two FIA European Championships, the national competitors were represented by João Ribeiro (Euro RX3), Jorge Machado (Euro RX3), André Sousa (Euro RX3) and Sérgio Castro (Kartcross).

Bernardo Sousa driving the Volvo CE show car

Portugal’s Official Montalegre World RX Ambassador, Bernardo Sousa will make his debut behind the wheel of a World Rallycross machine, driving a Volvo CE show car. The former national rally champion will make joint trips with visitors and fans, and the possibility of participating in the Kartcross race is also open.

“Not many people know, but in 2014 I was in talks with Petter Solberg to join his team in Rallycross”revealed Bernardo Sousa. “It is an intense and interesting game, which I have always followed with great curiosity. I have already been told that Montalegre has a wonderful atmosphere, with great passion for the game and thousands of people in the stands and paddocks. When the invitation came to be an ambassador for the event and drive a Volvo CE, I immediately thought it was a unique opportunity, to drive a new generation car, with incredible performance, and to be able to live this experience in Montalegre”said Bernardo Sousa, who promised news to his followers on social networks.

This weekend, the Montalegre track also hosts the official FIA World RX pre-season test, from Saturday to Monday. Tickets for the Montalegre World RX of Portugal are available at https://montalegre.bol.pt/