Down south
Fifty cars accelerated out of Portimão’s ‘Parque de Feiras e Exposições’ last month to compete the title deciding last stage of the Portuguese Rally Championships in the foothills of Monchique. After a long season spanning the whole country, four pilots were still in contention, led by Mitsubishi’s Fernando Peres. In the event, Armindo Araújo, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, came out on top to claim his third consecutive national crown.
At the same time, it was announced that the sports’ showcase event, the Lisbon-Dakar race, which will make its debut start in Portugal’s capital this New Year’s Eve, will continue in its present form until 2008. Hence Portimão will maintain its first stage status over the next three years, welcoming competitors from all over the world on their way to Senagal via Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea.
