Oliveira signs up for full season in Euro RX1: ‘I feel my time is now’

Oliveira only started out in rallycross in 2021 behind the wheel of a BMW E36, prior to switching to a Peugeot 208 WRX the following year as he joined the domestic series’ Supercar ranks. Underscoring his rapid acclimatisation to the sport, over the intervening period, he has clinched three national titles – the first of which, notably, he achieved in his maiden season in the top-tier.

In parallel with that, the Várzea do Douro native has been a regular contender in the Portuguese round on the Euro RX schedule, competing at Montalegre from 2022 to 2024 – claiming a best finish of ninth – and at Lousada last year, when he advanced to the final for the first time in the high-calibre field. He further enhanced his CV with an ‘Am’ class win – and ‘Pro’ category podium – in RallyX at Montalegre in 2025, marking his finest result to-date at international level.

Buoyed by that impressive progress, Oliveira is now gearing up to test his mettle on the European scene full-time. While acknowledging that it will be both a step up and a step into the unknown, it is one that he is eager to embrace. 

“I’d never even touched rallycross before 2021, but it was love at first sight,” the 41-year-old admitted. “That experience really whetted my appetite and I realised I needed more – I needed a solid project. That’s when I went looking for a car that would let me enjoy the ride but also give me the tools to grow and win, and the Peugeot checked every box. It was the perfect match for the Supercar category and the ideal base for me to gain confidence and build my career.

“Since then, I’ve managed to adapt my style and give the crowd the kind of show a car like this allows – and after four national seasons, I felt it was time for something tougher, more challenging and a place where I can really evolve as a driver.

“I know the difficulties and the hurdles ahead, but that’s exactly why I’m grabbing this opportunity. It was a calculated move – while the Portuguese Championship is looking great this year, I know I have to take on the European Championship now, or the chance might pass me by.

“The biggest challenge will be to balance all my responsibilities so I can be 100 per cent there, body and soul. I want to grow the right way, with the right people and soak up every tiny detail, to acquire the skills I need to fight for results. I’m looking to sharpen my circuit-reading abilities – finding the best lines and nailing the car’s set-up with my technical team, no matter the track surface, the weather or whatever else gets thrown at us.

​“I love Lousada – for me, that is the track – and while I haven’t been to the other circuits in person yet, I’ve been studying them like crazy through videos and track maps and I’ve followed the previous seasons digitally to make sure I know the layouts inside-out before I even turn the key.

“I’m a man of challenges, but I keep it low-profile and respectful. My goal is to be more effective and competitive with every race, earning everything my dedication and hard work will allow. I’m fully aware this is a different world compared to what I’ve done so far, and my biggest focus is to arrive, learn and win wherever possible. Ultimately, I’m just a local guy with big goals, but I feel my time is now.”