Local interest high as entries announced for Portugal

Fans will have a whole host of local heroes to cheer on when the FIA World Rallycross Championship races into Montalegre next month (17-18 September), with no fewer than 11 Portuguese stars set to take to the track at Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal.

The popular Circuito Internacional de Montalegre returned to the World RX calendar last season following a three-and-a-half-year absence, thrilling spectators with some spectacular action – and much more is in prospect in just over three weeks’ time.

The track will play host to rounds four and five of the 2022 World Championship campaign – the first in the series’ history to feature all-electric cars, and building upon a successful debut in Hell two weeks ago – supported by both European Championships, Euro RX1 and Euro RX3.

The 14-strong field in Euro RX1 will be headlined by former champion Anton Marklund – who is chasing a second career crown at the highest level of European competition this year – as well as fellow front-runners Jānis Baumanis, Sivert Svardal and Enzo Ide. Local interest will be provided by national Super1600 ace Mário Barbosa in a Citroën DS3 and Peugeot 208 driver José Oliveira, who is dominating the Supercar category on the domestic scene.

In Euro RX3, meanwhile, nine of the 14 entrants hail from the home country. João Ribeiro will arrive sitting second in the standings following an excellent start to the season, with back-to-back podium finishes in Hungary and Sweden. Others to watch include current Portuguese Championship Super1600 pace-setter Joaquim Machado and series regular Nuno Miguel Da Costa Araújo, who reached the final at Montalegre in 2021.

For more details about Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal, click here