Round two of this year’s IRC takes place on the Rally Portugal, which is based in the Algarve city of Faro. The rally also contains the most impressive entry list yet to be seen on an IRC event, with former World Champion Didier Auriol amongst the leading entries and two-time World Champion Marcus Gronholm driving the zero car.

These top drivers have been attracted by what is well-known as a classic event. The Portugal Rally has formed part of the sport’s history over the years, and it is well-known for spectacular gravel stages, breathtaking scenery, and a warm and enthusiastic local public. In the past, the Portugal Rally used to be based towards the north of the country, in the city of Oporto, but for the last three years it has found a home in Faro.

The actual stages are top quality, providing a massively enjoyable challenge to all the drivers, with the surfaces made up of soft and loose gravel. There are not too many rocks, and the surfaces tend to clean moderately after the passage of the first car – making things fair for everybody. Although the summer months are almost upon us, the weather at this time of year in the Algarve can be unpredictable: two years ago the rally was blighted by thick fog. New for this year is a two-kilometre spectator superspecial stage around the streets of Faro. This new stage is compact but very quick, so is sure to provide plenty of entertainment for the many spectators that are expected.

After the initial taster, the opening day of real action will see the competitors tackle seven special stages on Friday, with two service halts in total during the day. Competitors return to parc ferme at 18:09, having completed the first 118 competitive kilometres of this challenging event.

The action resumes at 0805 the following morning, when the crews tackle a morning loop of three stages that is repeated in the afternoon, with central service at Faro stadium in between. The winner is scheduled to cross the finish ramp at 18:10 in Faro on Saturday evening. For more information about the event, including entry lists, maps and timetables, please visit: www.rallydeportugal.com

A measure of the quality of the IRC field can be seen from the fact that two-time World Champion Marcus Gronholm, who retired only last year, is driving the zero car! In total there are 30 registered IRC competitors, including 15 Super 2000 cars. The first car off the ramp will be Francois Duval, one of Belgium’s most promising young drivers and the winner of the 2005 Rally Australia. This will be Duval’s second outing at the wheel of a Super 2000 Abarth, having previously won the Condroz Rally back home in Belgium with a similar machine.

Another highlight of the entry list will be Didier Auriol: the 1994 World Champion who captured the record for the most number of victories in one season. Manfred Stohl – a regular World Champiobnship competitor who finished fourth in the 2006
series – will also be present. The Austrian will be making his debut behind the wheel of a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 machine.

Another well-known Austrian – Andreas Aigner – will also be taking the start in Portugal. Aigner – who recently claimed his first Production Car World Championship win in Argentina is backed by the Austrian drinks giant Red Bull, and he will drive a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer in Portugal. Some tough opposition will come from flying Finn Juho Hanninen and Italian ace Paolo Andreucci,  also at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer. Other local Mitsubishi drivers who are sure to be  strong include Bernardo Sousa (Aigner’s team mate on the World Championship) and the experienced Armindo Araujo: a former winner of the Portugal Rally two years ago.

As well as this incredible range of drivers making a guest appearance in Portugal, all the regular IRC competitors will be trying to make their mark. Luca Rossetti, who won the opening round of this year’s IRC in Istanbul (as well as Ypres and Sanremo last year) will be trying to extend his series lead on the Portuguese stages.

The regular Abarth team of Giandomenico Basso and Anton Alen are sure to be contenders for victory, as well as the Peugeot Belgium line-up of Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz. The team has an extra member in Belgium: Miguel Campos, who has a third factory Peugeot drive courtesy of the BFGoodrich drivers’ team.

Entry List:-

1  FRANÇOIS DUVAL
PIVATO Patrick FRA Grande Punto S2000

3 KOPECKÝ Jan
STARÝ Petr CZE 207 S2000

4 DANI SOLÁ
SANCHEZ Oscar ESP Grande Punto S2000

5 LOIX Freddy
BUYSMANS Robin BEL 207 S2000

6 BASSO Giandomenico
DOTTA Mitia ITA Grande Punto S2000

7 MANFRED STHOL
MINOR Ilka AUT 2007 S2000

8 AIGNER Andreas
WICHA Klaus GER Lancer Evo IX

9 MAGALHÃES Bruno
CASTRO Mário POR 207 S2000

10 LUCA ROSSETTI
CHIARCOSSI Matteo ITA 207 S2000