Ricardo Porém had good reasons to celebrate at the end of the 31st Baja Portalegre 500. For the first time in the Automóvel Club de Portugal event’s history a participant achieves four consecutive wins! Adding to that, the Leiria born also ensured his second National Off Road Title.
Marked by hard surfaces, the last round of the FIA Cross Country Rallies World Cup presented teams with a very different route in comparison to previous years. João Ramos was the first leader of the almost 500 km marathon. The Toyota Hilux driver was the fastest in the Prologue and in SS2, finishing the first day of the Baja Portalegre 500 with less than nine seconds advantage over Ricardo Porém.
However, the second day would prove decisive with its two stages. With more than 360 km against the clock, the margin between the two leaders was to short to manage. But it wouldn’t be long before Ramos handed over the first place to Porém. An electrical problem with the Hilux gas pumps lead to the Porto natural withdraw.
“This wasn’t the way I wanted to fight for the race, but I was much more relaxed after that,” admitted Ricardo Porém. Nevertheless, at the end the Ford Ranger driver was over the moon. “Another fantastic victory. It was a very tuff event, with very abrasive surfaces, but I am very happy. I am National Champion again. It was my fourth win in Portalegre; I am without words. It’s very emotional,” said the Portuguese driver at the end of the last stage.
Also on the rostrum, two foreign teams, both of them in X-raid’s Minis All4Racing. The Brazilian Guilherme Spinelli finish the Baja Portalegre 500 in second place, while Chilean Boris Garafulic was third, more than 17 minutes adrift from the winner.
Amongst T2, Rui Sousa celebrated his National Title with a victory. The Isuzu D-Max driver lead the most of the event, with César Serqueira being the only one able to offer some competition, but for a short period of time.