The West region of Portugal is almost ready to welcome the best teams and riders in the national off-road scene for what is the last race of the championships, whether in cars, motorcycles, quads or SSVs. While the absolute title has already been decided in the two-wheeled category, in the other categories we still don't know who the 2024 champions will be. That's why the race organized by Escuderia Castelo Branco is even more important, as it will be the stage for all the decisions.
In the cars, João Ferreira and João Dias will be fighting it out between the two of them as to who will be the new Portuguese champion. Heading into the last race of the season, the two are separated by 20 points, with the Mini John Cooper Works Rally Plus driver having the edge. João Ramos, Gonçalo Guerreiro and Tiago Reis are also contenders for the outright win. In T2, Eduardo Rodrigues enters the competition to celebrate his championship victory, while Johanes Senders does the same among the T8 competitors.
In motorcycles, quads and SSVs, Baja Oeste Portugal once again has international status. In addition to the national championship, the event also scores points for the FIM Bajas World Cup and the Baja European Championship. In the accounts for the Portuguese competition, João Vale, Luís Fernandes and Rodrigo Alves could be champions. However, Vale is the one with the advantage, as he arrives at the Baja Oeste de Portugal in the lead of the championship. Before the clock starts ticking, he has a 17-point lead over Fernandes and a 20-point lead over Alves.
In the SSV category, there are six riders with a mathematical chance of becoming national champions in 2024 and all of them have confirmed their entry for the final event of the season. In this respect, Pedro Santinho Mendes is in the lead, but his advantage is minimal. Only one point separates him from the second-placed driver. Pedro Pinha, in third place, is four points behind and Sérgio Baptista, in fourth place, has to make up the eight points he's behind the championship leader.
The teams that usually compete in the Portuguese competition are joined by teams that are arriving in Torres Vedras - which is the operational center of Baja Oeste de Portugal in this edition - with ambitions for the FIM Bajas World Cup and the Baja European Championship.
Symbolic start in Torres Vedras
In 2024, the race that covers the demanding tracks of the western region of Portugal will have its operational center in Torres Vedras. The competition takes place over three days. On Friday the 8th, the first competitors enter the competition at 3pm, with the prologue. Also on that day, the symbolic start is scheduled for 8 p.m. in the center of Torres Vedras, next to the Church of São Pedro. The following day, the first stage starts for the motorcycles at 7.55 am, while the cars won't be in action until 2.20 pm.
In total, all the competitors, whether in cars, motorcycles, quads or SSVs, have almost 450 kilometers ahead of them, of which 292 km are against the clock. The only difference is in the order of the selective sectors. While the cars do the first sector with 114 and, on Sunday, complete 173 kilometers against the clock, the motorcycles, quads and SSVs do the same mileage, but in reverse order.
“Escuderia Castelo Branco and the municipalities of the Western region - Alenquer, Bombarral, Cadaval, Óbidos, Sobral de Monte Abraço and Torres Vedras - have renewed their commitment to this event, which is eligible for the most varied national championships and some international competitions, because of the way this sporting event has left its mark. The passion of the fans is really evident and we wanted, first of all, to give them the opportunity to watch some of their idols on such demanding tracks that continue to create great challenges for the competitors. What's more, we've managed to design a course that is the same for cars as it is for motorcycles, quads and SSVs, in what will be an equally demanding task for any competitor,” explained the race director for motorcycles, quads and SSVs, Sérgio Sequeira.
Automatic translation of the Portuguese version available on www.todoterreno.pt
Source: Escuderia de Castelo Branco
Photos: Rally-Raid Network / ImagensDesportivas.pt
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