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João Ferreira (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) dominated the 39th bp Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500 and claimed his third win in the great classic of Portuguese cross-country rallying. The driver from Leiria won the prologue and all three selective sectors, finishing with a 10m18.4s advantage over Luís Cidade (Can Am), the best among the SSVs. Daniel Silva (Taurus) completed the podium and took victory in the Challenger category. Micael Simão (Gas Gas) won in bikes and was crowned national champion.
The second stage of the event, organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), included two selective sectors totalling 375 timed kilometres. The longest was also the most demanding, as the arrival of rain created additional challenges for the competitors across the rough tracks of Alto Alentejo and Ribatejo.
As in the first stage, no one managed to contest the dominance of João Ferreira (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo). “In the first selective sector it was difficult to keep the car on the road. The surface was very slippery, so we chose a more conservative pace. But I’m very happy with my performance. The SVR team did an amazing job. Toyotas had the reputation of not performing well in these conditions, and we proved otherwise,” said the winner.
It marked the return of traditional cross-country machines to victory, following last year’s win by a side-by-side, driven by Miguel Barbosa. Notably, the Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo was the only car from the main category to finish inside the top ten. This was Toyota’s fifth victory in the ACP event — and came 27 years after the brand’s first, achieved by Filipe Campos driving a diesel-powered Land Cruiser.
Luís Cidade (Can Am Maverick R) set the third-best time in the stage and climbed to second overall, also benefiting from the retirements of João Ramos and Gonçalo Guerreiro.“It was the easiest edition I’ve ever raced. We did an excellent job, and I dedicate this result to my family, who always supported me,” said the driver, who claimed his first international SSV victory.
Daniel Silva (Taurus T3 Max) was on the attack from start to finish, securing the final podium spot and victory in the Challenger category. “We had a good day. We lost some time to the T1+ cars on the fast sections but managed to be competitive in the twisty parts. It’s a traditionally tough race, and you have to manage your pace well to make it to the end,” he emphasised.
The second selective sector caused havoc among the frontrunners: João Ramos (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) retired with a broken suspension arm while running second overall, and Gonçalo Guerreiro (Polaris RZR) was forced to abandon with a broken suspension joint while lying third and leading the SSVs.
With this result, the battle for the overall national title will go down to the final round — the Baja de Lagos (21–23 November).
Source: Baja Portalegre /ACP Motorsport
Photo: ImagensDesportivas.pt
Luis Cidade, 2nd - Can Am Maverick
Daniel Silva, 3rd - Taurus T3
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