A lightning-fast 5.7 km prologue opened the competitive action of the 37th Baja TT Sharish Gin Reguengos de Monsaraz Mourão, an Alentejo classic organized by the Motor Sport Section of the Sociedade Artística Reguenguense.
With an FIA entry list boasting no fewer than nine T1+ machines, it was no surprise to see them dominate the front of the standings. Henk Lategan, South African champion in 2024 and Dakar runner-up, set the fastest time at the wheel of his Toyota Gazoo Racing. Just 1.2 seconds behind came Guillaume de Mévius in the X-Raid MINI JCW, co-driven by the legendary Mathieu Baumel, who made a remarkable return to competition just seven months after the accident that cost him his right leg.
An outstanding performance came from Gonçalo Guerreiro in a Polaris, clocking the third overall time and best among the SSVs, only 2.1 seconds off Lategan. Fourth went to American Seth Quintero, 2023 T3 World Champion, in another Toyota Gazoo Racing, followed by Portuguese stars João Ferreira (winner of Baja Aragón) and Francisco Barreto.
In the SSV category, Gonçalo’s brother Tiago Guerreiro and Briton Sean Haran (both Polaris) secured 7th and 9th overall. The Challenger class was led by Daniel Silva (8th overall) ahead of Pim Klaassen and Edgar Reis (all in Tauros). Among the T1 contenders in the FIA event, César Sequeira (Mercedes) set the pace, ahead of Miguel Casaca (VW Amarok) and José Rogeira (Ford Ranger). Saudi star Yazeed Al Rajhi, two-time World Cup winner and 2025 Dakar Champion, was the first to hit the stage but ended the day only 20th.
In the national competition, Daniel Pereira / Vasco Franco (Can-Am Maverick) set the best T4 time, edging out Spaniards Juan Gasso / Claudia Brotons in the G Rally OT3 (best T3). Sérgio Matos / Sebastião Dominguez (Toyota) led the T1s, Johannes Senders (Fiat Fullback Proto) topped T8, while Leonor Barreto / Carlos Silva (Nissan) were fastest in T9 and among the female competitors.
The 37th Baja TT Sharish Gin Reguengos/Mourão 2025 continues tomorrow with a double run through a 116.16 km selective sector between Granja and Alandroal.
📌 Source: SAR-Motorismo
📌 Translation & adaptation: Rally-Raid Network
The Baja unfolds in the heart of the Alentejo, a land of endless horizons, golden plains, and timeless villages where the rhythm of life slows with the sun. Reguengos de Monsaraz, known for its vineyards, ancient castles, and views over the Alqueva Lake, offers much more than motorsport thrills—it is an invitation to wander, taste, and dream.
If you want to dive deeper into the essence of Portugal, its hidden villages, flavors, and traditions, visit GuiaRural.pt — where the true soul of Portugal waits for you. 🌿🍷✨
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