February 23, 2026 – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal begins the 2026 off-road season at the Baja TT Montes Alentejanos, from February 26 to March 1, with João Ramos and Jorge Carvalho aiming for top positions in the championship’s opening round.
The Portuguese Off-Road Championship is about to get underway, with the Alentejo region hosting the first challenge of the year. Based in Beja, the event also marks the start of a new phase in TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal’s sporting program, whose main focus in 2026 will be the FIA European Baja Cup, while still maintaining a presence in selected rounds of the national championship.
João Ramos remains the benchmark of the project, one of the most experienced drivers in the discipline in Portugal. After a more demanding 2025 season than expected, marked by physical setbacks that prevented him from showing his full potential, the new campaign begins with renewed ambition and a strong desire to return to the fight for top positions.
The Baja TT Montes Alentejanos will be contested over three days and features a complete and selective route. On Friday, a 5.94 km prologue will take place at 4:30 pm, setting the starting order. Saturday will see the first stage, with a 169.95 km selective section starting at 12:30 pm, while Sunday’s second stage repeats the same competitive distance, also at 12:30 pm. In total, the event will cover 416.78 km, of which 345.84 km will be run against the clock.
Characterised by varied terrain, demanding navigation and high mechanical stress, the Alentejo event is traditionally one of the most comprehensive tests on the calendar, immediately challenging the consistency of drivers, co-drivers and machinery.
To tackle this challenge, the team once again relies on the Toyota Hilux T1+, an international benchmark in off-road competition. The vehicle’s reliability, robustness and competitiveness, combined with the team’s meticulous preparation, underpin the ambition to play a leading role throughout the season.
Confidence ahead of the season opener
Heading into the first event of the year, João Ramos expressed confidence in the work carried out during the off-season:
“It’s great to be back in competition after the winter break. Baja Montes Alentejanos is always an excellent stage to start the season, and this year we’ll face new challenges with our participation in the FIA European Baja Cup. This first event will be important to fine-tune everything, but that doesn’t change our ambition — we want to fight for the top positions.”
“We know the championship is becoming increasingly competitive and that every detail counts. We’ll give our best, put on a show for the fans and aim for a strong result right from the start.”
With an experienced crew, a consolidated project and clearly defined objectives, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal begins the season determined to establish itself from the very first round as one of the leading references in Portuguese off-road racing.
Source: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal
