There are machines that never truly disappear. They may drop off entry lists, vanish from major events and end up stored away in workshops, warehouses or garages, but they remain alive in the memory of those who grew up watching them race. For years, they were a vital part of Portuguese off-road competition. Today, due to technical regulations and the natural evolution of the sport, they no longer have a place in current competitions.
It was precisely for these machines that X-Offroad was created.
Promoted by X-Adventure, under the aegis of FPAK, the X-Offroad Trophy by X-Adventure is exclusively dedicated to classic off-road vehicles that defined an era and, despite their competitive past, no longer fit within modern regulations. We are talking about models such as the UMM, Nissan Navara or Toyota Land Cruiser, to name just three examples of vehicles that were once regular fixtures on the stages and have now, with rare exceptions, almost disappeared from competition.
From a technical standpoint, vehicles eligible for participation may fall under classes T8, T9, T0 and TA, in accordance with Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the Technical Regulations of the Portuguese Off-Road Championship.
The idea of creating a competition of this kind is not new. X-Offroad has been a project in development for several years, finally taking shape in 2025 with the organisation of a first test event. This event allowed the concept to be put into practice, evaluated in real conditions, and confirmed that the foundations were in place to take the next step.
What followed was a period of quiet but demanding work, involving analysis, discussions and preparation, with a clear objective: to transform a good idea into a structured trophy with its own calendar and multiple events throughout the year.
That step has now been taken.
The X-Offroad Trophy by X-Adventure kicks off in 2026 with a first edition consisting of four events, maintaining a formula designed to be simple, accessible and as free of bureaucracy as possible. While the competitive spirit is naturally present, the organisers also aim for this trophy to serve as a platform for promoting the sport, reconnecting machines and drivers, and fostering camaraderie among teams, preparers and enthusiasts.
As the official regulations — particularly the Sporting Regulations — have not yet been published, it is not possible to detail all aspects of the competitive format. However, the organisation can already outline some guiding principles.
The intention is for events to take place on closed circuits, preferably within private venues or, where necessary, on public roads properly closed to traffic. Each course is expected to have a maximum length between 8 and 20 kilometres per lap.
The tracks will be run on dirt, aiming to replicate as closely as possible the typical environment of off-road events, including the natural elements that define the discipline. Final classification will primarily be determined by the total number of laps completed and then by the cumulative time achieved on each lap — in simple terms, the winner is the one who completes the most laps in the shortest time.
Inaugural calendar takes the trophy from Mangualde to Porto Santo
The first edition of the X-Offroad Trophy by X-Adventure features a four-event calendar across very distinct settings. From inland circuits to the open landscapes of Alentejo, from terrain rich in motorsport heritage to a final round on an unusual island stage, the trophy debuts with a route designed to highlight both the identity of these machines and the diversity of the terrain.
The opening round will take place in Mangualde on May 16, marking also the northernmost event on the calendar. In a region of more rugged terrain, with fast and spectacular tracks set within a striking natural landscape, this round will officially launch the new trophy.
The second round is scheduled for June 27 in Elvas, in an atmosphere reminiscent of many classic summer off-road events. Here, the setting changes completely: away from the mountains and onto more open terrain, the event promises to be highly competitive in a region with strong off-road tradition and a passionate fan base on both sides of the border.
After the summer break, the trophy returns to territory well known to many of these vehicles. On September 12, the competition heads to Alter do Chão, more specifically the area surrounding the village of Cunheira. For many of these machines, this round will carry special meaning, as they have raced on these tracks countless times, particularly during the years they shone in major national events, including several editions of the Baja Portalegre.
The season concludes on November 21 with a round that represents the opposite of familiar ground: a true adventure in unexpected territory. The trophy travels to the island of Porto Santo, one of the most unique settings in Portuguese motorsport. An off-road race on this island is a rare occurrence and, for that very reason, promises to be as distinctive as it is memorable.
For X-Adventure, “It is with great satisfaction that we finally see a long-held dream come to life: bringing X-Offroad onto the field as a true trophy with multiple events throughout the year. It was a demanding process and not always an easy one, but thanks to strong cooperation with drivers and teams, our partners and also FPAK, it was possible to move forward and turn this idea into reality. We now hope that many of the vehicles currently gathering dust in warehouses, workshops and garages across the country will finally return to the dirt. Their time is not over yet — and X-Offroad was created precisely to give them back the place they deserve.”
Full details of the new trophy will be published soon on the official competition website.
The X-Offroad Trophy by X-Adventure is promoted by X-Adventure, under the aegis of FPAK, with the support of Todoterreno.pt and Rally-Raid Network.
CALENDAR – X-OFFROAD TROPHY BY X-ADVENTURE 2026
May 16 – Mangualde
June 27 – Elvas
September 12 – Alter do Chão
November 21 – Porto Santo
Info: The Rally-Raid Network is part of the new and exciting project since day 1. If you have any questions, please fell free to contact us.
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