RallySpirit: 10 years of passion

Text: organization 

Photos: Rui Reis 

When, 10 years ago, the name “RallySpirit” appeared on the national motorsport scene, it seemed to be just another rally. But, in the first year, and with a small starting list of 50 teams, the distinctive character was obvious. It wasn't just a race where legendary cars from the past and present coexisted. Everything that was breathed in that environment was different, above all, the emotional connection that was established between machines and people. With no restrictions on contact with drivers and machines, the public could now live and feel the history of rallying. 

Ten editions later, a lot has changed, but not the spirit of RallySpirit. After Miki Biasion (2016), Ari Vatanen (2017) and François Delecour (2018), this year it was Timo Salolen's turn to prove the event's “flame”.

As an ambassador, the 1985 World Rally Champion gave a good summary of what is already one of the most popular European Rally Legends and which, for this reason, has the honour of belonging to Slowly Sideways Europe: “40 years ago, all the drivers of the official teams were under great pressure because they all wanted to win and this tension seemed to be passed on to the public. But today, at RallySpirit, what I felt was something completely different. Drivers and spectators are very relaxed and this gives this event a very special atmosphere. Here, the past is in perfect harmony with the present and that made me feel very good, as I think anyone who comes to see this rally does.” 

And judging by the thousands of people who followed the event on the road, Timo Salonen is right. It was three days full of emotions, transformed into unique moments and memories that will remain forever engraved not only on the stretches, but in the hearts of those who experienced this rally as something that goes far beyond the competition.

The packed Porto Departure Ceremony (Thursday), the beautiful Terras do Bouro special stages that captivated all the drivers (Friday) or the spectacular qualifying-show in the style of a chase in Boucles de Barcelos (Saturday) are just some of the moments that became unforgettable and that, at the same time, increased the public's adrenaline. 

After all, it's not every day that you see the best rally machines of all time in action: Lancia Delta S4, Rally 037 or Stratos, Audi Quattro S1 E2, MG Metro 6R4, R5 Turbo and Maxi Turbo, Subaru Impreza 555, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo or Ford Sierra Cosworth, among ex-factory cars that were actually driven by drivers of the time or exemplary replicas today driven by “gentleman drivers”, magic was present in every moment of RallySpirit.

For Pedro Ortigão, one of the people responsible for XRacing, the event’s tenth anniversary edition went positively, just like the ten-year journey completed by RallySpirit: “The balance of a decade is very satisfactory. We have evolved gradually and in a sustained manner, and this year we had the largest contingent of international drivers ever. This proves that the rally is gaining a name abroad and it is with this strength that we now want to bring more and better cars. After having managed to put the much-missed Group B on the RallySpirit map, the next goal is to do the same with the WRC and S1600, which we know are also very appreciated”.

Competition for the most purists 

Even if the main focus of RallySpirit is not the fight against the clock, that does not mean that it has not also served as a tonic to increase the pulses of drivers who could not resist the challenge of competition in its purest form. 

After completing the 13 Special Tests outlined by the Santo Tirso Automobile Club (responsible for organizing the event), three teams were able to open the victory champagne. In the “Historic” Category, Rui Ribeiro/Pedro Fernandes were, from the beginning, the main protagonists, imposing the law in their Ford Escort RS MK II, finishing with a clear advantage over Pedro Silva/Joaquim Duarte, in an identical car, while António Carvalho/José Bilhoto (BMW 2002 Ti) completed the podium.

Also in the spotlight was the duo Rui Salgado/Luís Godinho, who repeated their 2019 triumph, but now in the “Spirit” Category. The Peugeot 306 GTI driver finished with a comfortable margin over the duo João Arantes/Bernardo Gusmão, who took the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, formerly the official Diabolique team, to the middle of the podium despite having to deal with several mechanical problems throughout the rally. After giving up on the first day of the race, Rui Madeira (Group N World Champion in 1995), accompanied by Paula Madeira, still managed to reach the podium. Finally, in the “Extra” Category, Vítor Pascoal/Ricardo Faria (Porsche 911) got the better of the also experienced Fernando Peres/Carlos Magalhães (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), in an exciting duel between Fuchs drivers. 

The curtain falls on the tenth edition of RallySpirit, but the next edition already has a date set. From June 4th to 6th, the magic of historic rallies returns to our country.