2007 Rally of Portugal - Preview

Rally Preview

For the first time since 2001, the Rally de Portugal is back on the WRC calendar. The very name of this former classic conjures up images of spectacular leaps over the Fafe jumps, massive crowds, hanging dust and thick fog that so often proved decisive over the infamous Arganil tests. For many years, the Portuguese fixture was a mixed-surface event before switching to an all-gravel format in 1995. Today, in their bid to retrieve their place amongst the WRC elite, its organisers have adapted their event to the modern template and, in 2005, after Lisbon and Porto, have chosen to move its epicentre to Faro, capital of the Algarve region at the southern tip of the country.

The return of this household name to the sport's premier series is a rew ard for the perseverance of the devoted Portuguese fans who were deprived of world class action for five years and who have long been renowned for the enthusiastic welcome they give to the rally fraternity.

The compact 2007 route features a classic format of one daily loop contested twice.

Friday's stages takes crews to the north-east of the Algarve Stadium service park, while Saturday's action will focus on the village of Almodovar to the north-west.

The third and

final day - due north of service - is the shortest of the weekend and notably includes the second attempt at the super-special which will run in and around the stadium itself.

Team-by-Team Preview

1. BP-Ford

2. Citroen Total

3. Subaru

4. OMV Kronos Citroen

5. Stobart M-Sport Ford

6. Munchis Ford

1. BP-Ford

After two victories and five other podium finishes with the Ford Focus RS World Rally Car in the opening four rounds of the 16-rally series, reigning manufacturers' champion BP-Ford has built a 15-point lead. Marcus Gr