The city of Guimarães will be the stage, from October 23rd to 25th, for the 6 Cities North of Portugal Rally, an event marking the municipality's debut in the prestigious FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). The official presentation of the event took place in the Salão Nobre of the Paços do Concelho, where the Mayor, Ricardo Araújo, highlighted the event's importance for the city's sporting and tourism projection.
Araújo emphasized that sport is "a lever to project Guimarães nationally and internationally", considering the competition an opportunity to attract visitors and demonstrate the municipality's capacity to organize international events. The rally will have its official start near Guimarães Castle, a night-time special stage on Penha Mountain, and the final podium at Campo de São Mamede on October 25th.
On the same day, the Paço dos Duques de Bragança will host the closing gala of the European Rally Championship, an event that, according to the organizers, will be broadcast to over 100 countries. Ricardo Araújo expressed his satisfaction with the choice of these emblematic venues, aligning "Sport with the History" of Guimarães.
The Councillor for Sport, Alberto Martins, described the championship's participation as "a very important milestone" for the municipality's promotion and its connection to major international events. He also highlighted the event's environmental commitment, with a tree-planting initiative on Penha Mountain on October 22nd, in partnership with the Irmandade da Penha, in the year Guimarães is the European Green Capital.
At the presentation, the event's technical director, Carlos Cruz, expressed his pleasure at the entry of "local people, from Guimarães", while Fernando Amorim, president of the Portuguese Federation of Motorsport and Karting, noted the satisfaction "of seeing the rally in Guimarães, the Birthplace City".
Friday's program, October 23rd, includes a parade of the vehicles through the Historic Center and an autograph session, before the official start, scheduled for 4:30 PM. The Monte Penha/Guimarães special stage will take place from 7 PM onwards, at night. The event reinforces Guimarães' connection to motorsport and the valorization of its historical and natural heritage.
