The Montalegre International Circuit has affirmed itself as a world rallycross reference by hosting the RallyX Global Final on October 24th and 25th. The event brought together 77 drivers from almost 20 countries and attracted over 10,000 fans. Swedish driver Timmy Hansen emerged victorious in the premier category, FC1 Hypercar, in a competition marked by spectacle, emotion, and the historic debut of night races on the Barrosã track.
The event, which featured some of the best drivers from the RallyX championships in Europe, the United States, and Canada, provided two days of intense competition, consolidating Montalegre as one of the main international stages for the sport. Timmy Hansen, a former world rallycross champion, clinched the title in the FC1 Hypercar category, ahead of Finn Niclas Grönholm and Swede Kevin Eriksson.
The event also marked the absolute debut of Spaniard Dani Sordo in rallycross, after more than two decades participating in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The driver managed to win a qualifying heat on Saturday and finished the World Final in seventh position. The Portuguese representation also stood out: José Oliveira won the 4WD+FC2 Am category, and Leonel Sampaio achieved third place. In Sunday's competition, Joaquim Machado also secured a podium spot, finishing in third position.
In the remaining categories, the winners were Lukas Andersson (FC2), Lucas Gabrielsson (2WD), Hugo Lundgren (Crosscar), and Iivari Mannisto (Crosscar Junior). One of the most significant moments was the first night race in the 27-year history of the Montalegre International Circuit, held under artificial lighting.
After hosting the debut of RallyX in Southern Europe in 2025, Montalegre has now hosted the global final of the competition, reinforcing the municipality's international projection and its capacity to host world-class sporting events. The initiative is an important opportunity for territorial promotion, with thousands of visitors and consequent dynamism for the local economy.
The president of the Montalegre Municipal Chamber, Fátima Fernandes, highlighted the importance of the RallyX Global Final for the municipality's standing in international motorsport, considering the presence of top drivers "a great source of pride for Montalegre". She expressed special thanks to the Municipal team and the Clube Automóvel de Vila Real (CAVR), emphasizing the professionalism, dedication, and passion of everyone involved in organizing such a demanding international event. Fernandes also underlined the impact of these major events on the territory's promotion and economic development, stating that "a municipality in the deep interior... managing to maintain such a diverse agenda and attract thousands of visitors is a case study". She reinforced that the success of these initiatives results from collective effort and called for community involvement in valuing the municipality, reminding that "we have many reasons to be proud of our land, much to show, and also much to teach".
