Vitórias de Nasser Al-Attiyah na consagração de Portugal no todo-o-terreno mundial

Nasser Al-Attiyah (carros) e Tosha Schareina (motos) foram os brilhantes vencedores da edição de estreia do bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. Mais uma organização de sucesso do Automóvel Club de Portugal (W2RC), com a terceira prova do calendário do Campeonato do Mundo de Rally-Raid Portugal a confirmar o talento dos pilotos portugueses: nos carros, João Ferreira terminou num brilhante 2º lugar da geral; João Monteiro venceu entre os SSV; Armindo Araújo e Ricardo Porém terminaram nos derradeiros lugares do pódio da categoria Challenger; enquanto, nas motos, Bruno Santos triunfou na categoria Rally2 e subiu ao derradeiro lugar do pódio à geral; e Gonçalo Amaral ganhou entre os Rally3.

Portugal teve as honras de receber a única prova europeia do calendário do Campeonato do Mundo de Rally-Raid e que estreia: uma lista de inscritos com muitas das "estrelas" do Dakar; muito público; e uma prova pródiga em emoção e animação nas diferentes categorias.

Mais um grande e prestigiado evento desportivo com organização do Automóvel Club de Portugal que, durante praticamente uma semana, comunicou o país e, em particular, as regiões do Alentejo, Ribatejo e Estremadura espanhola, mas que também contribuiu com um significativo impacto económico.

Nasser Al-Attiyah ganha nos carros

O vencedor, nos carros, do bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal é uma personalidade ímpar. Com 53 anos e confesso apaixonado por Portugal, o príncipe do Catar é medalhista olímpico na modalidade de tiro e um dos mais bem-sucedidos pilotos de todo-o-terreno, com uma mão cheia de vitórias no Dakar. À chegada a Grândola, depois de cinco dias de competição e de cerca de 1.000 quilómetros disputados ao cronómetro, o piloto da Prodrive afirmou: "Portugal é quase a minha segunda casa. Tenho muitos amigos aqui e estou mesmo muito feliz por ganhar esta prova fantástica! Obrigado a todos os fãs e obrigado à organização. Foi uma corrida muito técnica e tivemos de ser inteligentes. Depois da vitória em Abu Dhabi, ganhar aqui é muito importante porque permite-nos passar para a frente do Mundial."

Mais do que uma promessa, João Ferreira é já um dos maiores talentos mundiais da modalidade. A forma como se bateu com Nasser Al-Attiyah e como se impôs ao colega de equipa na Mini, o lendário Carlos Sainz, é bem revelador do seu talento. "É difícil explicar as emoções que vivi ao longo desta semana. Recebemos um apoio incrível deste público único no mundo, numa prova muito variada e bonita. A tensão era alta porque havia muita atenção à nossa volta, mas correu tudo muito bem e confesso que não imaginava terminar no segundo lugar, na estreia com este carro no W2RC."

O brasileiro Lucas Moraes (Toyota) foi o vencedor da derradeira etapa, um resultado que lhe permitiu subir ao derradeiro lugar do pódio, por troca com Carlos Sainz. "Que grande luta! Em primeiro lugar, parabéns a toda a organização por ter conseguido montar esta prova. É muito importante termos o Mundial na Europa. Um pódio à geral e vitória nesta etapa são pontos importantes para o campeonato."

Carlos Sainz (Mini), bicampeão do mundo de ralis e quatro vezes vencedor do Dakar, foi o quarto classificado. O espanhol que nunca esteve na luta pela vitória, admitiu: "Foi um rali difícil, mas positivo. É sempre um prazer vir a Portugal, fiquei satisfeito por participar e recolher uma experiência importante. Gostava que a prova começasse amanhã, para experimentar algumas coisas, mas estou contente."

Depois do tempo perdido na fase inicial, o saudita Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Toyota)conseguiu recuperar até ao quinto lugar. "Apesar do azar que tivemos, fizemos um bom trabalho e divertimo-nos imenso. Obrigado ao público, que foi excecional, e obrigado à organização por criar esta grande prova!"

O lituano Rokas Baciuska (Can-Am) foi o sexto classificado e o primeiro da categoria Challenger, enquanto o brasileiro Cristian Baumgart Stroczynski (Toyota), Francisco Barreto (Toyota), Armindo Araújo (segundo entre os Challenger) e o argentino Nicolás Cavigliasso fecharam o top10.

2024 Dakar Rally overall standings after Stage 6

Ultimate Car

1. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 24h 59m 32s

2. Mattias Ekström (SWE) +20m 21s

3. Sébastien Loeb (FRA) +29m 31s

Challenger Car

1. Eryk Goczal (POL) 26h 52m 02s

2. Mitch Guthrie Jr. (USA) +1h 02m 18s

3. Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP) +1h 26m 34s

Bike

1. Ricky Brabec (USA) 27h 11m 21s

2. Ross Branch (BWA) +51s

3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA) +9m 21s

Published on Dezembro 20, 2023

Ten Best Moments From the 2024 Dakar Rally

The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally has been another entertaining affair so far in Saudi Arabia with the best global rally-raid drivers and riders going all out to win and keep their vehicles in the world's toughest race across the Middle-East country's arduous dunes and rocky terrain.

With Spanish legend Carlos Sainz (Ultimate), Poland's Eryk Goczal (Challenger) and American Ricky Brabec (Bike) all leading at Saturday's much needed rest day, here are the 10 best moments from the 2024 Dakar Rally so far with the race set to finish on Friday, January 19:

1) DAY 1, PROLOGUE: Fighting back from a big recent injury, Australian Daniel Sanders piloted his Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing bike to a prologue second just 12 seconds behind Spaniard Tosha Schareina. Sanders, who finished fourth overall as a rookie back in 2021, declared: "It was rough with so much traffic in front. I tried to follow the roadbook and just made one mistake near the finish."

2) DAY 2, STAGE 1: One family dominated the Challenger class with 19-year-old Eryk Goczal leading home uncle Michal Goczal and father Marek to park their MCE-5 Taurus machines at the top of the leaderboard. A little over 26 minutes back sits three-time quad race champion Ignacio Casale.

3) DAY 3, STAGE 2: Audi RS Q e-tron driver Stéphane Peterhansel powered to a record-equalling 50th stage win on four wheels to add to his 33 stage wins in the Bike class. The 58-year-old Frenchman, who equalled Finnish legend Ari Vatanen's car record, said: "It was a much better day than yesterday and it was a pleasure to drive. The settings on the car were really good and to take a stage victory is always nice."

4) DAY 3, STAGE 2: In the Bike class, Luciano Benavides showed the speed that saw him crowned the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship winner in 2023, thanks in part to winning the Desafío Ruta 40 in his native Argentina. The 28-year-old rode his Husqvarna to second place on the stage to break into the top five, just two seconds ahead of Sanders.

5) DAY 4, STAGE 3: Another mammoth challenge awaited with a huge variety of terrain covered on the special stage. One person who will not forget it in a hurry is Brazilian Lucas Moraes, who claimed his first Ultimate category stage victory driving the Toyota GR DKR Hilux with co-driver Armand Monleon. Moraes, 32, said: "I dedicate this victory to my daughter who has been in hospital the last four days, but now she's better. It was very tough for me being away from home but now this win means a lot."

6) DAY 5, STAGE 4: Birthday boy Kevin Benavides put together an impressive performance for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team as he piloted his bike to third on Tuesday, so he could blow out the candles on his 35th birthday cake placed fourth overall - 20 minutes and 39 seconds behind Chilean leader Jose Ignacio Cornejo. The Argentine said: "At the refuelling, I saw I had a big cut in my rear tyre, so that was a little bit scary. I took care of the problem and finally arrived to the finish."

7) DAY 6, STAGE 5: Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah moved up the overall Ultimate classification finally after he adapted to his Prodrive Hunter car and he banked his first Dakar stage win in the new vehicle on Wednesday, after he broke clear to win by nearly two minutes. The 53-year-old Qatari revealed: "Today, I knew I needed to win the stage."

8) DAY 7, STAGE 6: Thursday's leg of the all-new 48-hour Chrono Stage mixed up the order in the Ultimate category as Spanish legend Carlos Sainz went on the attack over the 250-metre-high dunes of the Empty Quarter desert. The three-time Dakar winner eased off on Wednesday to give himself a good starting position and it worked a treat as he passed main rival Al-Attiyah - who had opened the stage - and also claimed the overall lead after Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi barrel rolled on the dunes.

9) DAY 8, STAGE 6: American Mitch Guthrie Jr.'s mission for the second week is clear, chip away at the time that separates him from Challenger class leader Goczal after he held his nerve to finish fifth in Friday's stage - 22m 32s behind the Polish driver. Also looking to reel in Goczal on the way to Yanbu are Cristina Gutiérrez, Chaleco López and Austin 'AJ' Jones.

10) DAY 8, STAGE 6: It has been a determined effort throughout the first week by two-time bike champion Toby Price to stay in touch with the leaders. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider reached the Rest Day with a string of three top-five stage results to put himself fifth overall with half of the rally still to go, less than half an hour behind current leader Brabec.

Al-Attiyah to defend title at 2024 Dakar Rally in Prodrive Hunter

Five-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al-Attiyah will take on the 2024 edition of the world's toughest offroad rally race in a Prodrive Hunter when the race returns to Saudi Arabia next January. Here is all you need to know:
- During the past two decades, the Qatari driver has become one of the most recognisable and well-liked personalities at the rally with his 20th appearance at the race coming up soon.
- Al-Attiyah's first Dakar win came in 2011 and he followed that up with two more victories in South America (2015 & 2019) as well as 2022 & 2023 wins since the Dakar's switch to the Middle East.
- The 52-year-old not only has the chance to make it three wins on the spin, but he will also attempt to make the Prodrive Hunter the fourth different car that he has driven to victory at the rally.
- He declared, "The Prodrive Hunter is a sensational car. I think after three trips already to the Dakar and two second place finishes, now it's time for this car to win the Dakar. I want to make myself part of Dakar history and the best way to do that is to win with four different brands."
- Riding shotgun with Al-Attiyah at his four most recent wins has been co-driver Mathieu Baumel with the duo's understanding of each other seeming telepathic at times as the Frenchman reads the roadbook and Al-Attiyah steers them over the dunes.
- The pair's success has not been limited to the Dakar as they are also winners of the 2022 and 2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship driver and co-driver titles.
- Al-Attiyah's move to Prodrive continues the team's philosophy of bringing together the world's greatest drivers with one of the most advanced cross-country rally cars ever created.
- The Prodrive Hunter has been designed to cross any terrain at high speed from rocky roads to open desert, sand dunes and mountain passes while it is also powered by a new sustainable fuel - Prodrive EcoPower - which reduces its carbon emissions by 80 percent to help fight climate change.
- Sharing the Prodrive paddock with Al-Attiyah in the bivouacs of the 2024 Dakar will be his new team-mate Sébastien Loeb, who has finished as runner-up to Al-Attiyah at the last two editions.
- Al-Attiyah added, "This is the first time I will be a team-mate of Seb (Loeb) at the Dakar, but I already know him very well. He really is a great driver and the speed he has shown at the Dakar for these last two years has been incredible. I hope that one of us can win the Dakar in 2024."
- The Dakar's fifth edition in Saudi Arabia will get started on January 5, 2024 with 5,000 kilometres of racing distance spread across 12 timed special stages from the thousand-year-old city of Al Ula, crossing the country in the direction of the Empty Quarter and finishing in Yanbu on the shores of the Red Sea where the competitors will hopefully see the chequered flag flying on January 19.
- In addition to rally wins all over the globe, Al-Attiyah is the only Dakar driver with an Olympic medal after earning a bronze medal for Qatar in the men's skeet shooting event at London 2012.
- He revealed, "2024 is looking like a special year. Not only do I have the chance to go to my seventh Olympic Games, but I also have a shot at winning the Dakar with a fourth different manufacturer."

WRC Promoter aligns with UNESCO in its commitment to a more sustainable future.

WRC Promoter has pledged its commitment to the safeguarding of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) the first FIA championships and motorsport stakeholders to take this step. WRC Promoter joins World Rowing as the only sporting organisations having logged a commitment to protecting UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In 2022, WRC exemplified its dedication to steering towards a more sustainable future by becoming the first FIA World Championship to adopt 100 per cent sustainable fuels. This remarkable feat was coupled with the introduction of pioneering hybrid-powered Rally1 vehicles.

However, future-proofing rallying goes beyond more sustainable vehicles. With WRC and ERC events taking place in the natural environment, the practice of rallying holds a close connection with and an interest in securing healthy and well-preserved ecosystems, thus WRC Promoter´s commitment toward UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their outstanding universal value and foundation for ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.

In its capacity to formulate the WRC and ERC calendars, as well as its regulatory right of approval over event itineraries, WRC Promoter commits to not negatively impacting current and future designated natural and mixed UNESCO World Heritage Sites and their attached buffer zones.

Furthermore, by recognising both the potential negative impacts of sporting events and the ability of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to support sustainable development, WRC Promoter commits to implement, in current and future WRC and ERC events, a nature management tool – comprising of an impact and spatial risk assessment– when a competition activity takes place at a natural or mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site and/or their buffer zones.

Only competition activities at natural or mixed UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can demonstrate appropriate management against adverse impacts on their outstanding universal value will be maintained as part of the sporting itinerary of WRC and ERC events.

WRC Promoter also intends to raise awareness among spectators and other motorsport stakeholders on the importance and relevance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and encourage the wider sport sector to work towards avoiding negative impacts on these sites and their buffer zones.

WRC Promoter Managing Director Jona Siebel said of the commitment: "As championships, the WRC and ERC traverse some of the most diverse and unique places in the world, relaying imagery around the globe of the incredible beauty we live in. Protecting the outstanding universal value of UNESCO World Heritage Sites through best practices, and educating our fans is integral to future-proofing our sport."

For its part, the Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, commented on WRC Promoter´s pledge: "Protecting UNESCO World Heritage sites for present and future generations is a shared responsibility. We warmly welcome the landmark commitment by WRC Promoter, the first motorsport stakeholder to pledge for the protection of UNESCO World Heritage sites. By taking this commitment, WRC Promoter recognises its responsibility to ensure these unique but fragile sites are not impacted by their sports events. We hope that this commitment will inspire other sports stakeholders to take similar steps."

Head of Heritage and Culture at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Tim Badman added: "We are pleased that WRC Promoter is joining in the recognition of the shared responsibility in conserving the world's most iconic places. This is an important step for the motorsports industry and sports more broadly to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed without harming our heritage".

WRC Promoter will assess the necessary steps and work closely with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and its advisory bodies (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)) in order to expand its commitment to cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

WRC Promoter will work in synergy with all WRC and ERC event organisers in the implementation mechanisms of this commitment.

FIA World Rally Championship calendar 2024

25 – 28 January Rallye Monte-Carlo (Asphalt/Ice)
15 – 18 February Rally Sweden (Snow)
28 – 31 March Safari Rally Kenya (Gravel)
18 – 21 April Croatia Rally (Asphalt)
9 – 12 May Vodafone Rally de Portugal (Gravel)
30 May – 2 June Rally Italia Sardegna (Gravel)
27 – 30 June ORLEN 80th Rally Poland (Gravel)
18 – 21 July Tet Rally Latvia (Gravel)
1 – 4 August Secto Rally Finland (Gravel)
5 – 8 September EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (Gravel)
26 – 29 September Rally Chile Bio Bío (Gravel)
31 October – 3 November Central European Rally (Asphalt)
21 – 24 November FORUM8 Rally Japan (Asphalt)

Central European Rally (31 October – 3 November) will sweep across Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany as the penultimate round before the grand finale unfolds in Asia at FORUM8 Rally Japan (21 - 24 November).

Commenting on the calendar, WRC Promoter managing director Jona Siebel said: "We're eagerly anticipating another action-packed season in 2024 with a calendar that not only celebrates our esteemed traditions, but also propels us into an exciting future.

"Our return to Poland and our debut in Latvia underscore our commitment to delivering a fresh and exciting WRC experience for fans and competitors alike."

Every round of the WRC season will be broadcast live on WRC's groundbreaking new platform Rally.TV, as well as via traditional broadcast partners around the globe.

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is poised for another exhilarating season in 2024 after today's (19 October) calendar reveal.

In its 52nd season, the WRC will venture to 13 captivating destinations across four continents, delivering a perfect blend of tradition and innovation that aligns with rallying's enduring legacy.

The iconic Rallye Monte-Carlo (25 - 28 January) once again lifts the lid on the 2024 campaign, taking in the famous Col de Turini passes high in the French Alps which test drivers like no other. Following closely are the frozen forests of Rally Sweden (15 - 18 February), the only pure snow and ice fixture on the calendar.

A significant shift takes place at Safari Rally Kenya, which returns to a more traditional 28 - 31 March date, having run during June in recent years. This shift to Easter weekend will provide an even sterner test as it coincides with the beginning of Naivasha's rainy season.

Croatia Rally (18 - 21 April) has drawn in hundreds of thousands of spectators since its WRC debut in 2021. Its unique asphalt tracks based the around the capital of Zagreb vary from smooth to badly broken and are set to return in all their glory, as will the legendary gravel tests of Vodafone Rally de Portugal (9 - 12 May) – also a huge hit with the crowds.

Mediterranean charm awaits at Rally Italia Sardegna (30 May - 2 June) before the eagerly anticipated return of ORLEN 80th Rally Poland (27 - 30 June), back after a hiatus at the sport's top level since 2017. Poland's lightning-fast gravel roads promise a thrilling spectacle which will only be amplified further by the country's enthusiastic fanbase.

WRC is thrilled to welcome a newcomer in Tet Rally Latvia (18 - 21 July), located in the vibrant southern coastal city of Liepāja. Building on years of success at FIA European Rally Championship level, the loose-surface fixture underscores the clear pathway for events to ascend to the global stage of WRC.

Speed enthusiasts can look forward to the high-octane Secto Rally Finland (1 - 4 August), renowned for its jaw-dropping speeds and gravity-defying jumps. The excitement then takes a different form at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (5 - 8 September), offering a very different flavour with its winding, rocky mountain stages.

Once again, South America asserts its presence with Rally Chile Bio Bío (26 - 29 September), reaffirming the championship's global reach.

Published on October 29, 2023

O calendário arranca com o Rali de Monte Carlo, entre 25 e 28 de janeiro, e termina no Rali do Japão, entre 21 e 24 de novembro. O Vodafone Rally de Portugal, uma das mais emblemáticas provas do Mundial, abre a fase de terra na Europa (depois da passagem pelo Quénia, também em pisos de terra).

Grandes novidades no calendário de 2024 são a estreia da Letónia e o regresso da Polónia ao WRC. Para a FIA, "com os clássicos Monte-Carlo, Suécia, Safari, Portugal, Finlândia ou a Acrópole, os emergentes ralis da Croácia, Chile e Japão e os novos Rali da Letónia e o Rali da Europa Central, podemos esperar outra temporada de sucesso do Campeonato do Mundo de Ralis da FIA em 2024. Temos a garantia de uma boa variedade de ralis em quatro continentes e damos as boas-vindas a um regresso do desporto aos entusiásticos fãs da Europa Central e Oriental."

WRC Promoter appoints 11teamsports

Published on October 29, 2023

The recently agreed to strategic collaboration is set to elevate the FIA World Rally Championship's merchandise options and overall fan experience to an even higher level.

As a well-established German-based sports licensing powerhouse, 11teamsports boasts a comprehensive spectrum of expertise, spanning from product management to cutting-edge e-commerce solutions, personalisation offerings and seamless fulfillment services.

The partnership includes transforming the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) fan experience – ensuring enthusiasts on all corners of the globe are impeccably kitted out to embrace the exhilarating challenges of rally-watching across some of the world's most demanding terrains. It will also comprise the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the WRC Promoter's sister company World Rallycross Promoter, which holds the reins for promoting and marketing the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Of the agreement, Christian Terörde, Senior Director Marketing & Sales at WRC Promoter, said: "Side-by-side with 11teamsports and its 360-degree merchandise solutions we enter a new era of our licensing business. We are convinced that the rally ecosystem will benefit from this strategic partnership and that we can deliver great products and services to our fans."

Björn Endter, General Manager Sports Licensing 11teamsports, adds: "The WRC, as well as the ERC and World RX, are premium sports brands reaching and engaging millions of passionate fans worldwide. We are very excited to strengthen these brands with our omni-channel retail business solution by creating a unique and everywhere-accessible fan experience. We will serve motorsports fans around the world with a wide range of product assortment online and in service parks, assisting them in proudly showing their passion for this sport."

texto: Red Bull Media

20/01/2023

FIA confirmou o calendário de 2023 do WRC, existem diversas alterações em relação à temporada que acabou há umas semanas.