Portuguese championship, Castelo Branco

Sirgado and Sousa picking the laurels at Castelo Branco.

The third round of the Portuguese Rallycross Championship took place on July 9 and 10 at the Eurocircuito de Castelo Branco in the Região Centro [Centre Region] of Portugal, not far away from the border to Spain.

While Opel campaigner Joaquim Santos set the fastest time in the first qualifying heat it was Peugeot driver Rui Sirgado who claimed the second and third runs to ensure himself the pole position for the A final. Then youngster Sirgado took the lead of the last race of the weekend, driving his 306 4×4 to an unchallenged victory. Runner-up became Miguel Abrantes in the ex-Anders Norstedt Saab 9-3, while Pedro Matos finished on third place, being hampered by gearbox troubles of his Citroën Xsara. Even lesser luck for Santos whose Astra H engine called it a day after two A final laps only.

Victory of Division 2 was grabbed by João Sousa with his Peugeot 306, ahead of Paulo Reis and his second generation Renault Clio. Young Rallycross girl Filipa Sanguedo could have been on the podium as well, but a mistake in the A final cost her the third place.

• Division 1 – Final Results:
• 1. Rui Sirgado (P) Peugeot 306
• 2. Miguel Abrantes (P) Saab 9-3
• 3. Pedro Matos (P) Citroën Xsara
• 4. Joaquim Santos (P) Opel Astra H
• 5. José Pereira (P) Subaru Impreza GC
• Division 2 – Final Results:
• 1. João Sousa (P) Peugeot 306
• 2. Paulo Reis (P) Renault Clio II
• 3. Rui Raposo (P) Opel Kadett E
• 4. Filipa Sanguedo (P) Peugeot 206
• 5. Nuno Ralha (P) Peugeot 206
• 6. Cátia Sirgado (P) Peugeot 106

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