Former Euro RX favourite opens RX Portugal this weekend
new promoter in charge of Rallicross portugal for lousada's 66th event
by Rallycross World |
This weekend the Portuguese Rallycross Championship begins at Lousada. Between 1991 and 2008 the Eurocircuito de Lousada hosted the Portuguese round of the FIA European Rallycross Champiopnship 17 times; in 2007 Montalegre hosted the event as it has done each time Portugal has been in the FIA European or World RX calendar since 2009. Seven times Lousada formed the opening round of the European Championship, including in 2008.
Lousada, however, is still there and has remained active within the Campeonato de Portugal de Ralicross. This year RX Portugal has a new championship promoter and business begins this weekend at Lousada. This will be the 66th rallycross event at the circuit.
Ludvig Hunsbedt won the FIA European Rallycross Championship event in 2008.
Here’s a our pictorial lookback at the 2008 Euro RX event, the last time the FIA series appeared at Lousada. That weekend Norwegian Ludvig Hunsbedt (Bergteamet, Volvo S40) was the winner; 18 years earlier it had been another Norwegian, Hunsbedt’s friend and rival, Martin Schanche who had climbed to top step of the podium.
Before the days of control tyres, this driver had Michelin, Pirelli and BF Gooodrich in stock.And Avon (Cooper) was also there, of course.Lousada’s tree-lined paddock.The scrutineer’s toolkit. Drivers’ Briefing. Dress code, informal.The class of 2008. How many can you recognise?Kevin Procter took his Ford Puma to Portugal.The young Derek Tohill began his European adventure. Two titles would follow.The evergreen Roman Castoral (right) was beaten to Group N victory by Tom Kotek (left).Jussi Pinomaki won the Super1600 class in Lousada.Sverre Isachsen had yet to find his winning form Euro RX.Kenneth Hansen had gearbox problems early in the event.Kenneth Hansen, fuelled by bananas.We would rather play, if that’s okay with you, Morten!Hansen-built Citroen C4 for Russian Rustam Minnikhanov.Russian racers Shaymiev (front) and Minnikhanov (behind, left).Gutorm Lindefjell ran a Ford Focus Supercar.Things got difficult for Lindefjell when the car ate its transmission.Destroyed components in the ‘Schanche’ transmission system.Koen Pauwels raced a Skoda Supercar in Euro RX.Rene Munnich is one of few to have raced in the 2008 event who are still in action.Hunsbedt had the measure of everyone in Portugal.Michael Jernberg’s second generation Skoda Fabia.
