The day begins with the traditional pre-event shakedown, the final chance for the teams and crews to fine-tune their cars and the settings before the start of the competitive action.
Taking place in the Parades region and ending at the Baltar kart track, the manufacturer crews will tackle the short test from 07.30h with privateers starting later.
This will be followed by a ‘Meet the crews’ informal press conference at the Matosinhos service area at 12.00h, in front of the Michelin tyres truck before the more formal FIA press conference in the media centre, for the attending members of the press, at 12.30h.
The crews then have a couple of hours to re-fuel themselves and re-check their pace notes before moving up to Guimaraes for the ceremonial start of the event. Prior to an autograph session with the drivers from 17.25, there will be a medieval archery demonstration and ‘competition’ for the drivers and co-drivers to take part in, before the first car rolls over the ramp to official start the rally, at 18.10h.
From there, the crews will travel to the rallycross complex at Lousada for the first competitive stage of the rally, pitting cars together side by side around the circuit. The first cars will set off at 19.03h in front of a crowd of passionate rally fans, expected to number in the thousands.
Fans who cannot make it to Lousada will not be disappointed though, as they will be able to watch the action live in various ways, including on RTP1, the national Portuguese broadcaster, WRC Live and Red Bull TV. CLICK HERE for the full details on which of the event’s stages will be shown live and where.
Finally, the first crew will arrive at parc ferme at the event base at EXPONOR in Matosinhos at 20.00h.
07.30 Shakedown, Parades
12.00 Meet the Crews, Exponor
12.30 FIA press conference, Exponor
17.00 Archery demonstration, Guimaraes
17.25 Autograph session, Guimaraes
18.10 Official Rally Start, Guimaraes
19.03 SSS1, Superspecial Stage, Lousada
20.00 End of Day 1, Exponor