At the beating heart of the 2025 Rally de Portugal, right in the middle of Exponor, Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal hosted a particularly emotional and symbolic moment. The team’s space, energized by Sports & You, was filled with longtime friends, admirers, and members of the press to celebrate the 75th birthday of Jorge Ortigão, one of the greatest names in Portuguese rallying and one of Toyota’s standout national drivers during the 1980s.
Surrounded by his two sons and an emotional crowd, Jorge Ortigão was surprised with a faithful replica of the Toyota Corolla GT Coupé he so brilliantly drove at the 1986 Rally de Portugal. That year, he finished an astonishing 4th overall, the best-ever result for a Portuguese driver in the event, and won the competitive A6 class, with Pedro Perez as co-driver, driving a car entered by Salvador Caetano / Mobil.
But Ortigão’s story with Toyota began even earlier. In 1980, after being left without a car to compete, he accepted the challenge to line up for Rally de Portugal in a modest Toyota Starlet 1000, in a move of sheer courage and passion that has since become rally folklore:
“The Starlet was more an idea than a real rally car, but I believed in its potential. Dr. Jorge Soares, Commercial Director at Salvador Caetano at the time, trusted me and said: ‘Take the car, but we don’t know anything about this, and we’re not officially involved...’ At the end of the Rally of Portugal, only seven cars made it to the finish. We were sixth. I called him right away and could feel the relief in his voice. It was an unforgettable moment.”
From that point on, a strong bond with Salvador Caetano was forged, lasting until 1988. He drove the Starlet 1300 (the legendary “yellow Starlet”), with which he exceeded all expectations at the 1981 Rally de Portugal, finishing 14th overall and winning his class. Later, with the Toyota Corolla GT Coupé in various configurations and evolutions, he left a lasting impression on the Portuguese stages, with consistent performances and a deep knowledge of the terrain.
Jorge Ortigão’s career began in 1973, when he won the Regional North Rookie title. Over the course of 16 appearances in the Rally de Portugal, he drove a wide range of iconic machines—from the Datsun 1200 GX and Opel 1904 SR by Arbo, to the aforementioned Starlet and Corolla—always with a determined approach and reliable performance. He also claimed victories in other prestigious events, such as the Volta à Ilha de São Miguel in the Azores, and was even featured in one of the stories in the Michel Vaillant universe—a rare honor for a Portuguese driver.
At the ceremony, visibly moved, he shared:
“I miss it a lot. This tribute was a real surprise. I knew I was coming here, but not with this beautiful spirit. I was already surprised by the Corolla outside, but I never imagined the incredible crowd that gathered for this occasion. I’m here with immense gratitude and a good dose of humility. Thank you.”
More than a deserved celebration of a remarkable career, this tribute also symbolizes the enduring connection between Toyota’s rallying history and its current success in the World Rally Championship. At 75, Jorge Ortigão remains a name spoken with admiration and respect—an eternal driver, as many in attendance put it, and one of the faces who helped transform our Rally de Portugal into a true national treasure of motorsport.