Portugal and France promise to put on a show at the 6 Cities North of Portugal Rally

The Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal, taking place from October 23 to 25, hosts the National Match Rally for the first time in Portugal. In this duel between national teams, Portugal and France each field four Rally2 teams on the gravel stages of the North.

It was a challenge extended by the French Federation of Automobile Sport (FFSA) to the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation (FPAK) and Demoporto, the organizing club, which was immediately accepted, according to Paulo Magalhães, FPAK Sporting Director:

“FPAK and its member Demoporto accepted this invitation from the French Federation. It is a new challenge, something with potential to grow in the future, and we hope more countries will join what will certainly be an added point of interest for the event, for the fans, and for the drivers themselves. It’s a challenge that will certainly turn into an exciting match between Portugal and France.”

The format was created in 2026 by the French federation (FFSA) and the Automobile Club d’Italia. It debuted in July on tarmac at the Rally di Roma Capitale, where Italy defeated France by 41 points to 24. The Portuguese edition is the second overall and the first on gravel. For France, it is another opportunity to give international experience to its young drivers — Pablo Sarrazin (Lancia Ypsilon), Léon Rossel (Lancia Ypsilon), Arthur Pelamourgues (Hyundai i20 N), and Sarah Rumeau (Skoda Fabia RS) —, according to the words of Pierre Ragues, president of the FFSA:

“It is a great satisfaction to organize this France/Portugal match. After the first edition, we decided to repeat this international operation, which gives our young drivers the opportunity to showcase their talent and level. I thank the Portuguese Federation, the organizers, and the partners, particularly Michelin.”

The Portuguese “national team” consists of Luís Cidade (Toyota GR Yaris), Guilherme Meireles (Skoda Fabia Evo), Pedro Almeida (Toyota GR Yaris), and Armindo Araújo (Skoda Fabia RS) Rally2, the fourth and most experienced driver on the team:

“I feel a great honor to be part of the Portugal national team. We know our team has a lot of youth; I am the driver with the most experience and I am in a very privileged position because I’m not here calculating championship points, so I can run at my own pace, completely unburdened and without pressure. I want to have a good rally here. Qualifying tomorrow will be very important, as the start order will be crucial on the first day. The stages are very well prepared, so I think it will be a very challenging rally in terms of driving, and we will be able to put on a great show.”

The match features its own classification parallel to the overall standings. Drivers run the rally as usual, and their results count toward their country’s selection. The event closes out the FIA European Rally Championship (FIA ERC) and serves as the penultimate round of the Portuguese Rally Championship.