Round #1, scheduled for February 22–23 at the Baltar Circuit, is highly anticipated by motorsport fans. The new project promoter revealed more details about the “Arena,” the nerve center of each Rally Series event, which will include a special stage, a service park for the cars, and areas dedicated to spectators.
Designed with the public and the visibility of sporting projects in mind, the Arena will feature strategically planned spaces: the service park, competitive areas, and exclusive zones for fans, partners, and families. Comfort and accessibility, combined with the spectacle, form the formula guiding these events.
On the leisure side, the food area and FunZone will be located close to the service park and spectator points, ensuring everyone can enjoy the Rally Series action. Giant screens will also be installed to broadcast all moments of the special stages live.
As additional support for sporting projects and their partners, each Arena will include areas dedicated to brand promotion and the display of competition cars. A Networking and Hospitality space will also be available to host partners and foster development opportunities.
Supported by a graphic example, the Rally Series Promoter presentation showcases various food options in the FunZone, located close to the main stage and broadcast screens, as well as near the service areas, networking lounges, and promotional spaces.
André Lavadinho, promoter of the Rally Series, indicated that the project:
“represents a new vision for rallying, where we combine the excitement of competition with a fully integrated experience for teams, partners, and of course, the fans. The Arena concept is the heart of this project, bringing the public closer to the action and creating a unique environment that blends sport, leisure, and networking. We want to redefine how rallying is experienced, with comfort, accessibility, and world-class spectacle.”
The five rounds of the Portugal Rally Series will follow a base weekend schedule: Saturdays will be dedicated to morning training sessions and technical scrutineering. In the afternoon, the official Shakedown will take place before the focus shifts to fan interaction, starting with the Official Parade and culminating in each event’s Autograph Session.
On Sunday, the competitive action focuses on six special stages: four runs through the “Arena” stage and two runs on external stages near the event’s core. The weekend concludes with the usual podium ceremony, held next to the FunZone.
“With the Rally Series, we aim to offer a dynamic, competitive, and accessible format for all participants. The weekend structure has been designed to maximize track time and interaction between drivers, teams, and the public. We concentrate the competition into intense days, with a special focus on safety and spectacle. This is the next step in modernizing motorsport, without ever losing its essence,” described Emanuel Moreira, Sporting Director of the Rally Series.
The 2025 Portugal Rally Series calendar, to be announced soon, will feature five rounds held exclusively on either gravel or asphalt, with no mixed-surface stages planned for the inaugural year. Round #1, at the Baltar Circuit, will mark the debut of this innovative format and promises many updates leading up to its start on February 22.
