Almost 80 classics line up at the start of the ACP 500 Miles, one of the biggest regular rallies on the Iberian Peninsula. The caravan starts this Saturday on a route of more than 700 km to cover the EN2 in 16 hours.
On its way to two decades of history, the ACP 500 Miles returns to its original form and takes 77 teams to travel the longest road in Europe, Estrada Nacional 2, to cross Portugal from north to south. A challenge of more than 700 kilometres, between Chaves and Faro, in a rally of historical regularity that competitors must complete in around 16 hours, starting at 6:01 am next Saturday, in the city of Trás-os-Montes.
The 19th edition of the Automóvel Club de Portugal event attracted one of the largest entry lists ever, with 77 classics produced in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Among the participants, the oldest car stands out, a Jaguar XK 120 Roadster from 1952, one of the examples over 70 years old that will face the challenge of travelling the entire EN2. Another rarity in the test is a 1960 AC Aceca, another highlight in a diverse list that includes historic models from brands such as Porsche, MG, Austin Healey, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, BMW, Simca, Morris, Volvo, Triumph, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Lancia, Citroën, Toyota and Opel.
An odyssey from Trás-os-Montes to the Algarve
Competitors will compete in a total of 19 regular sectors, divided into two stages, requiring skill and precision, among some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. The gathering of machines and riders will take place next Friday, in Chaves, at the Nadir Afonso Museum of Contemporary Art, with the departure of the first competitor taking place on Saturday morning, at 6:01 am, at Km 0 of Nacional 2.
The competitors head south and pass through Santa Marta de Penaguião, Lamego, Castro Daire, Tondela, Sertã (lunch spot), Abrantes, Mora, Ferreira do Alentejo, Almodôvar and Faro, which marks the end of EN2, with the arrival of event taking place at the Porto de Recreio de Olhão, an Algarve city that will also host dinner and the awards ceremony.
In 2023, the ACP 500 Miles had excitement and indecision even until the last kilometres regarding the winners of each category, in addition to having registered a high percentage of competitors completing the race, attesting to the excellent preparation of the machines and teams.
In addition to being one of the largest and most important regularity rallies in the Iberian Peninsula, the ACP 500 Miles is also a journey of discovery of history and the territories crossed by National Road 2, a unique opportunity to see real-time machines on a challenging tour of the country.
ACP 500 MILE PROGRAM
April 19th (Friday)
03:00 pm / 07:00 pm – Checks – Keys – Parking next to the Nadir Afonso Museum of Contemporary Art
After the checks, the vehicles are on display for the rest of the day and night.
April 20th (Saturday)
- 06:01 am – Departure from Km 0 in Chaves for the first competitor
- 01:00 pm – Lunch at Sertã
- 09:38 pm – Arrival at Porto de Recreio de Olhão for the first competitor
- 10:00 pm – Dinner and prize giving – Olhão
PASSING HOURS
- 07:35 am Santa Marta de Penaguião
- 08:10 am Lamego
- 08:52 am Castro Daire
- 09:45 am Viseu
- 11:05 am Penacova
- 11:42 am Góis
- 12:30 pm Pedrogão Grande
- 01:00 pm Serta
- 03:00 pm Abrantes
- 03:45 pm Sunday / Ponte de Sor
- 04:38 pm Ciborro
- 05:30 pm Escoural
- 06:05 pm Turrão
- 06:22 pm Odivelas / Ferreira do Alentejo
- 07:23 pm Ervidel
- 08:00 pm Almodôvar
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