Three title contenders separated by one point in the last stage of the Clio Trophy Portugal

The first season of the Clio Trophy Portugal could not have a more exciting conclusion, with the three title-contending drivers ‘attacking’ the final event of the calendar, the Rallye Vidreiro – Centro de Portugal, separated by a mere point.

Danny Carreira, Gil Antunes, and Pedro Pereira Jr. promise a fight, down to the second, on the asphalt of Marinha Grande, Alcobaça, and Pombal.

The most accessible trophy of the national rallies is also the most contested in the 2024 season. The Clio Trophy Portugal has provided excellent battles, and the balance promises to continue in the decisive event this weekend at the Rallye Vidreiro – Centro de Portugal. Only one point separates the top three classified, with Danny Carreira and Gil Antunes tied at the top of the standings with 78 points each, and Pedro Pereira Jr. right behind in third place.

Young Danny Carreira has become the first (and only) driver to achieve consecutive victories in the Renault Portugal competition, adding the triumph in the Iberian leg in Chaves/Verín to the victory he had already secured in Castelo Branco/Vila Velha de Ródão. The 23-year-old driver, navigated by Marco Vilas Boas, is confident about the decision at Rallye Vidreiro – Centro de Portugal (see statements below).

Gil Antunes, on the other hand, started the season in the best possible way by winning the Rally de Lisboa and has consistently been in the fight for podiums, arriving at Centro de Portugal after securing two consecutive second places. The former national champion in 2-wheel Drive, accompanied by Diogo Correia, is a deep connoisseur of the Rallye Vidreiro, where he has competed with different models from Renault and Dacia.

Pedro Pereira Jr. and Tiago Silva have also been a standout duo in the Clio Rally5 trophy, winning the Constálica Rallye Vouzela and Viseu and already accumulating three podiums in four events. The Mealhada driver confesses that he enjoys driving in the rain (see below), and this could be important in the stages of Marinha Grande, Alcobaça, and Pombal.

Nuno Coelho currently holds the fourth place in the trophy but has the potential to surprise the favourites, as he has already demonstrated by stepping onto the podium in both Vouzela/Viseu and Chaves/Verín. The driver from Porto, once again accompanied by Ricardo Cunha, wants to confirm his good form in this season’s finale.

One of the youngest drivers in the Clio Trophy Portugal, Luís Caetano (22 years old), is on an upward trajectory and occupies fifth place in the competition. The driver from Leiria and navigator David Monteiro will try to match or even improve the fourth place they achieved in their last visit to the Central region, in Vouzela/Viseu.

Paulo Barata is also in direct contention with Luís Caetano for the final fifth place, in a season where the driver from Góis, navigated by Joaquim Alvarinhas, has combined consistency with increasingly interesting pace. The same can be said for Henrique Azenha and Henrique Marques, another duo that has evolved with the Renault Clio Rally5, taking advantage of the reliability of the Alpine Racing machine, which has so far shown an impeccable record of no withdrawals due to technical problems.

Dário Rebelo is back with the Clio Rally5 and the Clio Trophy Portugal, now with Alberto Silva by his side. The driver from Vieira do Minho will try to overcome the bad luck that affected his season during the inaugural Rally de Lisboa.

Does rain complicate the calculations?

The Clio Trophy Portugal season closes at one of the most emblematic national asphalt rallies, although the weather conditions may pose additional difficulties for the teams. With rain expected on Friday and Saturday, tire choices and risk management will be important factors in the decisive journey, organized by the Clube Automóvel da Marinha Grande. The Rally Vidreiro – Centro de Portugal, whose service park is located at the Alcobaça Business Park, will have a total of nine special stages – including a nighttime Super Special on Saturday – and 110.32 timed kilometres.

Rallye Vidreiro – Centro de Portugal Program

Friday, October 11

• Shakedown 10:30
• PEC1 São Pedro de Moel 1 (14.40 km) 14:30
• PEC2 São Pedro de Moel 2 (14.40 km) 17:00
• PEC3 Super Special – Alcobaça (1.50 km) 21:00

Saturday, October 12

• PEC4 Mata Mourisca 1 (16.47 km) 09:00
• PEC5 Pombal 1 (10.82 km) 09:40
• PEC6 Mata Mourisca 2 (16.47 km) 11:30
• PEC7 Pombal 2 (10.82 km) 12:10
• PEC8 Alfeizerão 1 (12.72 km) 15:00
• PEC9 Alfeizerão 2 (12.72 km) 17:00

Clio Trophy Portugal Standings (after four events)

• 1st Danny Carreira, 78 points;
• 2nd Gil Antunes, 78;
• 3rd Pedro Pereira Jr., 77;
• 4th Nuno Coelho, 57;
• 5th Luís Caetano, 35;
• 6th Paulo Barata, 32;
• 7th Henrique Azenha, 16;
• 8th José Pedro Quintas, 13;
• 9th Vasco Tintim, 11;
• 10th Carlos Marreiros, 10;
• 11th Dário Rebelo, 0.

Candidates indirect speech

I go to the Rali Vidreiro to win. The trophy is spectacular and very competitive, and this is an event that I already know from the last two years, except for one of the stages. My goal is to come in strong and see where we stand about Gil (Antunes) and Pedro (Pereira Jr.).

I have worked hard to reach this level, especially since I live abroad. I do not hide that winning the Clio Trophy in Portugal would be very important for me to continue my career. Above all, I hope it will be a great spectacle and that we can maintain a good atmosphere among all the drivers and teams.

Danny Carreira (78 points)

This rally seems very similar to the last years, so we are all on equal footing in terms of knowledge. The big variable will be the weather conditions, which will force us to make important decisions regarding tyre choices, in a service park in Alcobaça, which is still far from some stages.

And with rain, these special stages will be very complicated, especially in the Mata area. We have to be smart to not throw it all away. From my side, and to not depend on anyone, I have to win the rally and score at least one more point from stage wins than Danny (Carreira). That is what I will try to do.

Gil Antunes (78 points)

A fierce battle is anticipated. Both Gil, Danny, and I know what victory in this rally means, which is victory in the trophy. It will be a very difficult and challenging rally due to the unstable weather conditions expected. Tire choice will be essential for the result.

I am fully aware of Gil’s and Danny’s value as drivers; I know it will be a fight until the last meter; however, Tiago (Silva) the team and I have worked hard to be strong in Vidreiro. The wet stages will not be easy, but I feel good driving in the rain, and we will be ready to fight for victory.

Pedro Pereira Jr. (77 points)

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