The Portuguese rally season continues with the Casinos do Algarve Rally in the very south of the country, after almost three weeks have already passed after Fafe. Lagoa City will welcome 63 crews from different countries and one of those countries will be Lithuania. Martynas Samsonas will be back in Portugal together with Ervinas Snitkas to continue their plan to participate in 4 gravel rallies. A few weeks ago, the Lithuanians took part in the Ralli Serras de Fafe, and now they are heading to the Algarve to experience completely different stages. Their Škoda Fabia N5 will be looked after by a Samsonas Motorsport dealer and friend – Domingos Sport.
Like the Ralli Serras de Fafe, the Casinos do Algarve Rally is part of the Portuguese and Promo Championships as well as smaller cups. Martynas Samsonas will compete in the Promo Championship together with 12 other participants, 4 of whom drive the same N5 cars. The overall competition will come from the main teams in the Portuguese championship, such as Kris Meeke, Armindo Araújo and Ricardo Teodósio.
The action begins on Friday morning with a qualifying stage and three special stages. The competition continues on Saturday with six stages. The rally covers 104 kilometers of special stages.
The Casinos do Algarve Rally is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in Portuguese motorsport and has been held since 1970.
Martynas Samsonas and Ervinas Snitkas at Ralli Serras de Fafe