It was probably one of the most dramatic events held by Algarve Classic Cars, Historic Regularity Rally, organized for 23 years by the Portuguese Classic Cars Club (CPAA) and entered in the calendar of the Portuguese Federation of Automobiles and Carting.
The program began late afternoon on Friday, July 10th, with the Casino Vilamoura circuit, integrated as the Murganheira Stage. Despite the heat, the public turned out in high numbers watching a great show with competitors as diverse as an Austin A35 with only a 850cc engine and, for example, the most powerful being the Porsche 911.
The overall event was divided into two parts; the Sportive Category with 50 cars and the Tourist Category comprising 70 cars; starting on Saturday with the Mercedes-Benz / Starsul Stage. This included a ramp at Cerro de S. Miguel, followed by various regularity tests, held in Olhão Municipality. This was followed by a mid-morning break at S. Brás de Alportel and onto Quinta do Lago, where the first stage ended.
The participants covered a total of about 86 kms, which with the hot weather took its toll on a few cars. After lunch, which was served at restaurant Bovino, the 2nd Stage designated as “Viborel” covered 53 kms ending at the Vila Vita Parc Hotel. The passages through Escanxinas, Boliqueime, Aroal, Malhão, Cerca Velha and Paderne, prior to performing a few more regularity tests gave extra work to the navigators and resulted in changes to the rankings.
Armação de Pêra was included in the 2nd stage and held at the now traditional “Opticalia Circuit”, and watched by many beach goers. Unfortunately following this Marta Queirós and John Serôdio with their 1973 Fiat 124 Spider 1973 retired due to mechanical problems.
This was followed by Schweppes Stage of 43 kms connecting Armação de Pêra to Vilamoura, with further regularity tests on the route. At the end of the day the weighted overall ranking placed the Ford team of John Barandas Vieira and Maria Teresa Vieira, in top position. A relaxing dinner was held at Puro Beach in Vilamoura.
Whoever thought the rankings had been decided after the first two days was in for a surprise. With the start of the Conrad Algarve Stage on Sunday morning, the competitors headed towards Karting Almancil, which was a real test in terms of final classifications. Certainly Team MG B, consisting of Adelino and Maria João Leite had some problems after this stage.
It was however, at a subsequent test held at Sitio da Picota, that the classification changed significantly, some cars being affected by the heat and mechanical problems. One dramatic example was a brake failure of the Ford Cabriolet 1931 crewed by João Barandas Vieira and Maria Teresa Vieira after a steep descent, which led to their retirement after a commanding lead, just 20 kms before the finish.
The event was eventually won by the Porsche 912, with Nuno Serrano / Bernardo Berardo, which they had also won some years ago.
Prize giving was held at the Conrad Hotel and Desiderio Silva Presidente of Turismo do Algarve presented the overall prizes.
Awards and Trophies
Avis Trophy - Best Female Team: Lourdes Silva Costa and Mariana Brízido - Porsche 964
Trophy Robalo & Macedo
Sports Route
Alfredo Pereira da Costa and Raul Pereira da Costa - MG
Tourist Route
Antonio Leal Pereira and Pedro Dias Costa - MG TF
Class Winners Sportive Catagory
C - António Viegas & Bernardete Viegas – 1930 Ford A Tudor
D - João Barandas Vieira & Maria Teresa Vieira – 1931 Ford A Cabriolet
E - João Castro Pires Maria & Teresa Romãozinho – 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
F - Nuno Serrano & Alexandre Berardo – 1968 Porsche 912
G - Fernando Santos& Ivo Tavares – 1982 VW Golf GTI
Class Winners Tourist Catagory
C - Vitor Simões - Ford A Phaeton
D - Albert Eberhard & Monique Eberhard - Mercedes-Benz 500 K
E - David Thomas & Jane Thomas - Singer Roadster 4AD
F - Pedro Barreto & Angelo Lage - BMW 1600
G - Rui Viana - BMW 635 CSI
Trophy Mercedes-Benz / Starsul
Tourist Route
Category D: Eberarhd Albert and Monique Eberarhd - Mercedes-Benz 500K
Category E: Altino Sousa and José Maria Alice Sousa - Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Category F: Paul Réfega and Ana Rosa Amorim - Mercedes-Benz 280 SE
Category G: Luís Simões and Luís Gonçalves Simões - Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
Sports Route
Category E: Helder Valente and Julia Valente - Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Category F: Luis Sequeira Fernandes and Maria Alexandra da Costa Jesus - Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Category G: Manuel Ferreira Marques and Maria Celeste Marques - Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
Special Mention: Eng José Mira: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
For more information please contact geral@algarveclassiccars.com.
