Over the course of two days, the event will be on the roads of the municipalities of Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra, Vila Franca de Xira, Alenquer, Cadaval, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Arruba dos Vinhos.

José Pedro Fontes (Citröen C3 Rally2) and Spaniard Diego Ruiloba (Citröen C3 Rally2) head the list, joined by André Cabeças (Ford Fiesta R5) and Paulo Caldeira (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo).

The holder of the trophy, Armindo Araújo, will be absent this weekend as he is taking part in the Baja TT Norte de Portugal, part of the Portuguese Off-Road Championship.

“I can’t hide the fact that our expectations were for a larger entry list, particularly in terms of Rally2 drivers, but the truth is that there are situations that we can’t control. And there were a number of things that went against our ambitions, but that won’t stop us from having a good rally”, said Humberto Silva, president of the CPKA, who is organising the event.

There are four mono-brand trophies on the entry list, including the start of the Clio Trophy Portugal, which will use the Clio Rally5, and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Iberian Cup (TBRIC), which will have its fourth event of the season.

The trophy organised by the Renault Group (Portugal), which kicks off at the Lisbon | Joaquim Santos Memorial Rally for a schedule of five rallies on asphalt surfaces, featuring 11 teams, plus eight drivers from the Clio Trophy Spain. Another novelty will be the five Dacia Sandero Stepway drivers competing in the Sandero Eco Cup Spain.

For the second consecutive year in Lisbon, the TGRIC will have nine teams in this fourth round of the season, with young Bolivian Bruno Bulacia the current leader, seven points ahead of Asturian Javier Villa, with Portuguese veteran Miguel Campos in third place.

The race begins with five stages on Friday, in Mafra (6.37km), starting at 4.8pm, Arranhó (9.22km), Vila Franca de Xira (5.90km), Alenquer (16.23km) and Montejunto (8.92km), at 6.18pm.

The podium ceremony takes place next to the Monument of Discoveries at 6.18 pm.