In photos: Crazy fans, crazier drivers at World Rally Championship
This is the Rally de Portugal, round five of the FIA World Rally Championship. Who can drive fastest on any given road? Who is least afraid of the unknown? The Portuguese round of the WRC takes place over four days and 16 stages, each between 10 and 40 kilometres long. Cars race against the clock, starting two minutes apart. The fastest overall time wins. It’s the opposite of Formula One, with its millionaire playboy drivers, hyper-specialized cars and infinite budgets. Like NASCAR, rallying is motorsport for the people, but the similarities end there. Some spectators arrive on the mountain with their families early, camping with barbecues, elaborate tents, scooters, scaffolding, and generators (to run the freezer). Fans bring a bottomless supply of pork and beer. And they share it freely.
Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Fans getting ready for the Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Cooking during the Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Fans cheer on drivers during the Rally de Portugal.Matt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Fans cheer on drivers at the 2015 Rally de Portugal.Matt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Fans at the 2015 Rally de PortugalMatt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail
Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN), Miikka Anttila (FIN) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling
WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling
Sébastien Ogier (F), Julien Ingrassia (F) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling
Spectators are everywhere as the rally cars race down the dirt roads.
Sébastien Ogier (F), Julien Ingrassia (F) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling
Sébastien Ogier (F), Julien Ingrassia (F) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015
Sébastien Ogier (F), Julien Ingrassia (F) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling
Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN), Miikka Anttila (FIN) Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2015) WRC Rally Portugal 2015Bildagentur Kräling