The Boticas event, organized by Demoporto with the support of the municipality of Boticas, returns with 82 pilots for what is considered one of the most emblematic challenges of the season in the JC Group Portuguese Mountain Championship. The Trás-os-Montes circuit presents 5.11 kilometers with an average gradient of 9.2% and a total elevation gain of 727 meters, having already hosted the European Mountain Championship and maintaining a special place in the imagination of Portuguese enthusiasts.
Several titles could be decided this weekend. José Correia starts as favorite in the absolute classification at the wheel of the Osella PA30, but faces strong opposition from Nuno Caetano, who arrives boosted by his first career victory achieved in the Furniture Capital, and from Hélder Silva, the current national champion who returns with an Osella PA21/S. Tomás Pinto arrives as leader of the Prototypes B and can seal the division title, while José Rodrigues can confirm the early renewal of his crown in the GT Category. Luís Nunes, undefeated leader in Super Challenge, should confirm in Boticas the eighth national title of his career.
The big news in the Tourism Category is the absence of leader and defending national champion Pedro Alves, which opens a huge window of opportunity for the remaining pilots. In Legends, the absence of João Pires substantially changes the design of the event, leaving the dispute completely open. Also in the 1300 category, leader Armando Freitas will not be present, which creates opportunities for José Carlos Magalhães and Diogo Marques, the latter after his first career victory.
The competitive program is concentrated over two days of intense action, with Saturday starting at 10:00 for two Official Practice Runs and the 1st Race Run, followed on Sunday by the third and final Practice Run and the decisive 2nd and 3rd Race Runs.
