History 1990s

1998 Rallye de Portugal (Portugal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1998 Rallye de Portugal (Portugal)

Date: April 2–5, 1998

Start Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Finish Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Total Distance: ~1,480 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 387.00 km

Surface: Gravel/Tarmac

The 1998 Rallye de Portugal presented drivers with a mix of abrasive gravel roads and occasional tarmac sections under unpredictable spring weather. Colin McRae, driving the newly introduced Subaru Impreza WRC98, displayed his characteristic aggression and confidence, pushing through mud, dust, and split-surface corners to take a commanding win. The event marked an important rebound for Subaru after early-season reliability issues with their new car.

Route

Arganil: Famous for dense fog, narrow tracks, and huge crowds — a true test of commitment.
Mortágua: Fast, open sections broken by rocky ruts and elevation shifts that made pace consistency difficult.
Lousã: Long gravel stages with hardpack base and scattered tarmac transitions — difficult to set up for.

The rally’s stages unfolded across central Portugal’s rural hills and towns, with highlights including:

Mixed surface grip, alternating between dry dust and slippery mud, meant tire and suspension compromises were essential to survive and succeed.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Subaru Impreza WRC98
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC
3rd Place
Didier Auriol & Denis Giraudet · Toyota Corolla WRC

McRae’s pace and fearlessness stood out against the cautious consistency of his rivals, giving Subaru their first major win of the 1998 campaign.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Changes: Abrupt shifts between gravel, tarmac, and muddy corners made car setup a moving target.
  • Visibility Issues: Fog, dust, and rain plagued several key stages — McRae’s fearless driving shone under pressure.
  • Rough Terrain: The abrasive gravel took a toll on tires and undercarriage components, with many cars retiring due to damage or punctures.

Colin McRae’s 1998 Portugal win was a classic example of risk paying off. It also proved that Subaru’s new WRC98 chassis had the pace to challenge for the title in the right hands.

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