The only female driver currently entered in the RallyX Portugal event in Montalegre, Rafaela Barbosa wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to line up in the Open 2WD category behind the wheel of her Citroën Saxo VTS.
The daughter of multiple Portuguese Rallycross champion and former FIA European Championship contender Mário Barbosa, Rafaela will take advantage of the RallyX tour’s stop in Portugal this March to make her debut beyond the borders of her national series.
A rising star in Portuguese Rallycross, the 19-year-old made headlines earlier this year by winning the opening round of the national championship held in February at the Castelo Branco circuit.
Now preparing to face off against some of the top names in the Open 2WD class, the young Portuguese driver is brimming with excitement.
“This is a major step in my young career. Montalegre is an iconic track, known for its incredible atmosphere. I can’t wait to experience it all, learn as much as I can, and enjoy every moment,” says Rafaela.
With rallycross practically in her DNA, it’s no surprise that she’s following in the footsteps of her father, who won another national title last season in the highly local competitive Super1600/RX3 category.
“I’ve been watching my dad race for as long as I can remember. I grew up in that world. Even as a little girl I used to accompany him to the track and I’ve always been fascinated by the atmosphere in the rallycross paddock. That’s how my passion for this sport was born. I started out in karting, but I got the chance to step into Rallycross when I was just 13.”
Next weekend, Rafaela will be taking on the heavyweights of the Open 2WD field. Naturally, her modest Saxo, with just over 100 horsepower, may struggle to keep up with the high-powered machines boasting between 500 and 600 horsepower. But there’s no doubt that the home favourite will have the passionate support of the Portuguese crowd on her side.
“I know the Saxo isn’t the most competitive car out there. But for me this race is all about gaining experience. My goal is clear: to improve, to learn as much as possible and to finish each race stronger. Having said that, I’m a racer – I’m going to give everything I’ve got to get the best results possible.”
Focused and driven, the young driver is already looking beyond her RallyX debut.
“I won’t hide the fact that the RallyX could be a fantastic platform for my further development. My goal is to build a solid racing career in rallycross and climb the ladder race by race. I see this first contact with RallyX as the beginning of a new adventure – one that will hopefully open new doors for me in the near future”.