The Portuguese circuit of Montalegre was packed with over 10,000 spectators – and they weren’t disappointed. The second day of the 2025 season provided non-stop action.
Open 4WD Pro // Nathan Ottink escapes the chaos
Despite topping all three qualifying sessions with the fastest times, Tommi Hallman failed to make it into the final Top 6 of the weekend. His semi-final exit mirrored the fate of several other top contenders, including Fraser McConnell, Tanner Foust, Patrick O’Donovan and Simon Olofsson.
Oliver Eriksson, who had secured pole position for the final, had his hopes dashed before the race even began when a broken driveshaft forced him to retire on the spot.
The final itself was marked by a spectacular crash by Casper Jansson after contact with Tom Van Den Heuvel and Elias Svensson. The race was red-flagged and only three cars were able to restart. Elias Svensson briefly led the race, but had to surrender the lead to Nathan Ottink after taking the joker lap.
Ottink, the reigning European Junior Autocross Champion, seized the moment and took his first career win ahead of Svensson and Jose Oliveira.
Open 4WD Pro Am // Jose Oliveira shines on home soil
After Nathan Ottink’s win the day before, it was Montalegre’s own Jose Oliveira who took centre stage on Sunday to claim his first win at this level. Driving a Peugeot 208, he crossed the line almost three seconds ahead of Nicolas Beauclé. Tom Van Den Heuvel completed the podium, holding off the pressure of Ottink until the chequered flag.
FC2 // Tommi Hallman gets his revenge
After a frustrating run of three races, Tommi Hallman finally turned things around in the fourth.
The Finnish driver, who had dominated qualifying, pulled away in the final to win by almost three seconds from Oliver Eriksson. Patrick O’Donovan secured the third step on the podium, beating the trio of McConnell, Jansson and Foust.
Supercar Lites // Tobias Daarbak lets it rip
Tobias Daarbak looked set for pole position in Race 1 after two strong qualifying runs, but Julien Meunier snatched it away at the last moment.
The Danish driver, who was only fourth in Saturday night’s final, made a strong comeback. He dominated qualifying and this time converted it into victory, finishing ahead of Meunier and Sergio Bello Alonso. Kevin Daarbak and Lukas Andersson completed the final top 5 of the weekend at Montalegre.
Open 2WD // Still no win for Tiger, Johansson gets his first
After being beaten at the last moment by Andre Sousa the day before, Simon Tiger saw his hopes dashed again on Sunday by arch-rival Viktor Johansson.
Johansson led from the end of qualifying to the chequered flag to take the win ahead of Tiger and Steve Volders.
Race 1 winner Andre Sousa had to settle for fourth place this time, ahead of the Bleasdale/Tohill duo.
However, Sousa quickly recovered to take his third win of the weekend in the Open 2WD Pro Am final, ahead of Jimmy Terpereau and Tiago Ferreira.
CrossCar // Alexandre Borges wins on home turf
Sixth after qualifying, Portugal’s multiple national champion delivered when it mattered most, taking the win ahead of Saturday’s winners Alexander Lindeqvist and Martin Juga.
Meanwhile, Kalle Gothesson made an impressive recovery from 17th in the intermediate standings to finish fourth, ahead of Gustavo Henriques and Sergio Castro.
CrossCar Junior // Carl Svedlund strikes back
With three fastest qualifying times in Race 1, Carl Svedlund’s overall performance was hampered by mechanical problems in the final.
Finishing only third on Saturday evening, the young Swedish driver managed to restore some order in the Junior category on Sunday, taking his second career win ahead of Iago Rodriguez Lopez and Oscar Fuertes Hernandez.