Portugal has government backing

Deputy prime minister of Portugal Alexandre Relvas has guaranteed funding for his country's round of the World Rally Championship. Talking exclusively to AUTOSPORT, Relvas, whose government offices are located in Lisbon, said he was delighted to see the support the Rally of Portugal was receiving at the opening stage around the streets of the capital. As well as being the deputy PM, Relvas is also the minister of sport, hence his interest in the country's biggest motorsport event.

David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch