PAX Rally

A mistake from Carlos Sainz (VW Race Touareg 2) near the end of the last stage, when he could not avoid losing control of his VW, was decisive for the nearly impossible victory of Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi Pajero Evo) in the Euromilhões PAX Rally. The Spanish driver started the last day of competition - SS 6 with 68 km - with a tight advantage of 31 seconds over the Frenchman, but that "El Matador" had all the chances to manage and try to repeat his last victory in the Central Europe Rally. This victory was even more certain, when a forest fire, forced the Stewarts to neutralize the race at CP 1 (km 31). The SS was now shorter and could give Carlos Sainz the advantage he needed to win. But, against the odds, Sainz's VW rolled near the end of the stage, giving Peterhansel the chance to recover, which he did, adding 16 seconds advantage to Sainz. Luc Alphand (Mitsubishi Pajero Evo), closed the podium places, confirming the Japanese favouritism.

Nasser Al-Attiyah (BMW X3) was the fastest in SS6, offering the first win to the German Team that was eclipsed in the Euromilhões PAX Rally by VW and Mitsubishi.

The bike category, on stage before the cars, completed the full SS length (68 km). Ruben Faria (Honda CRF 450) confirmed his great form since the beginning of the rally, won again the leg, with 1.30 over his main opponent, beating "giants" Cyril Despres (KTM LC4 690 Rally) and Marc Coma (KTM LC4 690 Rally), representatives of the Austrian official team.

This is a dominating victory for the Portuguese rider that took full command of the SS's since day one and had only to manage the advantage he achieved day by day. Faria reached his goal while confirming that the results obtained in the last edition of the Lisboa-Dakar weren't a once in a life time achievement. Despres and Coma tried their best, specially in the first days of the competition, to keep up with Faria, but soon they understood that they had a hard mission to accomplish. The result of this dominance was a final advantage of over six seconds to favorite Cyril Despres. Third place went to Marc Coma.

In the quad competition, surprising but indisputable victory of Luís Engeitado. At his first big rally, that demands a lot of navigation experience during so many days, the Suzuki LTR 450 rider was far from being appointed as one of the favourites, but along the stages he became more and more unbeatable. Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS) was second and Rui Mendes (Suzuki LTR 450) third.

The Euromilhões PAX Rally comes to an end and for the record remains five days of emotion and intense battles until the end, exactly as the organizers wished when they assumed this challenge four months ago.

Last January, auto sports in general and all the Portuguese lived the frustration of the early end of the Euromilhões Lisboa-Dakar 2008. But while most people accepted this end with their heads down, others immediately draw plans to light up the flame of the adventure the puts man and machines face to the challenge of overcoming the biggest adversities, on a struggle that excites the planet since 30 years.

With the experience and success showed in past editions, it was inevitable that João Lagos Sports seek to bring again to Portugal the best of the world in cross-country rally. So it's with joy that we are here today presenting the result of this idea. The work was hard in the last months so that João Jagos Sports, with the support of Escuderia Castelo Branco - with 44 years of experience organizing cross county events - could draw the PAX RALLY, which will be held between 10 and 14 of September, connecting Lisbon to Portimão.

The PAX RALLY 2008 will host the national and international elite of cross country drivers, along with amateurs from different origins and sensibilities that wish to be present in a competition where challenge and demanding are trade marks.

The PAX RALLY is a cross country rally open to cars, motorbikes and quads.

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PAX Rally in Portugal, Dakar Series event, that will take place from the 9th to 14th of September, has already guaranteed the presence of three of the off-road official teams.

Two months prior to the event, Lagos Sports is pleased to announce the registration of three of the major teams involved in the international off-road events: VW, Mitsubishi and BMW. These top drivers will try to beat each other throughout the five especial stages of PAX Rally.

Portuguese top drivers, such as Nuno Inocêncio, Francisco Inocêncio, Adélio Machado, Hélder Oliveira, José Gameiro, Pedro Gameiro and Alexandra Gameiro are also registered.

Mrs. Joana Lemos, President of the Organization Committee, said: "We are working in order to put together all the necessary ingredients to bring an enormous show to all the fans of the discipline. We are proud not only for having the official teams, but also for having once again, the VW team present in a Portuguese event, something that does not happen for some time. We have also received the registration of top riders in motorbike category, such as the KTM official team. We are continuing to work hard with our partners from Escuderia Castelo Branco to ensure a great event for all".

Quality of Organization

A highly rich background standards organizing events of all kind like tennis, golf, sailing, horse-ridding, surf, beach-volley, and of course motorsports, is the guarantee of a well build race. Safety of competitors and public, different kind of terrains, good accommodation of teams e respect for the sporting rules are parameters of demanding witch J.L.S is used to match.

Promotion trough Media

The quality of the competition also guarantees strong media interest. The Legs of Dakar organized by J.L.S. in Portugal have taken to excitement thousands of spectators, in a "Media circus" difficult to match. Rallying is strong in images, so attracts large numbers of television viewers. Likewise, the press, radio and agencies, whether focusing on the drivers' experiences, or the fight to win the race, they are keen on covering events of each day of the competition. PAX RALLY 2008 will also capture this attention from public and Media, due to the names of drivers and teams that will be present, the spectacle of legs, and enthusiasm of spectators.

Presence of the Elite

PAX RALLY 2008 will have on is starting list the names of the most notorious competitors, between drivers and teams. The goal is to have in Portugal the biggest drivers and teams, that have contributed the most to the development of cross country rally.