Tomorrow, Friday, begins another edition, the 56th, of the Azores Rallye. The rally organised by Grupo Desportivo e Comercial starts with the Qualifying Stage. In 2022, this qualifying stage will be held on the Lagoa Stage on a slightly different itinerary from the one used in recent years. The start will be as Free Practice in two passes, at 13:00. Qualifying, proper, will take place at 15:18.
The Qualifying Stage allows those who obtain the best times the primacy in choosing their starting order for the road, something very important in a rally on gravelt tracks and with the possibility of adverse weather conditions. This year, the top 15 of the 2021 championship, the top 15 in the 2022 provisional classification and FIA priorities can participate in this session.
The final Parc Fermé will take place at Praça Nossa Senhora da Graça, in Lagoa, the municipality that gives its name to this qualifying. The choice of starting positions for the first stage will take place at 18:00 at the race headquarters at Portas do Mar. In addition to the drivers who participate in the Qualifying Stage, the Lagoa Stage will also be used as a Shakedown for all competitors who wish to improve the setup of their cars, which will take place between 17:00 and 18:00.