Heikkilä heads to Rally Portugal with Skoda's update package

Mikko Heikkilä’s WRC season continues this weekend at Rally Portugal. Heikkilä, who was in contention for the European Rally Championship ERC victory on Portugal’s gravel roads in 2023, enters the event equipped with Skoda’s new update package for Fabia RS Rally2. 

WRC2 driver Mikko Heikkilä and co-driver Kristian Temonen continue their WRC campaign this weekend in Portugal. Driving for the Finnish team TGS Motorsport with Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Portugal marks Heikkilä’s second event of the season, following his third-place class finish in the season opener in Sweden. 

“We’ve had a couple of good test days, and it’s nice to get back in the car after a while. Preparation has also included a lot of video analysis, as the route is practically the same as last year’s WRC round, with only a few exceptions. I’m feeling optimistic, and it’s great to head to Portugal,” Heikkilä says. 

Although Heikkilä is only familiar with two of the special stages in the rally, he brings solid experience from Portugal’s gravel. The puncture, which Heikkilä suffered from leading the rally in his 2023 ERC debut, doesn’t linger in his mind. 

“My experience in Portugal is limited to the ERC round, and from those stages only two stages on Sunday are the same as this year. I really enjoyed the ERC stages, and the upcoming stages should be enjoyable too. The team also has strong experience from previous years competing here. I haven’t built up any mental barriers coming here. The level of competition here is high, but I’ll let the stopwatch be the judge of that and focus on my own driving,” Heikkilä explains. 

Heikkilä’s Skoda, prepared by TGS, is also equipped with the factory’s new “Packet 25” update kit, which further enhances the car’s competitiveness. 

“The car has the latest Skoda updates, including modifications to the exhaust system and several improvements related to vital component protection. The only thing missing for this rally is the newest shock absorbers. The car felt very good in testing, and we trust it will perform excellently on the stages as well,” Heikkilä notes.

Rally Portugal will be held May 15–18 in the Matosinhos region. The rally includes 24 special stages and 344.50 kilometers of timed sections. The event can be followed live through the Rally.tv streaming service.

Rally Portugal schedule: 

Thursday 15.5. – 2,94 km

08:01 Shakedown – 5,72 km

19:05 SS1 Figueira da Foz – 2,94 km 

Friday 16.5. – 146,48 km

07:35 SS2 Mortagua 1 – 14,59 km                   

09:05 SS3 Lousa 1 – 12,28 km                           

09:53 SS4 Gois 1 – 14,30 km                              

10:41 SS5 Arganil 1 – 14,41 km                         

13:05 SS6 Lousa 2 – 12,28 km

13:53 SS7 Gois 2 – 14,30 km

14:41 SS8 Arganil 2 – 14,41 km

17:05 SS9 Mortagua 2 – 14,59 km

18:35 SS10 Agueda / Sever – 15,08 km

19:20 SS11 Sever / Albergaria – 20,24 km 

Saturday 17.5. – 122,92 km

07:35 SS12 Vieira da Minho 1 – 17,69 km

08:35 SS13 Cabeceiras de Basto 1 – 19,91 km

10:25 SS14 Amarante 1 – 22,10 km

15:05 SS15 Vieira da Minho 2 – 17,69 km

16:05 SS16 Cabeceiras de Basto 2 – 19,91 km

17:55 SS17 Amarante 2 – 22,10 km

19:05 SS18 Lousada – 3,52 km 

Sunday 18.5. – 72,16 km

06:43 SS19 Paredes 1 – 16,09 km

07:48 SS20 Felgueiras 1 – 8,81 km

08:35 SS21 Fafe 1 – 11,18 km

09:58 SS22 Paredes 2 – 16,09 km

11:03 SS23 Felgueiras 2 – 8,81 km

13:15 SS24 Fafe 2 – 11,18 km