This is because the accounts for the round of the Campeonato Portugal de Ralis (CPR) closed at the end of Friday and, for those who did not have mechanical problems or accidents, the option of doing the rally until the end is motivated by commitments to sponsors or, simply, by the passion for the sport.

"My main reason is because I really like rallies. I have not done the Rally de Portugal for two years and this time, as there was an opportunity to do so, and I was fifth in the CPR, I thought it made perfect sense. In addition, I am getting older and we have to make the most of it", said Paulo Neto, to the Lusa agency.

The driver who drives a Skoda, and who in the first special stages this morning was even competing with opponents who participate in the WRC 'masters' category until having a mechanical problem, acknowledged that this is a demanding event in financial terms, but believes that the effort "is worth it".

"I would say that most of the costs have already been accounted for. To continue, it is another six or seven tyres and a few litres of petrol. The team is paid, the registration too, For me, it makes sense to continue, also because we give visibility to the partners, as this is a rally seen by many people", completed Paulo Neto.

Hélder Mirada, who is at the wheel of a Peugeot 208, does not compete in the CPR, but has a regular presence in the Rally de Portugal, following with the objective of taking the car to the end.

"Those who like rallies always want to do the entire event. But my main reason is to pass through Cabeceiras de Bastos, which is my hometown and where my friends and sponsors are. This year it is on Sunday, and we have to take the car there", said the driver from Minho.

Hélder Miranda acknowledges that the task is not easy, not only because he catches the sections already very worn, passing after the drivers in front, but also because of the costs that four days of competition entail.

"Continuing is always more expensive. We have to add the expense of tyres, petrol, logistics, assistance and the wear and tear on the mechanics. We have to work to give visibility to our partners. We already know that it is difficult to appear on television, but showing our car on the special stages of Fafe, Cabeceiras or Amarante is always special", he completed.

Conversely, José Pedro Fontes (Citroën), who finished as the best Portuguese on Friday, opted, this time, to stay for the second day of the event, in a decision that he called "rational".

"If it were emotional, I would stay, but we have to manage priorities. Doing another day and a half of rallying represented about double the costs. There are other commitments", he said, resigned.

This account, of doubling the costs, is also made by Pedro Neto, who was the third best Portuguese driver on Friday, and fourth in the closing of the CPR accounts.

"The people [assistance] are already here, but it would be more tyres, petrol and, mainly, the wear and tear on the car, with another 200 kilometres of racing. In our case, it was not worth it", he said.

The driver who participated in the race at the wheel of a Skoda considered that if there were more media exposure, more brands would join the sport to support projects, pointing out that there is still some work to be done in this chapter.

"Both we, the drivers, and the organisations have to promote rallies more, trying to have more time on television. This is a saleable product and it can be better exploited. With more support, we might be able to do the Rally de Portugal until the end and show the quality of the Portuguese competing with foreign opponents. And, who knows, reveal national talents for the sport", completed Paulo Neto.