Several hours into the race, thousands of vehicles were already occupying the accesses to the track located in the center of that town in the district of Porto, in a scenario that repeats year after year. Many spent the night in the surrounding areas in camper vans.

The 'invasion', as they say in Lousada, was expected and it actually happened, with a full house, also full of enthusiasm, watching the races that entertained the spectators, including motocross, off-road, classic and aerial acrobatics, until the arrival of the long-awaited cars of the World Rally Championship.

Many brought chairs, coolers and snacks to have a group picnic, in a festive atmosphere, for the hours that were left.

Manuel Dias, 60 years old, was in Lousada for the second time.

"It's a very good atmosphere. Lots of beer, lots of fun, lots of show. First the atmosphere, the friends and then the cars," he told Lusa, pointing to the crowd.

From Almancil, in the Algarve, came another spectator, 23 years old, who did not want to be identified, present for the third time in Lousada to watch the rally.

"I'm loving the beers and the girls from the north are great, they're beautiful," he joked.

Next to him was a lively and noisy group of female drummers, with about 20 members, dressed in costume.

"We are the Lousada Bombs, that's what the group is called, because we are bombs. We came because the rally needed some animation and we needed to put the drums in the sun and I think we are doing a good job," said Patrícia Silva, 39, laughing.

Another group of drums, not far away, was also noisy, formed by teenagers. Daniel Mendes, 17, from the Lousada a Rufar Group, said that the group's presence was to "make a lot of noise".

"We come here every year. They [female group] are teasing us, but we are better," he said, praising the "fantastic atmosphere" in Costilha: "This gives a very brave adrenaline," he stressed, applauded by his friends.

Further ahead, another group formed by teenagers from Lousada, who had free admission provided by the Lousada City Council to all secondary school students.

More extroverted, Cristino Barbosa, 16, said: "Here we only pay for the beer. This atmosphere is fantastic and the beers have to be controlled, without exaggeration," he added, promising that on Sunday they will be in Fafe, "because there is also a show there".

Luís Gonçalves, from Câmara de Lobos in Madeira, was celebrating his 26th birthday today. He had a flag of his island with him.

"There are 12 of us and we came from Madeira just to watch the rally, it's the second time," he commented, while admiring the crowd: "Here there is much more public, but the race we liked the most was in Góis, yesterday [on Friday]", he said, promising that on Sunday they will be in Fafe.

Another spectator, 56 years old, from São Pedro do Sul, was accompanied by a large national flag, decorated with bottles, which he said he had been bringing to Lousada for several years.

"Cars have been a passion for many years and I have even practiced pirate rallies. This year is being very competitive, there are more people" he said, saying that he will spend the night in Fafe, where he already has his camper van next to the emblematic jump.

The Spaniard José Luiz, 26, came from León, was accompanied by his girlfriend and brought a flag of his country.

He told Lusa that it was his second time at the Rally of Portugal, a country he has visited several times.

"Lousada is a very beautiful and spectacular race," he said, while saying he hoped that his compatriot Dani Sordo could make up for lost time and win this edition of the Rally of Portugal.

A short time later, the WRCs arrived, the engines began to roar, motivating the applause of the spectators who filled the amphitheater, with encouragement in several languages, especially Portuguese and Castilian.

The stage was set. The Portuguese anthem was sung on the circuit, a lot of fireworks were heard and, as the WRCs passed by, smoke was seen on the finish line with the colors of the national flag.