The Portuguese round of the 2020 World Rallycross Championship season at Montalegre has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
It comes one week after the previous season opener at Barcelona was also put on hold due to the global crisis.
“Due to the Portuguese government declaring a state of emergency and the suspension of all sporting events in Portugal in light of global health concerns regarding COVID-19 [coronavirus], this year’s World RX of Portugal on May 2-3 has been postponed,” World RX organizer IMG said in a statement.
“This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with the FIA, the Portuguese ASN and the local event organizer, as the health and safety of everyone involved remains the top priority.
“We are studying a viable alternative date for the event in conjunction with the local event organizer. We will provide further updates as soon as we have them.”
The popular Montalegre track is due to return to the World RX schedule this year as it was absent from the 2019 calendar, despite a multi-year agreement being in place.
As things stand, the season will get underway at Spa-Francorchamps on May 16-17, two weeks after the scheduled Montalegre date.
The Spa-Francorchamps date is set to be the season opener for the new-for-2020 Projekt E electric support series.
The RX2 category – which was on the bill for Barcelona and Montalegre – is now set to kick off at Hell in Norway on June 13-14.
