A founding round of the WRC back in 1973, Rally de Portugal is ranked as one of the WRC's classic events with challenging gravel stages to the east and south of Porto. Varying road surfaces and changeable weather add to the task facing crews. It’s also extremely popular among fans with enthusiastic spectators following the action in their tens of thousands. Sandy roads ensure grip is at a premium for the early starters during the first pass through the stages and the surface can degrade to unearth sharp rocks and deep ruts for the second pass. This often requires teams to raise the ride height on their cars to avoid mechanical damage. Over the years, the rally has received numerous awards, including ‘The Best Rally in the World’ (which it has won five times) and ‘The Most Improved Rally of the Year’ in 2000. Finland's Markku Alén and France's Sébastien Ogier top the roll of honour with five wins apiece.