Files
Release Date: 23 October 2026
PORTALEGRE, PORTUGAL – Polaris once again demonstrated its side-by-side racing authority at the historic 40th edition of the BP Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500 last weekend, securing second and third place in the overall final standings, sweeping both FIA SSV and FIM class honours, while also unveiling the all-new 275 HP Polaris RZR Pro R Boost for the first time in Europe.
Serving as round six of the FIA World Baja Cup and the seventh round of the FIA European Baja Cup, the rally played host to two days of demanding competition across Portugal’s Alentejo region. The event attracted an entry list of 440 teams, including a fiercely contested 85-vehicle SSV field. Polaris accounted for 20 of those entries across the event, with 18 RZR Pro R machines contesting the dedicated Troféu RZR alongside seven crews challenging national and international FIA T4 honours.
In the headline Auto category, Polaris crews delivered an outstanding performance against heavier, purpose-built T1+ prototypes. Gonçalo Guerreiro and co-driver Pablo Moreno drove a faultless race in their Polaris RZR Pro R to secure second place overall alongside victory in the FIA T4 class. Fellow Polaris crew Pedro Carvalho and Romeu Martins joined them on the overall podium in third, simultaneously locking out the top two positions in FIA T4.
Polaris achieved equal dominance in the FIM SSV category. Gonçalo Guerra and André Lopes navigated the demanding Portuguese terrain to claim class victory, closely followed by Pedro Pinha and Joaquim Dias in second position, who also took top honours in the Veterans classification. The pair mirrored their front-running form in the inaugural Troféu RZR single-make competition, taking first and second place respectively, with Pedro Antunes and Nuno Batalha completing the podium in third.
Alongside the competition, the event provided the stage for the European debut and technical presentation of the new Polaris RZR Pro R Boost. Two units of the 275 HP turbocharged flagship were showcased in the central paddock, supported on site by Nuno Fojo, Polaris’ International Product Marketing and Training Manager, who commented:
“To secure second and third overall against elite T1+ prototypes at an event as demanding as the 40th Baja Portalegre 500 is an extraordinary achievement. It demonstrates not only the outright speed and durability of the naturally aspirated RZR Pro R platform, but also the talent and commitment of our teams and privateers across both FIA and FIM categories.
Presenting the new RZR Pro R Boost alongside this competition was a proud moment. The enthusiasm from drivers and technical crews was immediate. With consecutive Dakar Rally victories behind us, performances like this underline the strength of our racing engineering as we prepare for the world stage at Dakar 2027.”
The results at Baja Portalegre reinforce Polaris’ position at the forefront of international rally raid competition, proving the endurance, chassis composure, and mechanical strength of the RZR architecture in high-level off-road motorsport.
With the European rally season drawing to a close, attention now turns to the 2027 Dakar Rally. Polaris and its factory-supported teams head into the world’s most demanding endurance race with proven mechanical reliability, seasoned crews, and competitive momentum.
Polaris Results Summary | 40th BP Ultimate Baja Portalegre 500
Overall Auto Classification (FIA / FPAK):
- 2nd: Gonçalo Guerreiro / Pablo Moreno (Polaris RZR Pro R)
- 3rd: Pedro Carvalho / Romeu Martins (Polaris RZR Pro R)
FIA T4 Category:
- 1st: Gonçalo Guerreiro / Pablo Moreno (Polaris RZR Pro R)
- 2nd: Pedro Carvalho / Romeu Martins (Polaris RZR Pro R)
FIM SSV Category:
- 1st: Gonçalo Guerra / André Lopes (Polaris RZR Pro R)
- 2nd: Pedro Pinha / Joaquim Dias (Polaris RZR Pro R)
Troféu RZR (Single-Make Competition):
- 1st: Gonçalo Guerra / André Lopes
- 2nd: Pedro Pinha / Joaquim Dias
- 3rd: Pedro Antunes / Nuno Batalha
Veterans Classification:
- 1st: Pedro Pinha / Joaquim Dias (Polaris RZR Pro R)
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including the industry-leading Bennington pontoon. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.
