The provisional entry list for the opening round of the FIA European Hill Climb Championship in Boticas, Portugal on 8-9 May features the drivers and machinery of some of the favourites.

Demoporto, the organising club of the Portuguese round of the Championship, welcomed the end of the state of emergency in the country on 3 May, which could have curbed the intentions of some drivers to enter its event and make the journey. 

Noting a general improvement in the situation in the country, the Portuguese government is preparing to lift a number of restrictions. As a result, teams and drivers participating in international motor sport competitions on Portuguese territory will be granted special authorisation to cross the country's borders without having to comply with a quarantine.

Unsurprisingly, the list of the first entrants reveals the names of the usual duelists of the FIA European Hill Climb Championship, namely the Italians Simone Faggioli (Norma M20FC) and Christian Merli (Osella FA30). The Italian delegation also includes Diego De Gasperi (Osella FA30), Federico Liber (Formula Gloria C8P), Mirko Venturato (Formula Gloria C8P), Renzo Napione (Reynard 01L) and Antonino Migliuolo (Mitsubishi Lancer). The best placed to try to interfere in the eternal duel between Faggioli and Merli should be the Frenchman Sébastien Petit (Nova NP-01), while the favourites in Category 1 are expected to be the Swiss Ronnie Bratschi (Mitsubishi Lancer), the Frenchman Nicolas Werver (Porsche 997 GT2) and the Slovak Jan Milon (Skoda Fabia). Spain will be represented by Javier Villa (BRC B53) and Jose Antonio Lopez-Fombona (Lamborghini Hurracan). The final entry list will be published next week.

Due to the late confirmation of the event, entries for the Rampa International de Boticas remain open until midnight tonight