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September 5, 1983 Baltar, Portugal
João Ribeiro
João Ribeiro began his career on two wheels, competing as a motorcycle racer from 1999 until 2016, when he switched to cars. He entered the Portuguese championship with a Super 1600 Citroën Saxo, becoming a four-time champion between 2017 and 2021. Ribeiro debuted in the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2020 and soon after, in 2022, missed the overall podium by just one point. Last year, he was only five points short of the championship title, falling that far behind Nils Volland. He collided with Volland in the final at Nyirád, and although he was the first to be flagged, he was penalized after the race and classified in second place. The Portuguese driver won the last two races of the past season and continued his winning streak this year in his home country. Although he didn't make it to the final in Höljes due to terrible weather conditions, he still heads into the Nyirád race as the championship leader with a one-point advantage.
