"We are trying to sort out the details. We already have an agreement in principle [with the owner] regarding the core of the negotiation, now we are just assessing details of the urbanisation works budgets", stated Pedro Machado, in statements to the Lusa agency.

The mayor said he expects the negotiation to be concluded in the coming weeks, "once and for all", so that the acquisition of the track and the surrounding area (around 10 hectares) can be completed and the planned work can be started.

"It will be a huge area, but essential for us to guarantee what we have and to take a step forward in accessing other realities and other dynamics", he stressed.

The Costilha track, located in the centre of that town in the district of Porto, has hosted a super special stage of the Rally of Portugal, a round of the world championship, for several years, such as the one held on Saturday, with thousands of spectators.

For the mayor, "an investment like this that the council wants to make only makes sense if we create all the conditions to enable us to once again host these international events".

Pedro Machado, who did not mention the value of the planned investment, was referring, in particular, to the world rallycross championship, bringing back to Lousada an event that was held for several years at the circuit, then part of the European championship in the discipline.

For that to happen, he said, the municipality has planned to improve the circuit's infrastructure and accessibility, "because it is important for access to be smoother".

Investments are planned in the safety of the track and in the redesign of its layout, including its extension to the north, as well as a new 'paddock', with better conditions and larger than the current one.

On the other hand, the acquisition of the land will allow the local authority to provide new car parks and to create a new road, from the current bypass, in a north-westerly direction, with a bypass connection to the National Road 106.

The new accessibility, noted Pedro Machado, "will be a great help on race days, but also for the smooth flow of traffic in the town, on a day-to-day basis".

As part of the current negotiation with the owner of the land, a new urbanisation will be built in the area of the current 'paddock' of the track, extending northwards to the Pingo Doce area.

"It will be a way for us to guarantee the growth of the town in a planned and high-quality way", he concluded.

Read Also: Rally of Portugal: Crowd, drums, beer and flags in Lousada (Portuguese version)