A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO VILA REAL

The second round of the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade takes place this coming weekend at the 54th edition of the Circuito Internacional de Vila Real. Set on a legendary street track, the event promises fans another dose of thrilling racing action.

Back on Legendary Ground

The Vila Real circuit boasts a rich history in global motorsport, dating back to its inaugural race on 15 June 1931. Despite a few breaks - most notably between 1991 and 2007 - the event has maintained its iconic status across nearly a century.

Over the past 94 years, numerous renowned drivers have left their mark in Vila Real, including Stirling Moss, John Miles, David Piper, Teddy Pilette, Carlos Gaspar, Mário Silva, Francisco Carvalho, Pedro Salvador, Tiago Monteiro, and Yvan Muller, among others.

This year marks the return of the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade to the ‘Bila’ circuit after a one-year hiatus. The series brings with it the fastest and most exotic cars of the event, from brands such as Aston Martin, BMW, Ginetta, Mercedes, and Porsche, echoing the golden GT and prototype era of the 1960s and 1970s.

In 2023, José Carlos Pires and Francisco Abreu (BMW M4 GT4, Speedy Motorsport) took victory in Race 1, while Jorge Rodrigues and Patrick Cunha (Audi R8 LMS GT4, Veloso Motorsport) claimed Race 2. Patrick Cunha also set the fastest GT4 lap ever at the circuit - 2m02.852s - amid searing heat. It remains to be seen if that benchmark will fall this year.

GT4 Pro – A Tight Battle at the Top

Four duos are in contention for the GT4 Pro title as the championship heads to Vila Real. Mathieu Martins and Roberto Faria (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, Racar Motorsport) lead the standings with 41 points but face the challenge of debuting on the demanding street circuit.

Just three points behind are Francisco Mora and Francisco Abreu (Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal), both well-acquainted with Vila Real and aiming for the top step of the podium.

César Machado and Vila Real native Rafael Lobato (Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, Speedy Motorsport) sit third with 37 points and have the local fanbase behind them.

José Carlos Pires will be joined by Pedro Salvador for this round, forming a potent new Speedy Motorsport duo in another Toyota - definite favourites for victory.

Henrique Ventura Oliveira and Luca Savu (Aston Martin, Racar Motorsport) showed strong pace in the Algarve and could surprise, depending on how they adapt to the street layout.

GT4 Pro Bronze – Wide Open Title Fight

The GT4 Pro Bronze class is also wide open, with just seven points separating the top three.

Nuno Afonso and Alexandre Areia (Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2, Gianfranco Motorsport) lead with 41 points, closely followed by Bruno Pires, who will now partner Patrick Cunha in a Porsche Cayman CS RS (Veloso Motorsport) after racing with Mark Kastelic in Algarve.

Sérgio Azevedo and Orlando Batina (Toyota, Batina Racing) are seven points adrift but bring valuable experience on the streets of Vila Real.

Bruno Pereira will count on team-mate Gonçalo Araújo’s experience to help their Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO challenge for a podium.

GT4 Bronze – Too Close to Call

GT4 Bronze features one of the most competitive fields, with nearly all entries eyeing a prized Vila Real podium.

Vasco Oliveira and Francisco Carvalho (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO2, Racar Motorsport) lead the standings but are only six points ahead of Ricardo Costa (Mercedes AMG GT4, NM Racing Team).

The Nabais brothers, Miguel and André, are also close behind but are new to Vila Real - just like Oliveira and Costa. Francisco Carvalho’s extensive circuit knowledge could prove crucial.

Paulo Macedo and Luís Calheiros (Porsche Cayman CS RS, Veloso Motorsport) are eager to bounce back after a tough Algarve round and aim to kickstart their campaign here.

GT4 Am – Bastos Rezende and Vaquinhas Lead the Way

Pedro Bastos Rezende and Ruben Vaquinhas (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, Gianfranco Motorsport) were dominant in the Algarve and are the favourites in GT4 Am. António Lopes and Filipe Martins (Racar Motorsport) have shown solid progression and could challenge for the win.

GTX – Another Four-Way Fight

The GTX category promises intense battles, with four duos capable of taking the win. Portimão winners Pompeu Simões and Duarte Camelo (Porsche Cayman CS, Speedy Motorsport) lead the standings, one point ahead of Luca Staccini and Gracie Mitchell (Ginetta G55, Tockwith Motorsports).

Henrique Moura Oliveira and Rúben Silva (BMW M4 GT4, Monteiros Competições) impressed in Algarve but had setbacks, while Simon Moore and Thomas Roche (Ginetta G55, Tockwith) have the advantage of previous Vila Real experience.

Cup – Miritta Eyes Another Win

In the Cup class, it will be a Porsche 911 Cup battle after Protech Motorsport switched from a Ferrari 430 Challenge due to an accident in Jarama.

Reigning champion Rui Miritta (Monteiros Competições) leads the standings and starts as favourite, but team-mate Vítor Costa is also one to watch.

TCR – A Unique Challenge

For the TCR drivers, Vila Real offers something special: they’ll share the grid with the Kumho TCR World Tour.

Daniel Teixeira (Hyundai Elantra N TCR, JT59 Racing Team) is the local favourite, with track knowledge likely to be an advantage over series debutant Michel Fernandes (Peugeot 308 TCR, J. Santos Competição).

How to Watch the Races

As usual, the races of the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade will be broadcast live on DAZN Portugal and DAZN Spain, and can also be followed on Race Ready’s YouTube channel.

This time, qualifying on Saturday at 11:10 will also be televised, with live interviews on Instagram throughout the event.

Exceptionally, Race 1 will take place on Saturday at 18:10, and Race 2 on Sunday at 15:30 (GMT+1).