DANIEL TEIXEIRA AND MICHEL FERNANDES PLEASED WITH VILA REAL OUTING

Daniel Teixeira and Michel Fernandes took part in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour round at the Circuito Internacional Vila Real, competing within the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade (CPV), and delivered a strong performance during a special weekend.

Murça-born Daniel Teixeira, driving a Hyundai Elantra N TCR for the JT59 Racing Team, and Luxembourg’s Michel Fernandes, of Portuguese descent and behind the wheel of a Peugeot 308 TCR run by J. Santos Competição, were both entered in Portugal’s premier circuit racing series. However, thanks to an agreement between Race Ready, the Portuguese ASN FPAK, and the WSC Group, they were also able to compete in the top global Touring Car series while still scoring points for the Touring Car category of the CPV.

It was a memorable weekend, as highlighted by Daniel Teixeira: “It was a privilege to race alongside some of the best Touring Car drivers in the world. Even with far fewer resources than the works teams, being able to remain competitive — especially in Race 1 — is something we can truly be proud of,” said the JT59 Racing Team driver. He added: “The huge crowd gave us incredible support throughout the weekend — no doubt it's the fans who make Vila Real such a unique event.”

The reigning Portuguese Touring Car Champion finished the opening race in tenth, despite receiving a ‘Drive Through’ penalty for an incorrect grid position at the start.

In the second race, Daniel Teixeira encountered an issue with one of the wheels, which forced him to ease off the pace, eventually crossing the finish line in twelfth.

Despite the setbacks, the Portuguese driver showed strong pace, setting the fourth-fastest lap overall in Race 1 — the second-best among Hyundai drivers.

For Michel Fernandes, participating in the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade as part of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour field was the realisation of a dream.

In the first race of the weekend, the Luxembourg driver with Portuguese roots completed the fourteen laps in twelfth place, and followed that with a fourteenth-place finish in the second race.

At the end of the weekend, the 42-year-old driver — who began his motorsport career just four years ago — was thrilled with his performance at what he considers his home race. “The speed of these Touring Car drivers is insane. There's a downhill left-hander they take flat out at 235 km/h… I don’t have the courage for that,” admitted the woodworking business owner, who also raced at Vila Real last year.

Following this weekend’s race, the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade will resume at Jerez de la Frontera from 31 October to 2 November, but before that, the Iberian Supercars and Supercars España will be back in action in Valencia from 12 to 14 September.