FRONT-RUNNERS SET THE PACE ON OPENING DAY OF TESTING IN JEREZ

The Supercars Endurance began its weekend at the Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto with two intense collective test sessions that confirmed the extraordinary level of competitiveness among teams and drivers. On a technical and demanding track, lap times were tightly matched throughout the day, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend across both grids – GT4 and GTC/Touring Cars.

Measuring 4.428 kilometres and featuring 15 corners, the Andalusian circuit once again demonstrated why it remains a favourite among drivers, combining fast sections with heavy braking zones that test car balance and traction to the limit. The two collective sessions provided an opportunity to refine set-ups, explore tyre strategies and evaluate race pace, all within a highly charged competitive atmosphere.

GT4: Title Contenders Show Their Hand

The GT4 field in Jerez confirmed the balance that has defined the season, with the main Supercars España title contenders making their intentions clear ahead of Sunday’s decisive races.

Francisco Mora and Francisco Abreu set the day’s benchmark time of 1:51.004 in the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 entered by Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal. Just 0.122s behind, César Machado and Adrián Ferrer, driving an identical Toyota for Speedy Motorsport, underlined the strong form of the Japanese marque.

José Carlos Pires and Tomás Guedes, also representing Speedy Motorsport in another Toyota, were third fastest, 0.287s off the top and the quickest pairing in the morning session. Vasco Oliveira and Francisco Carvalho, in the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO of Racar Motorsport, secured fourth place and led the GT4 Bronze division, ahead of Álvaro Lobera and Gonzalo de Andrés in the McLaren Artura GT4 of McLaren Barcelona – SMC Motorsport, who completed the top five.

In GT4 Pro-Bronze, the fastest time was recorded by Sérgio Azevedo and Orlando Batina in the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 of Batina Racing, with a lap of 1:51.550. Among the GT4 Am competitors, the quickest car was the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 of Gianfranco Motorsport, shared by Rúben Vaquinhas and Pedro Bastos Rezende.

GTC/Touring Cars: Chefo Sport Petrogold Leads the Way

Chefo Sport Petrogold set the pace in the GTC ranks. In their Ligier JS2 R, Gabriel Caçoilo and Himar Acosta topped the overall timesheets with a best lap of 1:53.498, leading the GTX division. Pompeu Simões and Gonçalo Camelo, in the Porsche Cayman CS run by Speedy Motorsport, were eight tenths behind after a consistent day’s work.

Making his series debut, André Fernandes impressed at the wheel of the Porsche 911 Cup of AF & V Motorsport, securing the third-fastest time overall and showing strong pace from his very first laps. However, it was Rui Miritta, driving the Porsche 911 Cup operated by Monteiros Competições, who set the best time in the Cup division with a 1:54.264 in the morning session, underlining his determination to clinch the class title in the Supercars España.

The combined analysis of both sessions reinforced the dominance of the Chefo Sport Petrogold duo, as the same Ligier had already led the morning session, before improving its pace in the afternoon to secure the day’s outright best lap.

Among the FPAK Junior Team youngsters, the Ginetta G40 operated by Monteiros Competições and driven by Tomás Martins and Tomás Gomes was the fastest, with a time of 2:05.593, ahead of the identical cars of João Faria/Diogo Castro and Martim Romão/Rodrigo Vilaça.

Schedule and Broadcast

The sporting programme continues tomorrow, Saturday, with free practice at 10:05 and qualifying sessions between 13:50 and 14:50. The races will take place on Sunday at 10:05, 11:15, 14:30 and 15:40, each lasting 50 minutes (local time).

All races will be broadcast live on DAZN Portugal and DAZN Spain, as well as on the Race Ready YouTube channel, allowing fans to experience first-hand all the excitement, competitiveness and spectacle of what promises to be a captivating weekend of racing.