GTC/TC: PROTAGONISTS TAKE THEIR PLACE

The Qualifying session for the GTC and Touring Car categories of Supercars Endurance, held this Saturday at the Autódromo do Estoril, once again underlined the exceptionally high competitive level of this season’s final round, with the Iberian Supercars and Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade titles still undecided and only minimal margins separating the main contenders.

Qualifying 1 – Teixeira sets the tone

In the opening timed session, Daniel Teixeira again demonstrated why he is one of the central figures of this decisive weekend, recording the fastest lap at the wheel of the JT59 Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The driver from Murça topped the times overall and naturally led the Touring Car category, strengthening his position in the battle for the titles.

Second fastest was Rui Miritta in the Monteiros Competições Porsche 911 Cup, the quickest in the Cup division, confirming the strong form of the championship leader in both Iberian Supercars and the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade.

Immediately behind, Ángel Santos, driving the Chefo Sport Petrogold Ligier JS2 R, set the pace in GTX, in a session where the French-built cars once again proved highly competitive on the Estoril circuit.

Fourth overall went to Duarte Camelo in the Speedy Motorsport Porsche Cayman CS, also running in GTX, reinforcing his own championship ambitions. Completing the top five, Henrique Moura Oliveira, in the Monteiros Competições BMW M4 GT4 (F82), delivered another strong performance that keeps him firmly in the hunt for the GTX titles.

Also noteworthy were João Posser in the Veloso Motorsport Porsche 911 Cup—among the quickest in the Cup class—and Frederico Formiga, who posted the fastest time in TC at the wheel of the Art of Speed SEAT León Supercopa MK2.

Among the young drivers of the FPAK Junior Team, João Faria emerged strongest, ahead of Tomás Martins, while Diogo Castro was unable to take part after his Ginetta G40 could not be repaired in time following yesterday’s gearbox problems.

Qualifying 2 – No one could stop Teixeira

The second timed session again saw Daniel Teixeira as the outright reference. The JT59 Racing Team driver further improved his time and once more topped the session, consolidating his position as the man to beat in both of Sunday’s races.

Behind the Touring Car leader, Rui Miritta repeated his earlier result, placing second overall in the Monteiros Competições Porsche 911 Cup and again leading the Cup division—a clear sign of consistency at this crucial stage of the season. Third overall went to Gabriel Caçoilo in the Chefo Sport Petrogold Ligier JS2 R, giving the Spanish team the advantage in GTX.

Fourth place was secured by Chloe Grant, sharing the Monteiros Competições BMW M4 GT4 (F82) with Henrique Moura Oliveira, confirming the strong performance of the Anglo-Portuguese pairing as Moura Oliveira continues to chase his title ambitions.

Completing the overall top five, Pompeu Simões placed the Speedy Motorsport Porsche Cayman CS among the leaders, keeping the duo firmly in contention for the trophies that will be decided this weekend.

In TC, the Art of Speed SEAT León Supercopa MK2 again stood out, this time with Frederico Castro behind the wheel, recording the fastest time in the division.

Within the FPAK Junior Team, Martim Romão prevailed over Rodrigo Vilaça by a narrow margin of just three tenths of a second, while Tomás Gomes—like his teammate—did not take part due to the gearbox problems suffered yesterday with his Ginetta.

On Sunday, the competitive programme begins with the first race at 09:10, followed by the second race at 12:55 local time.