TALES FROM THE VALENCIA PADDOCK

The Supercars Endurance round held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo had plenty of action not only on track but also behind the scenes in the paddock, where there was no shortage of stories sparking conversations. Here are some of the highlights.

 Gianfranco Motorsport Returns to Winning Ways

Gianfranco Motorsport added another important chapter to its history by taking overall victory in the first race of the Valencia round of the Supercars Endurance, a scoring event for both the Iberian Supercars and Supercars España.

In their debut season in the championship, the Portuguese team, which fields three cars on their debut season, secured its first outright win thanks to the pairing of Nuno Afonso and Alexandre Areia, who steered the #44 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 to an overall victory, confirming the potential they had been showing throughout the year.

This triumph further cements Gianfranco Motorsport’s status as a historic name in Iberian motorsport and keeps the excitement alive in the GT4 Pro-Bronze fight, one of the most closely matched and competitive classes in the field.

A Talent from the Snow

The debut of Kyam Potez in the Iberian Supercars was one of the standout moments of the Valencia weekend. At just 16 years old, the young driver lined up with Lema Racing, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT4, showing both speed and consistency. His performances earned him second place in GT4 Bronze in the second race, claiming one podium on his very first outing.

Unusually, Potez never raced in karting. Instead, he started his competitive career on snowmobiles before trying a race car for the first time only a few months ago. This off-road background has given him exceptional car control and a rare blend of sensitivity and aggression – qualities that shone through at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

His path is reminiscent of Gilles Villeneuve, who also began racing snowmobiles before becoming a Formula 1 legend.

Big Crowd in Valencia

On Sunday, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo welcomed over 5,000 spectators, who braved the intense heat throughout the day. The main grandstand was packed, and the paddock was buzzing, reflecting the growing popularity of the Supercars Endurance among Iberian fans.

The vibrant paddock atmosphere was boosted by BMW, Bosch, and Motul, who organised interactive fan experiences and activities, adding extra colour and energy to the event.

With strong attendance throughout the season, the Supercars Endurance is steadily establishing itself as one of the premier racing series on the Iberian Peninsula, attracting an ever-growing fan base and delivering a show worthy of their passion.

From the Classroom to Race Control

As in Portimão, the Valencia round featured Neus Santamaría as race director – a highly respected figure in international motorsport. Currently the Race Director for the F1 Academy since its inaugural season and also for the GT2 European Series, Neus Santamaría brought a modern and rigorous approach to the Iberian Supercars event.

After years of balancing her work as a teacher with roles in motorsport, she decided to dedicate herself fully to her career in the world of racing.

Two Grids for Jerez

The upcoming Jerez de la Frontera round, scheduled for 31 October and 1 November, will feature a special format with two separate starting grids – one dedicated exclusively to GT4 cars, and the other for GTC and Touring Cars.

This will only be the second time this season that the Supercars Endurance has split the field, following the solution first implemented at the opening round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, due to the high number of entrants.

The decision ensures more balanced races and greater track time for each category, allowing each class to shine on its own and delivering an even more thrilling spectacle for teams, drivers, and fans alike.