VILA REAL: THE STREET CIRCUIT THAT STILL CAPTIVATES GT DRIVERS

The next round of the Supercars Endurance series will take place at a different venue, with the field heading to the Circuito Internacional de Vila Real, one of the most challenging and iconic tracks in Southern Europe motorsport, in an event that will count exclusively towards the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade.

At first glance, the fact that the Trás-os-Montes event only scores towards the Portuguese national championship could appear to limit the interest of international drivers. Vila Real’s history, however, proves exactly the opposite. The demands of the street circuit, the unique bond between the city and motorsport, and the atmosphere around the track continue to attract drivers from different nationalities, who view a visit to “Bila” as an experience that goes far beyond the results.

But there is one element that continues to set Vila Real apart from any other venue on the calendar. The Trás-os-Montes circuit offers drivers a challenge rarely seen in modern times, with high-speed corners carved out between barriers, where precision and bravery play a decisive role. The Descida de Mateus, one of the circuit’s most iconic sections, is the perfect example of this identity: a breath-taking sequence where confidence in both car and driver has to be absolute. It is precisely this combination of history, technical difficulty and closeness to the fans that continues to fuel the attraction of international drivers to the event.

Among the newcomers to the legendary Trás-os-Montes circuit will be Ángel Santos. The Spanish driver from Petrogold by Chefo Sport, who normally shares a Ligier JS2 R with Alejandro Iribas, will have young Portuguese driver Gabriel Caçoilo as his team-mate at Vila Real and sees the event as a special opportunity. “It is an important race on the calendar, where Portuguese fans experience motorsport with great intensity, so it is an experience we have to live,” explained the Spaniard.

Making his debut on a street circuit adds another dimension to the challenge. As Ángel Santos acknowledges, “this will be my first opportunity to compete on a street circuit. I am really looking forward to driving flat-out through the streets of Vila Real.” Despite the need to adapt to the layout, expectations remain high. “Both Gabriel Caçoilo and I are ambitious drivers and we will fight for victory at Vila Real,” said the driver competing in the GTX class.

Another newcomer, Rodrigo Almeida, also sees the visit to Vila Real as a landmark moment of the season. The Mozambican driver from Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal, who will have Francisco Mora as his team-mate, highlights the historical importance of the event. “Racing at Vila Real has a very special meaning for me, because it is one of the most iconic circuits in Portugal, but also because it is my first time there and I see this challenge as something positive,” revealed the young GT4 Pro entrant.

Aware of the unique nature of a track where every mistake can have immediate consequences, Rodrigo Almeida knows that his approach must be balanced. “At Vila Real anything can happen, so we will always go with the greatest care possible, but of course whenever I go to a race, I go there to win,” he stressed. The driver also believes the team’s experience will be crucial, highlighting “the advice from everyone around me and, without exception, from my manager Tiago Monteiro” as important support for tackling the challenge.

For Adam Fawsitt, who made his debut last year, Vila Real represents exactly what continues to make motorsport special. The British driver, at the wheel of an Art of Speed Porsche 911 Cup car, sees the Trás-os-Montes event as a rare opportunity on the international calendar. “There are very few places in the world where you can still race a modern GT on genuine public roads, between houses and safety barriers, as the great drivers of previous decades did. Vila Real is one of them,” explained the Englishman, who will compete in the Cup division.

The Briton highlights the demands of a layout that leaves no room for a lack of concentration. “It is a true street circuit, with a history dating back to the 1930s, and you feel that the moment you go through the fastest sections. The track demands total commitment and precision; there is no room for a relaxed line,” he said. For Fawsitt, the combination of the circuit, the Douro region and the fans makes Vila Real a unique event. “It is one of the events I mark on the calendar right at the start of the year,” he added.

More than just a race, the Art of Speed driver considers Vila Real a celebration of the essence of motorsport. “It represents motor racing in its purest and most honest form. It is an event where the result depends as much on courage and respect for the circuit as it does on the car,” he explained. “Competing in a place with so much history, in front of tens of thousands of people lining the track, is a privilege. We are part of a much bigger story than a simple race weekend.”

As for this year’s objectives, Adam Fawsitt is taking a pragmatic approach. “The first objective is to get everything I can from the car and from myself on a circuit that punishes any mistake. Completing clean, consistent laps and bringing the car to the finish is the foundation,” he said. After that, the ambition is to “be competitive in my class, secure a good grid position and turn that into a strong result in the two races.”

Vila Real’s ability to continue attracting international drivers confirms the event’s special status on the calendar, with the Stéphanie Hobeika and Will Hunt pairing also competing in a McLaren 570S GT4 from TRS. The Trás-os-Montes challenge is not just another round of the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, but an opportunity for drivers from different backgrounds to tackle one of Europe’s most demanding and historic street circuits.

This international connection is nothing new. During the 1960s and 1970s, Vila Real became one of the major international venues for GT racing, welcoming some of the era’s most renowned drivers and machinery. The challenge of the Trás-os-Montes streets already attracted leading names in world motorsport at the time, creating a tradition that remains alive today and that the Supercars Endurance competitions aim to preserve, returning an international grid to Vila Real and reinforcing the status of one of the most unique events on the Iberian calendar.

The 55th running of the Circuito Internacional de Vila Real takes place from 10 to 12 July, promising another chapter in a story that continues to unite drivers, teams and fans around one of the great stages of Iberian motorsport.