The GT4 South European Series lands in Portugal as Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will host two intense and exciting races this weekend.
THE THEATRE
The competition sponsored by Betano kicks off its “Portuguese Tour” next weekend and the Algarve circuit will be the place for the first race weekend in Portuguese soil of the Race Ready organized and SRO Motorsport Group’s supported series.
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve opened in 2008 and soon was one of the favourites among the drivers, with its uphills and downhills along with blind turns, which enlighten the talented and brave drivers.
Since the opening, it hosted numerous international competitions, such as the GP2 Series, A1 GP, Le Mans Series, Superleague Formula, European Le Mans Series, etc.
It also staged Formula 1 test sessions in 2008 and 2009, which put it in the international circuits map. Today, it’s one of the most demanded racetracks in Europe.
This year, the track located nearby Portimão hosts the first Portuguese round of the GT4 South European Series, and it is expected that with its fifteen turns along the 4.692 kilometres layout it will provide excitement and strong emotions.
THE RACING
If the Autodromo Internacional Algarve has all the right ingredients to offer some great racing, the entry list for the first Portuguese round shows a ten-car grid.
In the Pro-Am Cup the fight between the Miguel Cristóvão / Francisco Abreu’s Mercedes-AMG GT4 and the Mariano Pires / César Machado’s Ginetta G55 GT4 will have another chater. The two teams lead the drivers’ standings. The Portuguese duo of the British-built car will do everything within their reach to recover some points after an unlucky weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya.
The top season contenders will have a stronger opposition this weekend with the arrival of the two Bullitt Racing’s Mercedes-AMG GT4. The team who took part in the GT4 European Series has wins in its name. Stephen Pattrick and Andy Meyrick, a former Bentley Motorsport factory driver, will share one of the cars.
The second car will be driven by Ian Loggie, a driver with Blancpain Endurance Series and British GT wins, and Callum Macleod, who won European F3 Open and British Formula Ford titles in recent past.
Veloso Motorsport’s Porsche Cayman GT4 is back in action this weekend. Fábio Mota, who will make his first appearance in the series, will join Francisco Carvalho, who won both Barcelona races. The driver from Vila Nova de Gaia brings his international Touring Car experience for the GT4 South European Series debut.
The sole entry in the Am Cup is the Team Virage’s Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 of C. O. Jones and Freddie Hunt. Jones will return to the GT4 South European Series after conquering two podiums finishes at Jarama. Freddie Hunt – son of the 1976 F1 World Champion – will make his debut in the series, but his vast racing experience – he took part in the GT4 European Series Northern Cup, the Michelin Le Mans Cup, the V de V Endurance Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – assures him a fast adaptation to the new environment.
Four entries are joining the GTC Cup this weekend with Tockwith Motorsports fielding three cars and Plemar Sport one.
The English squad will line up its season duo – Marmaduke Hall and Edward Moore – a pair that has impressed this season so far.
Tockwith Motorsports raised its game for this round, entering two more Ginetta G50 GT4 for mixed pairs. Jemma Moore and Callum Bradshaw, who have been shining in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, will share one of the cars.
Moh Ritson and Sarah Moore, a pair who should be able to perform strong during the weekend, will share the third Ginetta car. The duo took part in the 2019 Britcar Endurance Championship, a series won by Sarah last year. The quick female racer was also one of the W Series main contenders, ending the season in the eighth place among twenty drivers.
From Spain comes Plemar Sport, who will field a Ginetta G50 GT4 for Juan Reina and Alberto Valverde. The Spanish squad achieved two class podiums at Jarama and promises to be a strong contender in the fight for the GTC Cup honours.
Tockwith Motorsport will be also responsible by the Bespoke Racing Cars’ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, who will be at Algarve as guest. The drivers will be Marcus Fothergill and Dave Benett, two gentlemen drivers who have been regular presences in the Britcar Endurance Championship.
HOW TO WATCH
As usual, both races will be broadcasted live on the series’ social platforms. The first race will take place on Saturday, October 26th, at 17h40 (GMT+1) and the second on Sunday, October 27th, at 17h10 (GMT).
