Sun, sea, sand and… motor racing. Sound good? It is. And there’s more. What does the Algarve mean to you, as a racing fan? Golf courses, holiday villas, waterside bars and lots of friendly people. Probably. There’s also a magnificent motor racing circuit near to all of these things and in a few weeks from now the Circuito de Portimão will stage the Algarve Historic Festival. It’s the perfect way to combine some autumn sunshine and some glorious racing cars.
If you race a historic car you may have entered already. If not, don’t delay, because the grids are already looking pretty special.
This year, for the first time, there will be a race for the Formula 500 cars – the little single-seaters powered by 500cc motorcycle engines that launched the careers of so many Grand Prix stars in the 1950s. This will be great racing and a big field is expected, with 34 entries thus far.
There’s also an FIA Historic F1 race which is perfectly suited to this magnificent circuit with its long, undulating straight and fast, wide-open corners. There’s room to overtake too, which is rare on a modern track. This is the first time the Formula 1 cars will have been to Portimão, a challenge that their drivers will relish. So will the spectators.
The historic calendar gets better every year and the standards are now high, with promoters inspired and encouraged by events like the Goodwood Revival, which have proved there is potentially a huge audience for racing cars that look – and sound – so different from each other.
Masters Series ringmaster Christopher Tate was understandably enthusiastic about the appearance of Williams F1 business development executive Kirsty Andrew at the Silverstone Classic. This lady has the enviable task of further exploiting the richly evocative history of the Williams Grand Prix team, which has kept and restored many of its winning cars over the four decades since it won its first Grand Prix at Silverstone. There is already a great deal of interest from wealthy enthusiasts keen to race a Williams.
There are now so many great historic events vying for both spectators and sponsors that poorly supported grids are no longer acceptable. And spectators now expect some kind of TV coverage of the events so that they can more easily follow the races from wherever they choose to watch. At Silverstone the grids were impressive, the racing was exciting and there were ‘sideshows’ to entertain the family. But the absence of trackside cameras made following the action on the Grand Prix circuit that much more difficult.
Even today’s F1 ‘superstars’ appreciate a racing car that has breathtaking horsepower, very little downforce and slick tyres. Motor racing will always be a dramatic spectacle, but the best historic events bring back the four-wheel drift, the power slide and the sight of hands and arms moving in the cockpit.
A visit to Portimão on October 15-17 will be a feast for the eyes and ears. For those who wish to relax a little there is a golf course or vineyard around every corner in this part of the world.
Rob, how was this new circuit funded? There will be an F1 GP at this circuit? They secured the funding for this circuit without banking on the returns they may or may not make from staging F1 GPs?
This is where F1 should be begging to go.
Yes, I know, extraordinary, but this is what they do in Europe – lots of money from the local government and a joint investment with a group of entrepreneurs. There might even be some EU grant money in there,as is often the case in these parts. They see this sort of ambitious project as being part of their marketing for tourism – and let’s rejoice – it makes a change from golf and beaches, not that there’s much wrong with beaches. Anyway, yes, a wonderful circuit and one which would be just spectacular for a Portugese Grand Prix! There has been some F1 testing there but I am not aware of any plans for a race in the foreseeable future. I suspect that the fees demanded/expected by Mr E. are just too much for what is actually quite a poor member of the EEC.
It is a great place to go, a fantastic circuit, lovely place, beautiful weather, and a good way of combining some motor racing with a short holiday.
I have been to the Masters Series races there and so I write with some confidence.
En route to Prague now in preparation for the Barum Czech Rally, just about the biggest sporting event in the Republic and a round of the IRC. Back on the blog next week.
RW
I was asking about funding to try to better understand how the Austin cicrcuit is to be financed.
It would seem that this new Portuguese track has been cleared for F1 use, but can’t or won’t stump up the questionable fees needed to gain a GP.
What’s wrong with golf?
Plenty wrong with golf. If you have to ask then you may not understand… Now baseball, there is a game! :P
how many corners on this circuit are 5th or 6th gear?
There is an organised trip going – details at http://www.driveespana.com
golf, kilts and bagpipes – the Scots have a lot to answer to!
‘This year, for the first time, there will be a race for the Formula 500 cars – the little single-seaters powered by 500cc motorcycle engines that launched the careers of so many Grand Prix stars in the 1950s.’
Not forgetting Mr. Ecclestone of course.
the scots are also famous for their inventive capablities and as i am visiting this fair land tomorrow, a wee dram or two will be consumed in celebration of one of my favourite countries in the world- and mr cubbege it also gave us the worlds best ever racing and rally drivers
The was a piece in the news last week about the waste from distilling spirits being used to fuel unmodified petrol engines.
The Motor Sport Elise needs a run north of the border and fuelled on ‘mash’?
dave- blame the French…the Scots got the idea from them.
JD
Using Johnny Walker Whisky ‘mash’ as biofuel would seem the ideal ruse to get the keys to an MP4-12C and give it a little run up to Scotland.
Find a nice little garage with some motor sport connections and try it on the dyno on normal unleaded and then with some of the Johnny Walker Whisky mash, pop down to Twynholm for a quick look in the Coulthard museum and a few laps around Knock Hill?
Max- no, I don’t understand. Please enlighten me.
As to baseball: baseball is not a game…it is the essence of all that is good in the universe. Along with cars that go fast and make a lot of noise.
JD
agreed on Scotland producing two of the world’s greatest racing drivers. I’ll drink a pint to the wee Scot and Sir Jackie as well!
What about the Jim Clark room as well?
Not forgetting Mr Ecclestone of course. No, I was not forgetting, just not mentioning, Mr Ecclestone. I am aware of the dangers of forgetfulness in this area.
To Scotland in the MP4/12C? Oh,yes,if only. It’s pretty good just sitting in the car in the factory at Woking. This is surely THE most desirable car right now………..arguably even more so than the Ferrari 458.
Anyway, dreams.Back to reality and just back from Czech Republic and the Barum Rally where Skoda took a thrilling 1-2-3 thanks to some very intelligent driving from Freddy Loix and solid runs from juha Hanninen and a local Czech crew who came in third after many of the much fancied runners fell off the road when it rained. Poor Jan Kapecky, who led almost the whole way, slid off the road right at the end of the final day. The man was devastated but received a rousing and sporting cheer from both his fans and his mechanics as he disconsolately motored back into the service park into retirement with just two stages to go. A cruel blow for the local hero who won last year. At least Skoda took the Manufacturers Championship with the very effective Fabia Super 2000 machine that has dominated the IRC season thus far.
Now I am being sent to Coventry. For the finals of the Formula One Stock Car Championships. Blimey.
More on this in next month’s magazine. Not sure what I’ve done, or not done, to deserve this but we will make the very best of a new experience……..
RW