A Ferrari 333 SP, a Ferrari F40 or a Jaguar XJR15 are some of the classic cars that this weekend, from 28 to 30 October, will participate in the «Algarve Classic Festival», at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão. The event is considered «the biggest classic car in the Iberian Peninsula» and will have the sports cars that run on the emblematic Le Mans circuit as a backdrop.
The presence of these cars in the «Algarve Classic Festival» is due to one of the great news of this edition: the «High Speed Demonstrations» concept will debut at the Autodromo do Algarve, and in Portugal, through the «90's Endurance Legends», which will allow that car owners use them on the track for which they were designed, without having to worry about different situations that exist in a race.
In terms of competitions, this year, the Algarve Classic Festival will have, in addition to the return of the «GT & Sports Cars Cup» for original Grande Turismoes prior to 1965, the «Iberian Historic Endurance» for Tourism and GT prior to 1976 and the «Stirling Moss Trophy» for Sport's cars prior to 1961. There will also be the «HTTC» competitions for Tourism until 1986 and the «National CNCC/LCC».
The Iberian Historic Endurance is «one of the most valuable grids of the event», according to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. There are drivers from nine different nationalities competing, as well as a variety of brands, with… 18 million euros in cars. To know: giant killers Mini Cooper S, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo 122S, Ford Cortina Lotus, four Ford GT40 or the rare Iso Rivolta and Ginetta G10.
As for the drivers, in addition to the usual family pairs and Gentlemen Drivers that characterize this competition in particular, you can find «Pro-Am» pairs with names like Mário Silva, Frank Stippler, who has already won the «Porsche Supercup», or Simon Hadfield , on the same starting grid.
Joana Melo, from the communication office of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, explained to Sul Informação the importance of this event for the region, and for Portimão in particular. "We have the hotel here in the Autodromo, as well as others in the municipality that are already full with drivers and companions," he said. But fans of motor sport and classics will also come, to fill the hotel units, namely «people from the North of the country who come to the Algarve on purpose to attend the event».
In terms of the audience, even so, "the majority will be foreigners, whether participants or spectators," he revealed. When it comes to tickets, the demand has been “a lot”. However, most of the sales "will be made on the weekend", said Joana Melo to Sul Informação.
Paulo Pinheiro, in charge of the Autodromo, says that it is «with great pleasure that the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve hosts, for the eighth consecutive year, another Algarve Classic Festival».
Indeed, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and Race Ready have already renewed the partnership contract they established, assuring now that the Algarve Classic Festival will also take place in the next three years.
For information about tickets, which vary between 10 and 43 euros, click here. There is also the possibility to buy a «Golpen Pass», with access to the Paddock, stands, VIP towers and lunch, for 62 euros for Friday or Saturday, 79 euros for Sunday, or 119 euros, valid for two days, and 155 euros for three days. Children up to 16 years old, if accompanied by an adult with a ticket, do not pay admission.
Comments