TALES FROM PORTIMÃO SEASON-OPENER PADDOCK

The engines have already been heard at the Algarve International Circuit, where this weekend marks the beginning of the Iberian Supercars, the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars España.

New Tyres and Setup Testing

Usually, each Supercars Endurance event - the umbrella term for the three championships  - includes two optional test sessions for any drivers and teams wishing to participate. However, this time around, two additional sessions were made available specifically for GT4 category cars.

Pirelli has introduced a new tyre for this year, the P Zero DHG, which only recently became available. As a result, teams had not yet had the chance to adapt their cars to the new characteristics of the Italian manufacturer's compound.

To help fine-tune the GT4 cars to the new tyres, two extra one-hour test sessions were held, which were taken up by the vast majority of the teams.

Severe Weather Warning in Portimão

Team plans were nearly washed out due to a yellow warning from the local Civil Protection Authority forecasting heavy rain and strong winds.

Indeed, from Thursday night into Friday morning, there was significant rainfall and gusts exceeded 90 km/h. But by sunrise, the storm had passed, giving everyone a positive outlook.

The first test session was held on a wet track, but from then on - despite a few light showers - slick tyres were used, allowing teams to adjust their cars to the Pirelli tyres.

Promises of a Competitive Season

Lap times during testing can often be misleading, but as these were the final sessions before the season kicks off, everyone paid close attention.

Across the four sessions involving the GT4s, the pairing of Francisco Abreu and Francisco Mora (Toyota GR Supra GT4 from Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal) clocked the fastest times in two sessions - the first (on a wet track) and the last.

In the second session, it was Mathieu Martins and Roberto Faria (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 from Racar Motorsport) who posted the best time, while in the third session, reigning champion duo Rafael Lobato and César Machado (Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 from Speedy Motorsport) topped the timesheets.

The best time of the day belonged to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal pairing — 1m50.611s — over a second faster than last year’s best pole-position time of 1m51.281s, set by Filip Vava in the NM Racing Team’s Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Young Talent Impresses

Henrique Moura Oliveira and Rúben Silva were the big surprise among the duos set to compete in the race for Touring Cars and GTC classes.

The young pair, who were part of the FPAK Junior Team last year, were the fastest of the field at the wheel of a BMW M4 GT4 (F82), which Monteiros Competições acquired from Batina Racing during the off-season.

In the first session, their main challengers were Gracie Mitchell and series newcomer Luca Staccini in a Ginetta G55 from Tockwith Motorsports. In the second session, it was Pompeu Simões and Duarte Camelo in a Porsche Cayman CS prepared by Speedy Motorsport who came closest to matching the Monteiros Competições BMW duo.

Protech Pushes Ferrari to the Limit

The Cup division features a major novelty this year - a Ferrari 430 Challenge fielded by newcomers Protech Motorsport.

However, following contact during the Estoril tests, the team faced a tough task. Sourcing certain components, particularly a rear bumper, proved difficult for the Maranello machine that will be shared by Pedro Paiva Raposo and Adam Fawsitt.

The Protech Motorsport team pulled out all the stops and managed to secure the necessary parts in Portugal, completing the car’s preparation by Thursday afternoon.

Jemma Moore Makes Her Return

Tockwith Motorsport remained committed to debuting its Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the opening round of the season, completing its driver line-up this Friday.

The British team had already confirmed Aubrey Hall for the car, but were still seeking for a competitive teammate. The choice eventually fell on Jemma Moore, a driver with previous race wins in the championship behind the wheel of Tockwith’s Ginettas.

The UK-based squad, a long-time participant in Race Ready events since the days of the GT4 South European Series, now returns to GT4 competition.