As we reach the midpoint of this year's season of the Iberian Supercars, Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars Jarama RACE, it is already evident that 2024 is a great year, with numerous and high-quality grids providing exciting races for the many spectators and viewers following them. We asked Diogo Ferrão to share with us the most remarkable moments and/or facts of the season.
The CEO of Race Ready, the organizer of the three championships, leads the team that assembles the puzzle of organizing a championship and each of the events, thus having a close view of each of the occurrences that have shaped the season, which is now at its midpoint.
With the rounds in Jerez, Jarama, and Estoril in the books, Diogo Ferrão has no difficulty identifying the moments and/or facts that make 2024 a successful year for the Iberian Supercars, Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade, and Supercars Jarama España.
Strong Turnout for the Series
If someone had told me in 2022 that, two years later, we would have grids of forty cars, I might have found it hard to believe. Not because I lack confidence in the project we've embraced, but because creating a championship and establishing a credible and stable image takes time.
However, in 2024, the Iberian Supercars have consistently featured over thirty cars on the starting grid. And it's not just about quantity; there is also a lot of quality in terms of drivers, teams, and cars.
I believe this is solid proof that the Iberian motorsport community trusts us, recognizing the serious and consistent way we approach the championship and each of the drivers and teams. We will continue to work hard, improve any areas that need refinement, so we can further evolve and continue to earn the trust of everyone involved.
Emotional Races to the Flag
One of the standout moments of the season so far is, without a doubt, the end of the second race in Jerez.
The race was decided on the final lap when César Machado overtook Miguel Lobo for the lead. The top three drivers, in cars from different manufacturers, crossed the finish line separated by just 1.126 seconds after forty-five minutes of intense action, with Nerea Martí only 0.003 seconds behind the Veloso Motorsport Porsche driver.
This is the clearest example of how fiercely contested the races have been this season. Intense battles for position have been the defining feature of all the 2024 events, with thrilling duels at both Jarama and Estoril that captivated spectators and viewers alike.
I believe the competition level is very high, which makes the races even more exciting. The regulations—both sporting and technical—also promote this level of competition, and that is evident on the track.
Iberian Television Exposure
Since 2022, we've had TV broadcast in Portugal, but we are an Iberian championship. We were missing television presence in Spain to provide media exposure for Spanish drivers, teams, and sponsors, and to reach a larger audience. After all, we now operate in a truly Iberian market, with marketing departments focused on the entire peninsula rather than each country individually.
This year, we secured an agreement with DAZN España, addressing this gap and enabling us to achieve Iberian television coverage, alongside Portugal’s A Bola TV, in addition to the broadcasts we produce on our social media channels.
This is another step forward in building a championship with greater media exposure, making it stronger and more appealing to drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans. However, there's still room for improvement, and that's where our focus lies.
Public Engagement
We have large, exciting, and high-quality starting grids, which was one of our primary goals, but we also want fans at the tracks. We want them to feel the excitement of our races and spread the word to other enthusiasts. Ultimately, we aim for each event to be a grand celebration.
This year, we've already seen a strong turnout at both Jarama and Estoril, with packed grandstands and bustling paddocks filled with enthusiastic people. This gives us confidence that they will return for future events.
Additionally, we've noticed the return of many well-known figures, who have been absent from the paddocks for years, coming back to watch our races. This shows there is significant interest surrounding the series.
Increased Manufacturer Presence
I can't guarantee it, but I believe it's been decades since an Iberian championship has seen such strong manufacturer involvement. Aston Martin Racing, BMW M Motorsport, Mercedes AMG (HWA), and Toyota Gazoo Racing are all sending support trucks and/or engineers to the races. Additionally, teams supported by the local importers of Aston Martin, BMW, McLaren, and Toyota are also taking part.
This highlights the growing importance of the competition at a European level, making it one of the most well-attended GT4 series on the continent.
Teams benefit greatly from this, as they receive direct support from manufacturers, which allows them to save costs by not having to carry a large inventory of spare parts.
We will continue working to attract even more manufacturers to our paddock and further strengthen the championship.
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