We're just about a month away from Estoril Classics 2024, one of Europe's premier events for classic cars. With over twenty-four hours of track action spread across three days, the event promises to be a highlight, particularly with the memory of Formula 1's past visits to the Autódromo do Estoril serving as a major point of interest.
The weekend that brings an authentic pilgrimage to the historic Portuguese circuit is approaching, and the 7th edition, taking place from October 4th to 6th, promises to excite all the fans who attend the event even more.
The traditional Classic GP for pre-1986 F1 cars will be the main attraction, featuring two races—one on Saturday and another on Sunday—with qualifying on Friday. This ensures that spectators will enjoy top-tier single-seater competition throughout all three days.
It will be a unique opportunity to see the cars that marked the end of the 'Cosworth Era' on track, with the Williams FW07 and the Lotus 78 being some of the most competitive examples from that period.
This year, there will be a new addition to the Classic GP grid—a car that has never competed in Portugal but is one of the most iconic single-seaters in the history of the top category. The specific car will be revealed soon.
Formula 1 will also be represented by the 90's Formula Demo for F1 Cars, which will bring to the Estoril Autodrome single-seaters that played a leading role in the 1990s to perform on-track demonstrations, with one exhibition each day.
Over the three days, attendees will be able to watch the evolution of the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter and 3.0-liter cars on the circuit located in Cascais, where engines like the Renault V10, Honda V10, Ford V8, Judd V8, and Yamaha V10 filled the air with their high-pitched song at over 15,000 rpm.
In addition to Formula 1, all the main motorsport disciplines will be represented at this year’s edition of Estoril Classics, including prototypes and GTs, which will be divided among Classic Endurance Racing (1 and 2), Endurance Racing Legends, and Sixties' Endurance races.
The machines that competed on the world’s great circuits from the 1960s to the early 1980s (Classic Endurance Racing 1 and Classic Endurance Racing 2) will have their respective one-hour races on Sunday. The prototypes and GTs that headlined at the end of the last century and the beginning of the current one (Endurance Racing Legends) will have their race on Saturday evening, finishing at night, offering a truly special spectacle.
The Sixties’ Endurance, which brings us true relics from the period between 1950 and 1965, will hold its race on Saturday, providing a unique opportunity to see some genuine works of art.
Touring cars will also play a role throughout the weekend, with the Classic Touring Challenge and Heritage Touring Cup, covering a period from the 1950s to the mid-1980s, representing some of the most exhilarating periods of the category.
The older Touring cars, featuring machines like the Mini Cooper and Ford Cortina, will have their race on Saturday, while the more recent ones, showcasing various BMWs and the imposing Ford Capri, will have their race on Sunday.
The Iberian Historic Endurance, the most prestigious Iberian classic car series, will bring together GT and Turismos in a single race on Sunday, alluding to memories of the 1970s and earlier, when it was common for endurance races to include both categories.
Tickets for the paddock are already on sale, with the daily ticket costing 20 euros for Friday and 35 euros for Saturday and Sunday. A pass for all three days costs just 50 euros, while children up to the age of 16 have free access to the paddock as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are available for purchase through the official BOL.pt website, or at FNAC and Worten. Please note that ticket availability is limited by the capacity of the Estoril Autodrome paddock.
In keeping with tradition since the inaugural Estoril Classics, access to Grandstand A at the Autódromo do Estoril remains free. This allows all fans to join in the celebration at the historic Portuguese circuit.
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