The stage is set at Estoril Classics to host the Iberian Historic Endurance, the largest classic car competition in Southern Europe, bringing a field that evokes the magic of great national and international races between 1965 and 1976.
With over eighty preliminary registrations, Race Ready had to make a thoughtful selection to bring together a top-notch starting grid for the 8th edition of Estoril Classics. The lineup emphasizes vehicle diversity, with forty-five Touring, GT, and Prototype cars competing for top positions across five classes that divide the field and for victory in the Performance Index classification.
Despite its Iberian essence, ten nationalities are represented in a starting grid of forty-five stunning cars — the maximum allowed by the circuit — manufactured by twelve prestigious automakers.
The starting grid features some of the "monsters" that fuel the imaginations of motorsport enthusiasts. Machines like the Ford GT40 — with two examples, one driven by Paulo Lima and the other by Christian Oldendorff — the Shelby Cobra Daytona of the francophone duo Bruce Pineau/Olivier Muytjens, or the AC Cobra of Damien Kohler/“Maverick”, are impossible to miss for those who love iconic cars. Equally unmissable are the Ford and Shelby Mustangs, and the Chevrolet Corvette L88 of Pedro Bethencourt.
The marque with the most models on the grid is, without a doubt, Porsche, featuring several different 911s, including the always highly competitive RS with different engine configurations, ST, and SWB variants. There’s also a sophisticated 904/6 and a stunning 356 SC. Additionally, there are various Alfa Romeo GTAm, Lotus Elan and a Seven, BMWs, and a Ford Escort RS 2000 from the Santos family.
In such an eclectic group of cars, it’s only fair to mention the Austin Mini Cooper S of Ellie Birchenhough, prepared by Dorset Racing, a team that has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as two national Datsun 1200s, driven by the duo João Neves/Francisco Gonçalves and the rookies Davide Marques/José Arantes.
For those who appreciate cars that are a little more unusual for the general public, notable entries include the Iso Grifo A3/C of the Dutch duo Pieter Boel and Richardo Rubbio Boel, the Volvo 121 of Jorge Guimarães, and the small yet agile Merlyn MK4 driven by Carlos Barbot.
But for those who have followed Portuguese national motorsport for decades, several historic names from our sport will be present. Aurora Motorsport, which is preparing five cars, including four Porsches, is the racing arm of the unforgettable Garagem Aurora. Manuel Ferrão will take to the track in a Lotus Elan ex-Team Palma, a car that in its heyday was driven by Ernesto Neves and Mário Araújo Cabral. As for drivers, there will be former national circuit champions, such as Alcides Petiz and João Pina Cardoso, along with renowned motorsport surnames like Jorge Nogueira Pinto Monte Real, Filipe Nogueira, who is debuting a Lotus 23B, and Ricardo Megre, national Formula Ford champion in 1998 and winner of Formula BMW in 2000.
Cuervo y Sobrinos Rewards Winner of the Performance Index
With the motto “Relaxed Historic Racing” and the aim of offering exciting classic car races for Gentlemen Drivers at the best events and circuits in Southern Europe, no Historic Endurance event is complete without the awarding of the Index of Performance and an exclusive piece from Swiss watchmaker Cuervo y Sobrinos.
This classification, where the winner is unlikely to be the first to cross the finish line, rewards the best performance based on the car’s age, engine capacity, and body type. In this edition, there are several contenders for the much-coveted prize offered by the brand, which carries the slogan "Swiss Manufacture, Latin Heritage." In this classification, the Porsche 356, the Datsun 1200, or the Lotus cars are favoured over more high-performance vehicles.
Liqui Moly Renews Its Commitment
A leader in lubricants, additives, and chemicals, with a long history of involvement in motorsport, Liqui Moly will take a prominent role in the event for the second consecutive year, positioning itself as a premium partner of Estoril Classics and the Iberian Historic Endurance.
In addition to fostering a close relationship with the drivers and teams of Historic Endurance, Liqui Moly will also engage with the thousands of visitors who attend the event each year. The company's logo will be featured on all official communication materials, including promotional posters, car numbers, and the podium where drivers will celebrate after each race at the iconic Circuito do Estoril.
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