Algarve Classic Festival Kicks Off at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve

The sound of engines from another era echoed today at the ever-majestic Algarve International Circuit, marking the start of the 2025 edition of the Algarve Classic Festival. Drivers and machines took part in the first sessions of free practice and qualifying, preparing for the twelve races scheduled for the weekend.

The day began with several free practice sessions and a demonstration of Formula Vee, followed by the qualifying for the Iberian Historic Endurance 1 plateau, which will feature cars from the Gentleman Driver Spirit (GDS), H-1965 and GTP & Sportscar up to 1965 categories.

Bruno Lima and Ricardo Pereira (Ford GT40) set the fastest time among the forty cars on track, beating Carlos Barbot and Pedro Bastos Rezende (Merlyn MK4) and Oliver Muytjens and Brice Pineau (Ford GT40) in the battle for pole position for tomorrow’s first 50-minute race.

Qualifying for the Carrera 80, for Touring and GT cars from 1976 to the early 1990s, was the closest contest of the day, with the two fastest separated by just 0.020 seconds. The Ford Escort RS1800, prepared by Equipe Classic Racing and driven by British newcomer Rob Cull, set the fastest time, narrowly ahead by two hundredths of a second of Diogo Cavaco’s BMW 325i E36. The second row of the grid will be shared by Luís Nunes (Ford Escort RS1600) and the Franco-Belgian pairing Brice Pineau/Olivier Muytjens (Porsche 911 RS).

Next on the programme was qualifying for the grid of the first race of Iberian Historic Endurance 2, which this weekend will feature cars from the H-1971 and H-1976 classes. Pedro Bethencourt and Mário Silva, in the imposing Chevrolet Corvette L88, set the fastest time, followed by Carlos Brízido and João Pina Cardoso (Porsche 911 3.0 RS). Behind them will start Bruno Duarte and Filipe Jesus in the Porsche 911 3.0 RS and Piero dal Maso, Guilhermo dal Maso, and José Carvalho in the Porsche 911 2.5 ST, the fastest of the H-1971 class.

As evening fell, the impressive prototypes and GT cars vying for victory in the inaugural 300 km Algarve Sports Cars race took to the track in pursuit of the best possible starting positions for tomorrow’s race. The four fastest were separated by just six tenths of a second, with Steve Brooks and John Sheldon in the Lola 290 setting the fastest lap at 1:52.778, also taking pole position in the H-1972 under 2000 class, narrowly ahead by 0.214 seconds of the Lola T70 MK3B driven by Bruno Pereira, Michel Speyer, and Charlie Hyett, the fastest in the H-1972 over 2000 class.

On the second row, and challenging for the front, will be the two Chevron B19s driven by Kyle Tilley/Oliver Bryant and John Emberson/James Bellinger. In the H-1969 class, reserved for the oldest cars, where close competition also prevailed, the McLaren M1B of Richard McAlpine and Nigel Greensall set the fastest time, 0.252 seconds ahead of Marc Devis’ Lola T70 MK3B Spyder, hinting at a fiercely contested race.

Tomorrow, the programme will continue with plenty of action, featuring the final qualifying sessions and the first races on the Algarve “rollercoaster,” with particular attention on the last race of the day, the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars. An exciting contest is expected, lasting 120 minutes, or 300 kilometres, in which team strategy will be just as important as driver speed.

Over the weekend, spectators will be treated to a fantastic journey back in time, full of nostalgia and distinctive sound. Tickets are already available via MEO Blueticket and at the circuit’s box office, with several options: the “Main Grandstand” ticket grants access to the specified stand only; the “Paddock” ticket allows access to the Paddock and the Main Grandstand; and the “VIP Tower” option permits movement between the VIP Tower, the Paddock, and the Main Grandstand.

Admission is free for children and young people aged three to sixteen. For more information about club parades or to purchase tickets, visit the event website at algarveclassicfestival.org.

RACE RESULTS