Briston Classic Cup: Star-Studded Grid for a Memorable Edition

The Briston Classic Cup will treat fans attending the Estoril Summer Party to a unique race featuring a rich and diverse grid of competition cars homologated or produced between 1950 and 1999.

This coming weekend, the Estoril Circuit will host a special race in partnership with Briston Watches — a brand that blends the elegance of French design with technical innovation and quality.

Recognising the competitive spirit and distinctive style of the event — which is expected to feature around 20 entrants — Briston Watches will present an exclusive Briston Streamliner Gentleman Driver timepiece to the top three teams overall in Sunday’s 60-minute race. More than just a practical instrument, this watch is a true expression of character and good taste.

The starting grid, featuring cars built between 1965 and 1999, includes true motorsport gems such as Paulo Lima’s Ford GT40, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT of Hipólito Pires / Pedro Bastos Rezende, and the Porsche 904/6 of Thorkild Stamp / José Monroy. Also joining the line-up are iconic American muscle cars like the Shelby Mustang GT350s of Ernesto Silva Vieira and Charles Rzepkowicz.

This race will also serve as preparation for several drivers competing in the Iberian Historic Endurance series ahead of the second half of the season. As a result, we’ll see other cars from the most prestigious historic racing series in Southern Europe, such as Manuel Ferrão’s Ford Escort MK2 RS1800 and the Alfa Romeo GTAm of Alex Nabuco and José Carvalhosa. Five debuts are also expected, including the Lotus Elan +2 of François Guerin and Alexandre Almeida, the Lotus 23B of Filipe Nogueira / Carlos Cruz, João Santos’ Porsche 911 RS, and the Datsun 1600 SSS of Filipe Carvalho / António Carmona.

The hour-long race will also offer a nod to the spirit of the "Carrera 80" era, with the participation of two Porsche 911 RSRs from Serviroad. Claudio Vieira, winner of the 2024 SevenFriday Classic Cup, and Bruno Santos will each race alongside their sons, Lucas Vieira and Tiago Santos. Manuel Moura Teixeira will also field a similar model. The Toyota MR2 of André Pardal and Fernando Mayer Gaspar makes a return, while Diogo Cavaco and Bernardo Almeida bring their ever-competitive BMW M3 E36. João Neves and Francisco Gonçalves will share driving duties in their Toyota Starlet. Pedro Melo and Carlos Gagliardini will team up in a Ford Escort MK1, previously seen in Group 1 Portugal. Rounding out the grid is the Audi TT of César Caldas / Paulo Ribeiro.

To ensure competitive balance across the varied machinery on track, a handicap system will be applied during the mandatory pit stop. This system, based on vehicle age and homologation status, can introduce up to 330 seconds (over 5 minutes) of differential at this crucial stage of the race.

Teams with a rookie driver making their circuit racing debut will benefit from a further 70-second reduction to their handicap time — the perfect opportunity for anyone dreaming of their first race.

Participants may freely use slick tyres, but those opting for road-homologated tyres will enjoy a 55-second bonus during the mandatory stop.

An additional compensation system based on vehicle age, type, and engine displacement will also be applied, offering advantages to older and lower-capacity models.

For those planning to attend the Estoril Summer Party and enjoy a packed racing programme, access to Grandstand B will be free, allowing all spectators to enjoy the event at no cost. To access the paddock — where fans can meet the drivers and take part in various activities — a general weekend pass (valid for both Saturday and Sunday) will cost a symbolic €15. Day passes are available for €10.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at BOL.pt, or physically at FNAC or Worten stores until 11 July. On the event days (12–13 July), paddock tickets will only be available at the Estoril Circuit ticket office (Motor Clube do Estoril – MCE shop).