John Emberson and James Bellinger Win the First Edition of the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars

On a day of celebration at the Algarve Classic Festival, the British drivers John Emberson and James Bellinger, at the wheel of a Chevron B19, were crowned winners of the first edition of the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars, held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

With a programme packed with races, the best was saved for last, with the highly anticipated inaugural 300 km Algarve Sports Cars, featuring prototypes built between 1963 and 1972 and GTs manufactured between 1966 and 1980.

The drama began even before the cars lined up on the starting grid, when the Lola 290, qualified on pole position by Steve Brooks and John Sheldon, did not start due to a broken input shaft. The top spot in the grid then passed to the Lola T70 MK3B of the trio Bruno Pereira, Michel Speyer, and Charlie Hyett, the fastest in the H-1972 over 2000 class during qualifying.

At the start, the Chevron B19 of Kyle Tilley, Oliver Bryant, and Kane Tilley leapt into the lead, overtaking Bruno Pereira’s Lola T70 MK3B, which, heavier due to the initial fuel load, struggled to match the pace of the H-1972 under 2000 class leader. Meanwhile, the Lola T70 MK3 Coupé of João Macedo Silva and José Monroy, which recorded the highest top speed of the day (270.7 km/h), established itself as a threat for second place. The duel between the Portuguese drivers kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.

As the pit stops began for driver changes and refuelling, the Lola of Bruno Pereira, Michel Speyer, and Charlie Hyett temporarily regained the lead on lap 24, but was later forced to retire due to gearbox problems. Three laps later, the Chevron B19 of John Emberson and James Bellinger, who had quietly been running in fourth at the start, took the lead for the first time, though only briefly, before yielding to the McLaren M1B of Richard McAlpine and Nigel Greensall, which held the front until its final stop. The former Can-Am car stopped with ten minutes to go.

When the frantic back-and-forth of pit stops finally settled, the Chevron B19 of Kyle Tilley, Oliver Bryant, and Kane Tilley re-emerged at the front, with victory almost within their grasp. However, less than ten minutes from the end, a dramatic twist—so typical of endurance racing—forced the British prototype to retire due to electrical problems.

As night fell over southern Portugal, John Emberson and James Bellinger seized the opportunity, claiming victory in the first edition of the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars, also securing the win in the H-1972 under 2000 class.

Portuguese duo João Macedo Silva and José Monroy crossed the finish line in second place, claiming victory in the H-1972 over 2000 class, followed by the Chevron B8 of Joel Hopwood and Nigel Greensall, which took the honours in the H-1969 class, two laps ahead of the Crossle 9S driven tirelessly by Bernard Foley and Lewis Dunlop.

Kyle Tilley, Oliver Bryant, and Kane Tilley, who set the fastest lap of the race, managed to finish fourth overall and second in the H-1972 under 2000 class, ahead of the Chevron B16 of John Sheldon (a driver with more than a dozen Le Mans 24 Hours appearances) and Paul Cope, who completed the podium for the class of the lighter prototypes.

At the wheel of their Porsche 911 RS, the tireless Olivier Muytjens and Brice Pineau, who competed in four separate races throughout the day, claimed victory among the GT cars, also finishing in a commendable 8th place overall.

At the wheel of their Porsche 911 RS, the tireless Olivier Muytjens and Brice Pineau, who competed in four separate races throughout the day, triumphed among the GT cars, also securing a well-deserved eighth place overall.

For Diogo Ferrão, CEO of Race Ready, organiser of the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars, “It was a fantastic race that brought back memories of the great endurance events of the past. The change of leadership with just three laps to go showcased the true spirit of endurance racing, where the race isn’t over until the checkered flag falls, and where the first rule for winning is simply to finish. The enthusiasm of the participants, the spectacular cars, and the commitment we aim to continue at the Algarve Classic Festival in the years to come give us every confidence that we will be back to run the 300 km Algarve Sports Cars next year.”

See you in 2026!