Motorsport fever sweeps through Valencia with the Carrera 80

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia is set to host the second round of the Carrera 80 season, the Iberian competition for Touring and GT cars, as part of the programme for the inaugural Valencia Iberian Racing Festival, taking place on 12, 13 and 14 September.

The starting grid will once again showcase a diverse array of cars that shaped motorsport between 1976 and the late 1990s. In the T MAX category, following their appearance at Jarama, RodaClásica returns with Carlos Tavares teaming up this time with Denis Gibaud in his imposing Group A BMW M3. To the delight of the many fans expected at the Valencian circuit, RP Motorsport will field another BMW E30 M3 for Paulo Lima and José Paradela, a car very much in contention for victory in both races over the weekend.

Jaime Artajo de No and Jaime Artajo Navarrete return behind the wheel of their BMW 325i E30, promising close battles between machines of similar pedigree. In the GR2 category, all eyes are on Manuel Ferrão, who will bring the classic Ford Escort MKII RS1800, famed for its historic legacy, prepared by Moutinho Motorsport.

The T 2000 category will see the Eficar Team pairing of Juan Alonso Borras and José Antonio Zorrilla in a Honda Civic, a nimble and effective car that combines lightness with a highly responsive rotary engine. The same Spanish team will also field newcomers Daniel Casas and Eugenio Fernández with a Datsun 1200 in the GR1/N class, and Juan Domínguez with a Citroën Saxo in the INV category, highlighting the team’s eclectic approach.

Eficar further strengthens its presence in the GT COPA category with Teo Antonio Pérez, a seasoned competitor, at the wheel of his BMW 325i E36, while Garagem João Gomes will run the ever-competitive Porsche 968 CS, masterfully driven by Lucas González-Anleo and Jorge López Atienza – a heavyweight entry with true GT pedigree.

In the GR1/N category, Portuguese outfit Curated Garage will field an Iberian duo of Guillermo Velasco and Francisco Freitas in a Datsun 1200, a model of significant importance in the history of Portuguese motorsport.

RP Motorsport will also feature the ever-fast driver-preparer Ricardo Pereira and Pedro Teixeira de Melo in a competitive Ford Escort RS2000 in the GR1/N class, adding yet more variety to an already rich and diverse grid.

Valencia will thus serve as the stage for a unique festival where history and modern speed intersect both on and off the track, with drivers of various nationalities and cars that are genuine icons of motorsport. The technical and flowing layout of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, combined with the lively paddock and the opportunity for fans to engage directly with the cars and drivers, promises an immersive and unforgettable experience.

The Valencia Iberian Racing Festival promises two days of pure motorsport celebration, with thrilling races, garage stories, and the camaraderie that defines true Iberian club racing.

The two Carrera 80 races, each 40 minutes in duration, will take place at 10:00 and 15:00, with live streaming available on Race Ready’s YouTube channel.