Strong classic line-up heads to Portimão for the Algarve Classic FestivalThe Algarve Classic Festival returns this weekend to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, marking one of the most eagerly an

The Algarve Classic Festival returns this weekend to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, marking one of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the national motorsport calendar for historic racing enthusiasts. The event promises three days of intense activity both on and off the track, featuring twelve races celebrating the legacy of legendary cars and competitions, with more than 200 machines and around 350 drivers representing over 20 countries.

The programme, combining demonstrations, practice sessions, qualifying and races, offers a genuine journey through time across several decades of motorsport history, with all categories of racing — Touring Cars, GTs, single-seaters and prototypes — well represented.

Taking centre stage will be the headline race, the all-new “300 km Algarve Sportscars”, making its debut appearance in Portugal. Spanning 120 minutes or 300 kilometres, this endurance contest includes mandatory refuelling and driver changes, and is open to prototypes built between 1963 and 1972 and GT cars manufactured between 1966 and 1980.

Held late on Saturday afternoon, the race will finish with headlights ablaze, evoking the great endurance contests of the past. The entry list brings together true icons of 1970s Portuguese motorsport, including the Lola T70 and Chevron B19, cars that once starred both on city circuits and in overseas events.

The British-based GT & Sports Car Cup, which features Pre-1963 Prototypes and Pre-1966 GTs that competed in World Championship events of the era, as well as Pre-1966 Touring Cars, also returns to Portugal for the final round of its season. Drawn by the mild October climate and the demanding Portimão layout, around thirty cars will contest a two-hour race on Sunday, with highlights including AC Cobras, Jaguar E-Types, TVR Granturas, MGBs, Austin-Healey 3000s, Morgan Plus 4s and Mini Cooper Ss in their various forms.

The event programme also includes some of the most exciting classic racing series currently active on the Iberian Peninsula, such as the Iberian Historic Endurance, a benchmark competition for Touring Cars and GTs up to 1976. Owing to a record number of entries, organisers have been forced to split the categories, resulting in two grids and four separate races. The Historic Endurance 1 field will feature cars from the Gentleman Driver Spirit (GDS) division – home to Datsun 1200s, Ford Cortina Lotuses and short-wheelbase Porsche 911s – along with the H-1965 class, which includes Ford Mustangs, Lotus Elan 26Rs, AC Cobras and Jaguar Es, and finally the GTP & Sportscar up to 1965 category, which will see three legendary Ford GT40s take to the track.

Meanwhile, the Historic Endurance 2 grid will be formed by cars from the H-1971 and H-1976 classes, featuring mainly Touring Cars such as the Alfa Romeo GTAm, Ford Escort RS, and various Porsche models including the 914 and 911.

The Carrera 80, open to GT and Touring Cars from the second half of the 1970s through to 1993, will once again bring iconic machinery from that era back to the track. Ford Escorts, Porsche 911s and a range of BMWs that thrilled fans half a century ago will return to provide the spectacle once more, in two races featuring mandatory pit stops.

Turning to the single-seaters, in addition to Friday’s Formula Vee demonstrations, the Single Seater Series — the only national championship dedicated exclusively to formula cars — will stage two decisive races at Portimão. A grid featuring Formula Renault, Formula Ford and late-1970s Formula 3 cars promises close racing and plenty of entertainment.

Adding to the competitive and historic spirit of the event will be Group 1 Portugal, reserved for classics built to Pre-1981 Group 1 specifications, as well as competitors in the Mini Trophy and 924 Cup — a cost-controlled championship that embraces the “club racing” ethos and recalls the national Group 1 championships from 1979 to 1981, along with the iconic BTCC in the UK, featuring Ford Escorts, VW Golf GTIs and Datsun 1200s competing in the Production Cup in a semi-endurance format.

Beyond the racing, the Algarve Classic Festival is also a celebration of automotive culture. The Classic Car Parade for car clubs on Saturday and historic motorcycle displays on Sunday will offer spectators the chance to enjoy these true automotive gems up close, in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere full of passion for classic cars.

In addition to the Formula Vee demonstrations, the programme also includes on-track displays of classic motorcycles and club parades.

Over a weekend that promises spectators a fantastic journey through time, full of nostalgia and unique engine sounds, tickets are already available through MEO Blueticket and the circuit box office, with several options: the “Main Stand” ticket gives access only to the specified grandstand; the “Paddock” ticket allows access to both the paddock and the main stand; and the “VIP Tower” ticket permits movement between the VIP Tower, paddock and main stand.

Entry is free for children and young people from three to sixteen years of age. For more information on club parades or ticket purchases, visit the event website at algarveclassicfestival.org.