Journal

The Halder siblings Team WTCR dream is coming true in 2021

The Halder siblings, Michelle and Mike Halder will drive on the 2021 WTCR Season. Halders plan is to drive Honda Civic Type R TCRs for their family squad.

“…Michelle Halder, who would become the first female driver to race in WTCR, is a winner in TCR Europe and ADAC TCR Germany, while brother Mike, who is three years older than Michelle, has achieved similar success in his career and challenged for the ADAC TCR Germany title two seasons running. Both also raced karts from an early age…” in FIA WTCR press release

“The aim is to drive the whole season with my brother in the WTCR,” said Michelle Halder. “At the moment it’s difficult because of COVID-19 affecting sponsorship but we are working on it and we hope we can be in WTCR.

“WTCR is a dream come true because to drive against the best touring car drivers in the world would be really, really fantastic.”

The Halders Honda Civic Type R TCRs is the car to drive for Team Halder. FIA WTCR Junior Driver Title, and WTCR Trophy are the title to achieve and conquer. Michelle Halder is aiming for the FIA WTCR Female Driver Title, that will be introduced for 2021 season witch is the goal for the participation of women drivers on the championship.

The 2021 WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup schedule includes a visit to Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife from June 3-5 and both Michelle and Mike Halder have previous knowledge of the legendary track, which measures a daunting 25.378 kilometres in length. “It’s an incredible track and of course it would be nice to drive at one of the tracks we know,” said Michelle Halder. “I hope it will be possible for us to be there.” , in FIA WTCR Press Release

The Glickenhaus SCG003c race at the 2019 ADAC TOTAL 24h-Rennen Nürburgring

The Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003c made its last run at the 24h Nürburgring 2019. It was class winner and 9th overall making the "Fastest Lap" in 8m and 19,67s

The SCG003c made a fantastic race, the golden light of the Nürburgring brought results, the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus ran 2nd overall for awhile.

The amazing exit of the "Karussell" of the SCG003c showing the consistent fast laps…

Ricardo Teodósio/José Teixeira campeões CPR 2019

A dupla Ricardo Teodósio/José Teixera sagraram-se campeões do #CPR2019 no Rali Casinos do Algarve.

Após ter subido ao Rali do Vidreio na região de Leiria, o segundo lugar na último prova chegou para levar o Skoda Fabia R5 preparado pela ARC Sport ao culminar de um ano de vitórias e conquistas que no fim deram o resultado à muito tão desejado.

Muitos parabéns...

Alex Albon, from the little kid in GP3 to the young man at F1

Alex Albon is the latest news in the F1 world. The opportunity was just mind blowing to Albon like a ride in a F1 car at full speed trough Eau Rouge, no doubt.

Here’s Alex Albon during a test day at Estoril Circuit for the GP3 2016 season. The vey same circuit were Ayrton Senna made is first win in Formula 1.

And know the big news is that Alex Albon is going to be Max Verstappen next team partner in the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team, just right in time for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

For sure all Thailand will be with the eyes on the live transmission to see Alex Albon racing.

...o Raid Alentejano.

De regresso ao Alentejo para mais uma edição do Raid TT Ferraria. Prova iniciada já lá vão 32 edições, pelo Clube Ferraria (CCRD Ferraria) e que cedo começou a ganhar espectro nacional, contando nos dias de hoje como prova do Campeonato Nacional de Todo-Terreno.

Uma das grandes desistências, foi Roberto Borrego. Favorito à vitória em mais uma edição do Raid TT Ferraria, terminando o primeiro dia de prova no segundo lugar

decorria o quilometro 17 e o motor da Yamaha YFZ 450 R “calava-se”.

O calor abrasador que se fez sentir no fim de semana da prova, foi “combatido” pela velocidade dos participantes, bem como com o jogo de sombras para quem acompanhou a prova.

A dupla Ricardo Alves Domingues/Pedro Cunha em Can-Am XRS ficou no TOP 15 no final do fim de semana de prova.

Ainda nos SSV a dupla João Dias/Carlos Jorge Mendes em Can-Am X3 ultrapassou um “pequeno” contra-tempo no primeiro dia de prova, mas uma prova de luta e o que de melhor o desporto mostra #nãodesiste e levaram até o Can-Am X3 da SGS Car Racing até da etapa.

A Husqvarna FE 450 de Bruno Santos deu-lhe a vitória após várias trocas de líder do XXXII Raid Ferraria.

Pedro Santinho Mendes em Can-Am Maverick da Can-Am Offroad Portugal lidera o Campeonato Nacional, terminado a prova do passado fim de semana no segundo lugar do pódio.

WRX -1 ... Audi is OUT

2018 is the final year for Official Audi in the WRX. Dieter Gass, Head of Audi Sport is focus in the DTM and Formula E.

"We are involved in Formula E so we already do have a programme in electric motorsport, even though we were very interested in the EWRX, [but] at the end of the day it came very much down to a choice between DTM and EWRX" said Gass to Motorsport.com

With this withdraw from Audi with Mattias Ekstrom’s EKS team’s in 2019, Dieter Gass said “I really appreciate the work we have done with Andreas and his performances we have seen,”

“If there is anything we could do, I would love to carry on working with him.” Still the WRX has 5 rounds left “( ... ) We carry on developing and we go full pull until the end of the season, I do still hope we manage to win a race or more races until the end of the season.”said Gass to Motorsport.com

in http://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/audi-to-end-world-rallycross-programme/3167987/?nrt=210

Esteban Guerrieri rides the "Eau Rouge" adventure with Castrol Honda Racing

Estaban Guerrieri will be at the 24 Hours of Spa joining Bertrand Baguette completing the Castrol Honda Racing team line-up.

After achieving the podium in the WTCR Race of Portugal after the "Big Crash" on the streets of Vila Real, Guerrieri takes his debut to the amazing Total 24h of Spa in late July.

Making a amazing result as his Honda Civic Type R TCR after the damages in the original incident, the team of mechanics fixed the car in record time for the race.

Guerrieri Honda official driver will race an NSX GT3, derived from Honda’s next-generation 3.5-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 supercar in the Blancpain Endurance Series’.
Honda technical partner JAS Motorsport will run the team as part of the NSX GT3 Customer Racing Programme.

Esteban Guerrieri said: “Ever since I first saw the NSX GT3 in Macau last year – and sat in it – I knew I wanted to race it. I’ve been able to do that recently in ADAC GT Masters, but to be given the opportunity to race at an event as prestigious as the 24 Hours of Spa – one of the greatest circuits in the world – is a great honour and I am very grateful to Honda and Castrol for involving me in this exciting project. Compared to a TCR, the GT3 is a lot more powerful, has a more advanced electronic package and is a very different driving experience. I am really looking forward to it.”

in Castrol Honda Racing Press Release

After the heat of the WTCR right to the "Eau Rouge" during 24h of pure racing...

The Norma M30-NISSAN of Duqueine Engineering at ELMS

The last weekend of European Le Mans Series was at a "new" racetrack. It was the return to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve since the 2011, Le Mans Series - Algarve 1000 Km

The Duqueine Engineering was present with 2 cars at LMP3, with the rain present for several times during the test day, the qualification and race day the sun was king at the Algarve.

The qualification ended with P9 place for the #8 car and P10 was the final result after the race. The #8 car bring it's first points.

F1 has a new kid at the playground...

Once upon a time, the year was 2016 and it was GP3 #testdays at Estoril Circuit, Portugal. There was a young boy called Charles Leclerc driver of ART Grand Prix team. By the end of 2016 he was the top driver and champion of GP3. By 2017 he was the F2 champion;

#tM18 Tiago Monteiro 2017 WTCC driver of the year / #tM18 Tiago Monteiro, eleito piloto do ano no WTCC

"Tiago Monteiro foi eleito "Piloto do Ano" pela imprensa que habitualmente acompanha do WTCC. O piloto português que viu a sua época e título comprometidos devido a um grave acidente, vê assim o seu esforço reconhecido com esta distinção meritória."

Tiago Monteiro awarded 'Driver of the Year' by the WTCC press members. The Portuguese driver saw the season and WTCC title compromised, suffering serious injury in a high-speed testing crash in September. Sees its effort recognized with this meritorious distinction by the end of 2017.

"Um prémio que deixa Tiago bastante sensibilizado: "Fico feliz com este troféu. Claro que gostava mais de ter ganho o Campeonato, mas fico muito sensibilizado pela forma como estes jornalistas avaliaram o meu trabalho sabendo que não tive hipótese de continuar a correr. São estes pequenos detalhes que me fazem continuar focado na recuperação e com o regresso em mente. Um obrigado especial a todos aqueles que votaram e que continuam a acreditar no meu trabalho", referiu."

A prize that makes Tiago quite sensitized "I'm very happy with this trophy. Of course I would like winning the championship, though I'm very sensitized by the way these journalists judge my work, knowing that I had no chance to continue racing. It is these small details that keep me focused in my recovery and with the return in mind. A special thanks to all those who voted and who continue to believe in my work" he says.

"A votação ficou a cargo de cerca de 50 jornalistas de 18 países distintos."

Around 50 journalists from 18 different countries took part in the vote.

in, Tiago Monteiro's Press Release

Thed Björk to be the 1st Swedish WTCC driver Champion

Thed Björk was crowned the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Champion and 1st Swedish Champion at this amazing Championship. Amongst this prize, Björk lead Volvo and Polestar Cyan Racing to the FIA World Touring Car Champion Manufacturer.

Björk will be the very last FIA World Touring Car Champion has for 2018 the WTCC will be renamed the FIA World Touring Car Cup.

See you guys there...

The amazing TF Sport 2017 Season finale at Portugal.

A fantastic season for the TF Sport team, crossing in 2017. The 2017 season ended up in Portugal at the amazing carrousel of Autodromo International Algarve #AIA.

Nicki Thiim made the best of the 3 drivers, starting P5 for the final round. A new race track for ELMS championship, a new carrousel and a fantastic weather that the south of Portugal always gives us.

Hard fight with the #77 Porsche of Proton Competition and what a race it was from the TF Sport guys, the Aston Martin Vantage was just pedal to the metal. A third place on the final race wasn't enough for the BIG finale everybody wanted. TF Sport Director said "...has been a tough, difficult but ultimately a successful campaign in the ELMS...", "We pushed as hard as we could with very good drivers, but sometimes you can only do what you do. Congratulations to the team, it’s been a great year and one we are very proud of.”

Well done guys...and see you in 2018.

JAS and their "New Sportscar eXperimental"

JAS Motorsport launched a few months later this year, the all-new Honda NSX GT3 Customer Racing Programme by the Japanese manufacturer.

The NSX GT3 has been designed by Honda R&D in Japan in collaboration with JAS Motorsport. 12 cars are being produced to be ready for the start of the 2018 race season.

The NSX GT3 is already eligible to race in most of the FIA-sanctioned events all around the world.

Spa for TF Sport, We are the Champions!

TF Sport made a 2nd solid place at the Total 24 Hours of Spa, one of the most amazing and challenging 24 Hours races in the world.

TF Sport is Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup winners with one round remaining… The #97 Aston Martin V12 GT3 is making a fantastic journey trough out the entire championship. The second position in class after no less than 539 laps of the Spa Francorchamps circuit, 15th overall is just a solid team work and effort. The final round of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup approaches and it takes place in Barcelona, September 30 to October 1.

WTCC 2017 and the joker lap.

The WTCC 2017 Portuguese round at Vila Real is just getting closer and the new game changer...I mean, the "joker lap" starts on the streets of the fantastic Circuit of Vila Real.

In the meantime, I leave you with some 2016 memories and what memories. Take a look,

Niko Kari, Red Bull Junior Team GP3 adventure

They've return one last time.

That's right...for the last time the ELMS crew are returning to Estoril Circuit, the very one and only place where Ayrton Senna made is 1st victory at the wheel of the Lotus (nostalgic moment, sorry about that).

In 2017 the ELMS will be doing the Algarve "carrousel", new challenges and adventures awaits, but lets see for now what the 2016 edition will brings us.

The International Estoril,

The first round of International GT Open took place at Estoril Circuit, Portugal. Rain and sunny days for the weekend and lots of racing. Take look...

The WTCC, Tiago Monteiro #18 and the streets of Vila Real

The WTCC change is Portuguese round...and what a circuit. The Vila Real street circuit, is fast, it makes you fear it, but what it is really is the smiles and adrenaline it brings to the drivers of WTCC.

Bennani starting the crazy downhill with "Casa de Mateus" vineyard as background.

The Lada Sport team wasn't easy. "Huffy" was the only one to fishing both races, his teammates damaged the cars on Race 2.

Yvan Muller made it achieved 2nd place on the bumpy Race 2 that gave him chances to fight for 1st on the championship at the time.

The always fantastic Tom Coronel Chevrolet make the portuguese crowd go crazy with the 2 wheels thought the curbs at "Boque".

Loeb misfortune or extra confidence put him out of Race 2.

Tarquini bring some points to Honda and to himself with P3 on Race 2.

Tiago Monteiro #18 was super happy, the Portuguese fans were happy and Vila Real was bursting with joy. Everyone was already seeing him at the podium for the final race...

The colors of Honda were the focus of crowd. Tiago, Tiago the crowd was cheering him up when the Honda Civic WTCC passes by.

And up they go, Tiago and Tarquini giving their best for a great result the Honda.

Tiago who made 5th place on Race 1 and a great qualifying for Race 2, knows that Vila Real his almost impossible to overtake and takes it pedal to the metal on the start of Race 2. No more than 200m where made...the 1st place was just so near but both Lada "close their doors". That once happy crowd and ancious just made silence, Tiago was out of the race. Everyone's dream had just collapse. Better next time, this his racing.

José Maria López won Race 1 and the championship as well. Most consistent driver along with the rest of the Citroen drivers/cars.

Congratulations to you José Maria López | Muitos parabéns José Maria López

ELMS rush hours returns to Portugal

An old circuit that lives again, that was the simple way I saw the Estoril Circuit. Remembering the old F1 days full of fans and huge crowds filling the gaps between the seat in front of the grid.

The weekend was very different thought the pratice, qualification and race day, changing from rain to a hot sunny autumn sunday.

The Portuguese fans were anxious for the home drivers to get the best result possible, but of course the top of the podium was in everybody's head.
Faísca the new comer from the GT Academy who someone stole his new helmet and had to drive with a german livery from a fellow driver of his.

.Filipe Albuquerque that was more anxious that anybody else. A win could give him and his team the championship.

On the GTC category Team BMW Sport Trophy Marc VDS won the race has a 1st timer at Estoril.

MSA Performance Matmut with a beautiful Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (997) livery,

The big winner last year was the Alpine A450b of Signatech Alpine "Paul Loup Chatin/Nelson Panciatici/Oliver Webb", against some stop and go and a drive through penalties.