The fourth round of the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge will take place this weekend in Portugal. This is the last step before the circus comes back to Italy for the weekend of 23 October and the great celebration that is the Ferrari World Finals.

This weekend the Historic Challenge drivers will be battling it out on the Estoril circuit for the first time in the championship. Situated on the Atlantic coast close to Lisbon, the track is steeped in motor-racing history. It hosted the Grand Prix of Portugal between 1984 and 1996.


The surface here is always slippery owing to the sand transported by the ocean winds that continally blow through the complex. The drive is a demanding one, especially when straying off the ideal line when overtaking.

In the past the most testing stretch of the circuit were the first and last curves, both long, fast bends that put the set up thorough a examination. In the past, the driver needed real physical strength to deal with these sections. Today, the design has been modified but, nonetheless, estoril cannot be said to be an easier circuit to drive. It is still a technically demanding track that calls for a precise racing line.

Overtaking is possible at a number of points, among them the braking point at the end of the long main straight. The corner also features a rapid downhill section.



There will be numerous Ferrari jewels lining up on the grid. Six short-wheelbase 250 GT Berlinettas will appear, one of them driven by José Albuquerque. There will be a strong British presence in the C class, mainly due to the return of cars prepared by Tim Samways' Sporting and Historic Cars. Peter Hardman (Ferrari Dino 246 S) are two of the men who will be in the driving seat. Leventis owns as his car and is not just behind the wheel for this occasion.

The duel between Prancing Horse and Trident cars will again be ignited in the A and B class. The traditional tussle will be palyed out once more in Portugal.



The Ferrari Maserti Historic Challenge is part of the PT Estoril Historic Festival. The event opens on Friday with all the free practice and qualifying session.