Vila Real, Portugal, July 4, 2025 (Lusa) - The Vila Real International Circuit, which uses the city streets as its track, kicks off on Friday with around 170 drivers, 500 volunteers, concerts, and attracts visitors, representing “more economy” with hotels and restaurants “full”.
“When we talk about the circuit, we focus on more than the sporting and entertainment aspects; we highlight the identity and profile of Vila Real, and we promote the economy and tourism,” the mayor, Alexandre Favaios, told the Lusa news agency today.
The mayor said that the impact of the circuit is “visible and concrete” as it fills hotels, restaurants and cafés, boosts trade and attracts thousands of visitors.
The 54th edition of the circuit, which runs until Sunday, coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Vila Real’s elevation to city status and marks the return of international races through the TCR World Tour, which replaced the World Touring Car Cup.
For Alexandre Favaios, the racing weekend represents precisely the “elevation of the spirit of Vila Real”.
Car racing had its first motor race in 1931, and organisers have held it continuously since 2014.
The 4.6-kilometre track, with 24 corners, runs along the avenues of Europa and Osnabruck, follows a section of road 322, and descends along the streets of Vasco Sameiro (Mateus straight) and Casimiro de Oliveira.
During the races, these streets are closed to traffic, while other streets in the city have modified access.
The emergency plan outlined for this edition includes night-time entertainment, as large crowds are expected to attend concerts by Xutos & Pontapés (today) and the English band James (Saturday).
On Carvalho Araújo Avenue, there is also a Wine & Food Circuit exhibition in the city centre, where wine producers and other typical regional products will be on display, including meats, covilhetes (a type of bread) and conventual sweets from Vila Real.
“It’s a complex, demanding process that will have some impact on traffic flow, which is why we have created four external car parks,” said Alexandre Favaios.
The free car parks are located at the entrances to the city in Fraga da Almotolia, the industrial area, the area surrounding the hospital and Monte da Forca. They offer a solution that allows visitors to leave their cars outside the urban area and access the centre via public transport, which is also free and has been specially reinforced for this purpose.
Authorities set up a command centre in the former Civil Government building in the city centre, and teams from various institutions, including mounted police, will be stationed there and ready to intervene quickly.
In terms of healthcare, the Vila Real International Circuit takes place over the weekend, and Health Centre Number 1 (USF Corgo) will provide the Complementary Care Service (SAC) in Mateus.
During these three days, the Trás-os-Montes city will host stages of the TCR World Tour, which replaced the World Touring Car Cup, the Portuguese Speed Championship, and the Portuguese Classic Car Championship, as well as a demonstration of supercars and the Porsche Club.
Alexandre Favaios said that around 170 drivers will compete throughout the races.
In addition to the official stands, motor sport enthusiasts will spread out around the track, some on improvised stands constructed from scaffolding, walls, balconies, or windows of houses.
The president of the Vila Real Automobile Club, Jorge Almeida, has already stated that the circuit will have 500 volunteers working on the track, including track marshals, pit crews, sports technicians, race officials, firefighters, doctors, and nurses.
PLI/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
