The event organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) is one of the most emblematic endurance races in Europe, thanks to its unique characteristics and the atmosphere that comes to life over four days. It will be a marathon of 1,440 uninterrupted minutes, bringing together different generations of drivers – several teams are made up of family members. Among the competitors are seasoned national and international off-road specialists with high-performance machines, but also amateur drivers with less experience, competing behind the wheel of simple 4x4 vehicles. In addition to the Portuguese, there are participants from France, with 22 teams, as well as from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
During the 24 hours, drivers give everything they have, day and night, on a demanding course with several “hot spots”. To ensure maximum safety, 47 marshal posts are distributed along the 16.2 km circuit. Outside the track, off-road enthusiasts live the event intensely, turning it into a constant celebration. The 24 Horas TT Vila de Fronteira is truly a sporting and popular phenomenon.
The first edition took place in 1998 and has maintained its format ever since, which explains its success. The race is held on a dirt circuit perfectly suited for endurance competition. The course is demanding and can become even more challenging if rain appears, as seen in recent years. Night-time is a magical moment for the drivers.
The bp Ultimate 24 Horas TT Vila de Fronteira features vehicles in the following FIA categories: Ultimate, Stock, Challenger and SSV. There are also five ACP Promotion categories. Each team may consist of 3, 4 or 5 drivers, with each driving stint limited to a maximum of 3 hours, and with a minimum rest period of 1 hour between stints.
From a sporting perspective, there is great curiosity to see whether the Portuguese teams can dethrone the French, who have won the last ten editions, many of them with prototypes specifically designed for endurance racing. The Portuguese-French squad of Mário Andrade / Cédric Duple / Yann Morize / Nicola Cassiede is among the favourites with their AC Nissan Proto. They won last year and hold the record for victories in Fronteira (9). Tiago Reis, a three-time national off-road champion, will be driving the MMP Buggy of Laurent Polleti with victory in mind — the French team already won in 2022. A strong highlight goes to the Portuguese team of Luís Cidade / João Monteiro / Mário Franco / Pedro Santinho Mendes, who will be fighting for the top positions in their Can-Am Maverick. In a 24-hour race, speed alone is not enough — mechanical preservation becomes crucial as the track deteriorates, so strategy and risk management are equally important in the quest to win Europe’s most famous endurance race.
There is also a fully female team: Beatriz Assunção / Carolina Santos / Bianca Silva / Paula Moura / Marina Reisinho, competing in a Can-Am. French driver Yves Morize, aged 81, returns to Portugal to take part in this classic event with an MMP prototype.
Among the 80 participating cars, several stand out for their uniqueness, such as the Renault 4L, Mercedes 300 D Limousine, Peugeot 504 Pick-up and the UMM Alter Turbo, still a legendary model in Portuguese off-road culture.
The ACP-organised event also includes the bp Ultimate 4 Horas SSV Vila de Fronteira, held under the authority of the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation (FMP). A total of 31 teams are registered, and another thrilling race is expected, with the spectacular SSVs (Side by Side Vehicles) driven by some of the best competitors in the category. Teams are composed of 1, 2 or 3 drivers, and vehicles are divided into three categories: SSV, SSV TT2 and SSV Stock.
Luís Cidade (Can-Am Maverick) will compete solo, aiming to repeat last year’s victory. Among his strongest rivals are João Dias / Arnaldo Monteiro (Polaris RZR Pro) and Tiago Pinto (Can-Am Maverick). The race takes place on Saturday and precedes the start of the main marathon.
As in previous years, the 27th bp Ultimate 24 Horas TT Vila de Fronteira will feature three Spectator Zones, where the public can safely watch the race unfold. These areas will include food stands and restrooms. A camping zone will also be available.
Source: ACP Motorsport
Photos: ImagensDesportivas.pt
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