Circuit Ricardo Tormo hosted 10 Caterham Motorsport races in Cheste over the weekend, featuring more than 120 cars from the Portuguese and French championships.
The event highlighted the classic Caterham “Seven” model and drew spectators to a packed two-day program of endurance and sprint races.
The competition began Friday with private practice, qualifying sessions, and three initial races. Saturday delivered the busiest schedule with seven contests, including the main endurance race, offering fans a full day of international motorsport action in Valencia.
Main Race and Endurance Highlights
The Caterham SS660 Endurance was the centerpiece of the weekend, ending with a victory for Portuguese drivers Bernardo Gonzalez and Diogo Lopes. After more than two hours of racing, they crossed the finish line seven seconds ahead of brothers Pedro Marreiros and José María Marreiros. Miguel Praia and Bruno Correira secured third place to complete an all-Portuguese podium.
The endurance race garnered particular attention for its intense competition and sustained pace, showcasing both the cars’ performance and the teams’ strategy. The narrow winning margin underscored the intensity of the contest and the depth of talent among the competitors.
Category Results and International Competition
In the 420R category of the Iberian championship, Tomás Teixeira and Jose Joao Oliveira shared the victories, with Teixeira winning two races and Oliveira taking one. The French championship saw David Leguem claim both races, achieving a double triumph across the weekend.
The 340R category brought together the French, Iberian, and Ladies Cup competitions, producing the largest grids of the event with up to 35 cars. France’s Livio Mariotta won the first race, followed by Portugal’s Anthony Ghibau in the second. Rubén Ferreira of Portugal took victory in the third race, while Bernardo Bello, also from Portugal, won the final contest.
The Ladies Cup added another dimension to the weekend. Portugal’s Mariana Posser de Andrade emerged as the standout driver, taking top honors and confirming her status as one of the leading female competitors in the Caterham series.
International Motorsport Atmosphere
The mix of French and Portuguese entries created an international atmosphere at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. Fans witnessed head-to-head competition between drivers from both countries, highlighting the depth and diversity of Caterham Motorsport across Europe. The strong turnout and competitive fields emphasized the appeal of the series among grassroots and semi-professional racers.
Officials noted that the format of the event, combining endurance and sprint races, provided variety for both participants and spectators. The inclusion of multiple categories allowed for different levels of driver experience and performance, keeping the racing schedule dynamic throughout the weekend.
The Caterham “Seven,” a model with a long-standing reputation in motorsport, remained the central attraction. Its presence reinforced the heritage of lightweight, high-performance racing that continues to attract competitors and fans alike. The accessibility of the series makes it a unique fixture in European motorsport.
Looking Ahead
With the Caterham Motorsport weekend completed, Circuit Ricardo Tormo now prepares for its next event. The track will host Racing Weekend on Oct. 18 and 19, continuing its calendar of international and national motorsport competitions. Organizers expect another strong attendance as fans return for a diverse lineup of races.
The Caterham weekend demonstrated the circuit’s capacity to host multi-race international events while providing a platform for both emerging and established drivers. For the Portuguese competitors, in particular, the results underscored their dominance across multiple categories.
As Caterham Motorsport continues to expand its reach, events like the one in Cheste confirm the series’ place in the European motorsport landscape. The combination of international competition, accessible racing platforms, and iconic cars positions it as a recurring highlight in the circuit’s annual schedule.
The success of the weekend has reinforced Circuit Ricardo Tormo’s role as a hub for high-profile motorsport events in Spain. With more competitions on the horizon, the venue continues to attract teams, drivers, and fans from across Europe, sustaining its reputation as a premier motorsport destination.
Photo credit: Caterham Motorsport
