Creventic Announces Endurance Street Race at Vila Real

24H Series organizer Creventic has announced plans to stage a two-part, six-hour endurance race on the streets of Vila Real in Portugal this summer.

The non-championship 6H Vila Real is scheduled to take place on July 14-16, one week after the points-paying 12H Estoril.

Creventic’s first endurance street race will consist of two three-hour segments across Saturday and Sunday and is open to teams competing in the GT and TCE classes.

The 2.9-mile, 24-turn Vila Real track is best known for hosting touring car races including rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship and more recently FIA WTCR.

It also held international sports car races in the 1960s and 1970s using a different configuration to the current one.

“We are always looking for ways to expand our horizons for our competitors and our fans, as we’ve proven at many of the most celebrated racing venues around the world,” said Helen Roukens from Creventic team relations.

“So to be given the chance to host an endurance event at one of Portugal’s most charismatic street circuits is a great opportunity for Creventic and our teams, many of whom we are confident will be excited to make this step with us.

“We’d like to thank the management team at the Circuito Internacional de Vila Real for their help making the 6H Vila Real a reality.”

Mayor of Vila Real Rui Santos added: “Vila Real has established itself as one of the most exciting and competitive urban circuits in the world.

“Despite having held car races since 1931, the last few years, with the FIA WTCC and WTCR, have put our circuit on everyone’s scope.

“After the sprint races with TCR cars, we think this is the time to receive GTs and remember the endurance races that took place here in the 1970s.

“We found in Creventic a fantastic partner and we look forward to welcoming thousands and thousands of people in July, at the biggest race event ever in Vila Real.”

Creventic has stated that it is open to considering the 6H Vila Real as a future 24H Series points-paying round.