Local drivers join the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour in Vila Real

Three Portuguese drivers will join the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour field this weekend in Vila Real: Daniel Teixeira, Michel Fernandes and Manuel Fernandes jr.

Teixeira, 38 years old, has several seasons of TCR racing under his belt, having raced regularly in the Campeonato de Portugal de Velocidade and making occasional appearances in TCR Europe and TCR Spain. He will drive a Hyundai Elantra N for the JT59 Racing Team.

The 42-year-old Michel Fernandes too has successfully raced TCR cars, mainly in hillclimbing events. His car is a Peugeot 308 run by the Luxembourg-based outfit J. Santos Competicão.

For Manuel Fernandes jr, 31 years old, the event will mark his TCR debut, at the wheel of the third CUPRA Leon VZ entered by SP Compétition alongside those of World Tour regulars John Filippi and Aurélien Comte.

Vila Real is Fernandes' hometown, and he has raced many times on the street circuit, taking part in national and historical events.

Picture: TCR Europe