This weekend, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will gather a total of 39 teams, made up of 170 drivers, in what will be the 23rd edition of the 24H of Barcelona-Trofeo Fermí Vélez. The race is still part of the 24H Series calendar, an international competition that puts the best GTs and touring cars on the international scene to the test.
This 2022, the legendary endurance race has almost 20% more participants than last year’s edition. This increase is not only visible in the total number of entries, but the internationalisation of the race is also increasing year after year. Teams from 20 different countries did not want to skip the event: Germany (8), Belgium (4), Spain (3), Switzerland (3), Denmark (2), France (2), Andorra (2), Lithuania (2), Thailand (2), Canada (1), Italy (1), USA (1), Luxembourg (1), Netherlands (1). Romania (1), Korea (1), Czech Republic (1), United Kingdom (1), Malaysia (1) and United Arab Emirates (1).
The local participation, one of the largest, will be defended by Baporo Motorsport with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup driven by Manel Lao, Jaume Font and Daniel Díaz Varela. The E2P Racing team is also fielding a purely national combination, with Pablo Burguera, Manuel Cintrano, Jaime Garcia, Antonio Sainero and Javier Morcillo, with the same unit as Baporo. The other entry in the touring car division is Rail Equip by Totcar Sport. Jorge Belloc Díaz, Jorge Belloc Ruiz, Álvaro Rodríguez and Alba Cano will take on the challenge with the Cupra TCR DSG. On the other hand, Francesc Gutiérrez – the only driver who has taken part in all the editions – will drive for the Vortex V8 team.
Leaving aside the home teams, among the international teams, Phoenix Racing, leader of the standings, with Michael Doppelmayr, Pierre Kaffer, Elia Erhart and Swen Herberger in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, stands out. The second-placed CP Racing (Charles Putman, Charles Espenlaub, Joe Foster, Shane Lewis – Mercedes AMG GT3) should also be highlighted. The North American team was on the podium at the last edition of the 24H of Barcelona – Trofeo Fermí Vélez as well.
To talk about outstanding results in the endurance race is to talk about Herberth Motorsport. The German team always finds a way to be in the leading positions, as their track record shows. Victories in 2016, 2018 and 2021, as well as a second place in 2019. This time, Daniel Allemann, Ralf Bohn, Alfred Renauer, Robert Renauer and Jürgen Häring will be at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
In the touring car division, BBR has plenty of options. The Thai team assisted by Monlau Motul Technical School leads the points table and will try to continue its upward trend in Barcelona. Moreover, it will do it with two cars, the Cupra León Competición TCR and the Cupra TCR DSG.
Wolf-Power Racing arrives with the 2021 victory in their minds. Jasmin Preisig, Ivars Vallers, Marion Menden and Rob Huff will try to take the Audi RS3 LMS TCR to the top again, although it won’t be easy, as they are competing for the 2022 crown with BBR and Holmgaard Motorsport.
Sports programme
The 24H of Barcelona-Trofeo Fermí Vélez will be the highlight of the weekend – which this year has a new start time (01:00 p.m.) – but not the only one. The meeting will bring together other competitions such as Speed Euroseries, Alpine Elf Europa Cup and Super Seven by Toyo Tyres. All these championships will hold a total of six races, preceded by their respective free and official test rounds.
Activities
Over and above the sporting events, fans will be able to enjoy a Fan Zone with something for all tastes and ages, turning the 24H Barcelona – Trofeo Fermín Vélez into a real festival, day and night. An electric go-kart track, simulators, live music, a children’s area and many hours of fun ahead.
Tickets available
Fans have at their disposal two-day passes to experience the magic of the 24H of Barcelona -Trofeo Fermí Vélez as they wish. This ticket is priced at 10 euros and can be purchased at www.circuitcat.com. In addition, the ticket includes access to the paddock to meet the protagonists of the weekend.