Circuito Internacional de Vila Real, Street Circuit

The Circuito Internacional de Vila Real is a temporary street circuit in the wine-making town of Vila Real in northern Portugal, perched on a hillside above the Rio Corgo. Racing first took place here in 1931, making it the historic heart of Portuguese motorsport, and over the decades the event survived two world wars, political upheaval and the loss of its international licence in the 1970s. The original layout was a fast and perilous run of around seven kilometres that crossed two bridges over sheer drops to the river and was bisected by railway level crossings. After a long dormant period the race was revived in 2007 on a shortened course that removed the river crossings while keeping the fast sweepers past the Mateus Palace. National touring car racing returned in 2014, and the following year Vila Real finally hosted a true World Championship event as a round of the World Touring Car Championship. When the WTCC became the WTCR in 2018 the circuit retained its place on the calendar as an annual fixture. The modern street layout is fast and demanding, running close to the barriers through the hillside town, and remains a firm favourite with fans and drivers alike.

Operated by: Associação Promotora do Circuito Internacional de Vila Real