The Sabesp sponsored driver makes his debut at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on April 13th
Driver Ricardo Gracia Filho has confirmed his new team for the 2024 Michelin Le Mans Cup. The Sao Paulo native will race for Team Virage alongside Paraguayan Oscar Bittar. The Polish team based in Valencia, Spain is the current champion of the event.
The season will consist of six races and will begin at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya on April 13th and end at the Circuito Internacional do Algarve on October 19th. The series is open to Le Mans prototypes in the LMP3 class and grand touring sports cars in the GT3 class.
At 19 years old and with a background in European motorsport, Ricardo Gracia Filho explains that the Le Mans Cup category has characteristics of resistance, different from Formula 4 single-seaters, where he competed for two seasons.
”Training was a little different at first, but I adapted well! I still have a lot to learn about the new car, from the driving style to the tire composition. I was more used to open top cars with less engine power and lighter weight and now they are LMP3 prototypes. with a more powerful engine,” said Ricardo Gracia Filho, who will be the only Brazilian in the category.
In the 2024 Michelin Le Mans Cup, races last approximately one and a half hours and each driver races for 55 minutes. The aim now is to preserve the car and save tires and fuel, unlike the sprint style of the category in which Ricardo Gracia Filho has competed in recent years.
”My goal is to become champion, as well as gain as much experience and the best results as possible. And in the future my goal is to become a professional motorsports driver,” added the driver sponsored through Sabesp’s sports incentives law.
The young driver started racing on the track at the age of six as a hobby together with his father, Ricardo Gracia. At eight years old Ricardinho played his first professional races in Sao Paulo and then at 14 in Europe.
Among the titles are: 3 times Brazilian karting champion (2015, 2017 and 2020), 2019 Copa Brasil de Kart champion, 2015 Paranaense Kart champion, Brazil Kart runner-up (16) and South champion Brazil 2017.
Phases
1st – Spain
Barcelona-Catalunya Montmeló – 13 April
2nd – France
Paul Ricard Le Castellet – 4 May
3rd – France
La Sarthe Le Mans, 14 and 15 June
4th – Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps Stavelot – 24 August
5th – Italy
Mugello Scarperia and San Piero – 28 September
6th – Portugal
Algarve Portimão International Circuit – 19 October
Sabesp Trophy
The Sabesp Trophy started this week at the Speed Park Kartódromo Internacional de Birigui, in the hinterland of São Paulo. The free event includes karting lessons and races for beginners.
In this phase the project will include theoretical and practical aspects on the track, as well as frontal lessons for children aged 13 and at least 1.55 m tall. The age limit is 18 years.
The project is implemented through the federal government’s sports incentives law, promoted by Speed Motor Clube with the support of Sabesp.
The event at the Speed Park, a temple of speed for professional drivers, amateurs and kart enthusiasts, will begin with basic instructions on the preparation of the single-seater and on safety. In the first meeting with the kart the students will receive training instructions to improve their guide and experts will collect training data for future instruction.
About Speed Park
With approximately 1.3 kilometers of track, the site offers more than 40 different tracks and a surface area of over 130 thousand square metres. The Speed Park – Kartódromo Internacional de Birigui is located in Rua Hagime Saita, 4.001, accessible via Rodovia Marechal Rondon, km 524 (between Birigui and Araçatuba). Parking and entry to the kart track are free.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
