Last year saw an attempt to put together a 48 hour endurance race at Navarra – Ultimately that race didn’t happen – But the team behind it are back – and this time it’s ‘just’ 32 hours, this time it’s in Portugal at the Circuito de Algarve on December 12-14 and this time things appear to be on track for a run at what will be currently the longest circuit race on the planet.
With just over a month to go DSC caught up with the race organiser Jesus Diez de Villaroel.
Jesus has long success in the Spanish GT Championship on his cv, together with multiple starts at Le mans, Daytona, and in the International GT Open and FIA GT Championship.
This though is something different. We asked the questions and he answered them!
Maxi 48 didn’t happen – can you explain what happened there and how the revised 32 hour format emerged?
Our first race of 48 hours was far too expensive at the moment, in a global economic crisis. Thus we have proposed the first 32-hour race because the number of tires is limited and budgets are similar to these necessary for 24-hour races.
Launching a new endurance race can be a bit hit and miss – the provisional entry looks good – what would you be happy with in terms of an eventual entry?
In our first year our goal is to have between 20-35 cars. It´s worth mentioning that Le Mans in its first edition saw a field of 33 cars. Indianapolis, Targa Florio, etc… Anyway one thing is certain, this year the celebration of the Maxi Endurance is 100% sure independently of the number of cars taking part in this adventure on Portuguese soil.
Is there a multi year plan?
We have signed a 5-year agreement with the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve to celebrate Maxi Endurance in Portimao. The circuit is very eager to host this unique motorsport event all around the world, setting new endurance and reliability world records for 32 hours.
Would you like to hold more than one ‘extreme’ endurance event per year eventually?
As of yet, our target is to organize this 32-hour race in the Portuguese Algarve once a year and, if we are successful, we would like to hold another event even longer. Maybe in the US.
Do you see the format as an externally promotable/ marketable product or is the primary audience the enjoyment of the race participants?
To our mind, for many teams and drivers current 24-hour races challenges have been overcome and for that reason we have raised the bar to 32 hours. For those daring teams and drivers it´s a great opportunity to become part of history. As part of promotion and marketing strategy a 32-hour race is a very good argument for sponsors. But we are aware of how difficult is to get sponsorship right now, when the first edition is yet to take place. It´s an unique, pioneering event, with an adventurous spirit just like old 24- hour races, now real sprint ones.
What are the advantages of the longer format for participants and organisers?
It´s a worldwide challenge for our participants. Strategy will play a major role and it is going to be very important how you take care of your car to achieve the very best result. As promoters it´s a significant milestone and very encouraging because Maxi Endurance is an unique event to be held at one of the most exciting racing tracks in Europe. History is being written as we speak, breaking the 24-hour barrier.
And how do you hope that the event is remembered?
In the first edition of the Maxi Endurance 32 will take part the bravest teams and drivers, those to be remembered as pioneers setting new endurance world records. No fewer than 5 endurance and reliability world records are at stake, as there are five different classes in the race.
The Maxi Endurance 32 will appeal to a wide range of drivers and cars. Gentlemen drivers, amateurs, semi-professionals, even young guns participating in single-seater racing. CN prototypes are very suitable for single-seater and semi-professional drivers because Maxi Endurance 32 is a kind of Winter Test. Last but not least they could set a world record as well. For amateur and professional drivers there are a wide range of GT and touring cars.
This 32-hour challenge is a race of uncertain outcome, because our regulations have equaled, through maximum number of liters during refueling procedures, top GT cars and Prototypes. In theory both Prototype and GT cars will race for the win but if they experience any issues, either Cup or Sport participant could become dark horses in the race. The answer must be sought next December 14 at five o’clock, when the first edition of the longest race of the century will come to an end.
Our thanks to Jesus, and to Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 for his assistance with this item.
