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Portuguese MotoGP
Some useful information for the Grande Prémio de Portugal race weekend in Portimão
The Algarve MotoGP
Nestled in the beautiful setting of Portugal’s Algarve, the 90,000 capacity Autódromo Internacional do Algarve – known more colloquially as Portimão, after the port city it sits half an hour outside – was opened on 02 November 2008. The circuit was inaugurated by WorldSBK when they headed to Portugal for their final round of that season – but it’s not just a racetrack. The Algarve Motorsports Park is a state-of-the-art complex which boasts the stunning race track, a go-kart track, an off-road park, a hotel, an apartment complex, a technology park and a sports complex.
Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is a picturesque and traditional Portuguese resort town, which is situated along a stunning coastline of golden beaches and dramatic natural scenery. The beach area where many of the bars and restaurants are situated and the Carvoeiro Boardwalk are just 4km from the Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort. Bicycle rental is available in the local area for those wanting to explore further this stunning part of the Algarve coastline (there are some BIG hills, however!), and taxis are plentiful and cheap.
There is also a handful of restaurants in Sesmaries, close to our hotel.
Information for your stay
Check in at the Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort is from 16:00, and check out on your final day is before 12:00. If you arrive before or leave after these times, you can leave your luggage with the hotel.
Breakfast is served from 07:30-10:30 each morning, however on Saturday they will open early for us at 07:00.
Circuit Transfer Information
Vale d'Oliveiras Quinta
Saturday
Depart hotel – 07:30
Depart circuit – 16:30
Sunday
Depart hotel – 08:15
Depart circuit – 16:00
The coach will depart from the hotel gates
You do not need a voucher for your circuit transfers.
Please ensure you’re ready and waiting 5 minutes before the stated times, as the coach will leave promptly so we don’t hold up other customers.
If everyone is back on the coach early, we will leave the circuit as soon as everyone is on board.
On SATURDAY & SUNDAY the coach will pick up and drop off from the same place at the Autodromo do Algarve. Please take note of the location when we arrive at the circuit in the morning on both days. We will depart from the same location. Do leave enough time to get from your grandstand or hospitality area to the coach. If everyone is back on the coach early, we will leave the circuit as soon as everyone is on board.
Autodromo do Algarve
Our MST team member Craig will be on hand at the hotel and the circuit over the weekend. He will also be accompanying the coach transfers, should you need anything. You can also contact us via the two telephone numbers at the foot of this information guide, should you need to.
If you are not at the coach pick up point by the stated departure time, and you have not made us aware you’re not taking the coach transfer (either in person to Craig, or via the telephone number at the foot of this information guide), we will assume you will make your own way, which will be at your own cost.
Friday Schedule
09:00 – 09:35
Moto3 Free Practice 1
09:50 – 10:30
Moto2 Free Practice 1
10:45 – 11:30
MotoGP Free Practice 1
13:15 – 13:50
Moto3 Free Practice 2
14:05 – 14:45
Moto2 Free Practice 2
15:00 – 16:00
MotoGP Free Practice 2
Saturday Schedule
08:40 – 09:10
Moto3 Free Practice 3
09:25 – 09:55
Moto2 Free Practice 3
10:10 – 10:40
MotoGP Free Practice 3
10:50 – 11:05
MotoGP Qualifying 1
11:15 – 11:30
MotoGP Qualifying 2
12:50 – 13:05
Moto3 Qualifying 1
13:15 – 13:30
Moto3 Qualifying 2
13:45 – 14:00
Moto2 Qualifying 1
14:10 – 14:25
Moto2 Qualifying 2
15:00
MotoGP Sprint Race
Sunday Schedule
09:45 – 09:55
MotoGP Warm Up
10:00
MotoGP Rider Fan Parade
11:00
Moto3 Race (21 Laps)
12:15
Moto2 Race (23 Laps)
14:00
MotoGP Race (25 Laps)
Please note that all times are local times and are subject to change without notification by the FIM, Dorna Sports S.L. and the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. For up-to-date times, please click here
IF THERE IS A DELAY OR SCHEDULE CHANGE ON SATURDAY: the coach will leave the circuit 45 minutes after the MotoGP Sprint Race finishes (i.e. 45 minutes after the winner has crossed the line). If there is any extended or rolling delay without confirmed restart times that may affect the coach departure time, we will keep you updated via Craig and via the email and phone number we have on your booking.
IF THERE IS A DELAY OR SCHEDULE CHANGE TO THE RACE ON SUNDAY: the coach will leave the circuit 45 minutes after the MotoGP Race finishes (i.e. 45 minutes after the winner has crossed the line). If there is any extended or rolling delay without confirmed restart times that may affect the coach departure time, we will keep you updated via Craig and via the email and phone number we have on your booking.
Saturday Drink?
Fancy joining us for a drink from 19:30 on Saturday night? Join us at Luisa’s Place located in Sesmarias, 450m from the Vale de Lapa Resort & 1.8km from the Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta. The first round, as always, is on us. For those wishing to have dinner, just click here to download their menu.
Luisa’s Place, Urbanização das Sesmarias 89, 8400-565 Carvoeiro, Portugal
Our Hints & Tips
Security staff may conduct bag checks at the gates and for safety reasons, the following items are prohibited: bags over 20 litre capacity; glass bottles and glass containers; BBQs; restricted and illegal substances; offensive weapons; items that are deemed dangerous, offensive or unsuitable; drones or remote controlled aircraft; step ladders or any similar item which may obstruct another attendees view; lasers; fireworks/pyrotechnics; any item which might be subject to ambush marketing; smoke canisters; tents and shelters; four-wheel carry carts; powered scooters; electric cycles; sun parasols; excessive alcohol.
Marshals may remove bottle tops at the gates.
We always recommend bringing tissues or wipes and hand sanitiser to all race circuits.
Smoking is not permitted in the grandstands or at the circuit other than at the specified smoking areas.
Each Grandstand has its own specific entrance gate, listed as ‘Porta’ on your race ticket. You can only enter the circuit using the entrance gate for your grandstand. There are usually shuttle buses which run between the various entrance gates.
There is only one ATM at the circuit, which is outside the main gates close to the Accreditation Centre, however you can pay at the food & merchandise stalls using a card or cash.
If you wish to leave the circuit and return, please make sure you are scanned in and out. by. the marshals.
The circuit is quite exposed and there is little shade/cover other than the Main Grandstand, so we recommend bringing layers of clothes that you can add and remove as required, a hat and a good waterproof, just in case. March can be chilly up in the mountains near the circuit, so bet to be prepared.
Binoculars are a great idea.
Visitors are not permitted to make/create/store/record or transmit any sound recording or audio visual footage of the event for any commercial purposes. Personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras or hand held personal communication devices are allowed as long as the images are for private, personal and non commercial use.
UK Office Number
+44 207 183 2022
Emergency Number
+44 207 183 8960
Please note our 24-hour emergency number will be available over the race weekend when our main office is closed. Please leave a message, clearly stating your name, reference number and contact number and we will call you back.
Office Hours are 09:00-17:30 Monday to Thursday, 09:00-16:00 on Fridays, and CLOSED on Saturday and Sunday.
Please note that any messages left on our main office number when we are closed will not be picked up until we reopen on Monday morning, and the same applies to any emails sent. For this reason we recommend you save our emergency number +44 207 183 8960 to your phone.
