Bigger. Wider. Meaner. Team Need For Speed's uprated BMW Z4 hit the track in anger for the first time since the Dubai 24 Hours at today's opening round of the 2011 FIA European GT3 Championship.
Here at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimao in Portual, the two Team NFS Z4s lined up second and third in practice, fractions behind one new Ferrari 458 and ahead of the hordes of Mercedes Benz AMG SLS, Audi R8s, sister BMWs, Astons, Fords and Porsches. 27 cars line up this weekend, but the rumbling Mercs and howling Ferraris aren't the only additions to the championship.
Joining Edward Sandstrom in #6 this year is Abdulaziz Al-Faisal – the Saudi driver finished third overall at the Dubai 24 last year, and was the top Porsche driver in 2011. They line up with Claudia Hurtgen and Csaba Walter in the sister #7 Z4. Head over to the Desktops section to pick up a selection of images from the first day.
Rod and I have been salivating over an amazing collection of classic racers which are also on track here, including BMWs, a Datsun, Fords, Lotus and Toyotas. More on those later!
Jonathan Moore
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Awsome! I'm from Portugal and I'm feel happy to know that in my country have a good track and a good races! Is awsome that the Speed Hunters gives support to Portugal, a small country.
The poor little Datsun up against the GT cars, not fair!
Espetaculo o 120y do Charais
Welcome to Portugal!!
This great Datsun 120y belongs to F. Charais from Porto .
Great Car , very beautiful.
Thanks for your support dev.speedhunters.com.
Américo Pinho
Aka: datsun gx5
*droooooooool* @ SLS GT
love that livery on the Datsun.. is it a 120Y?
That has to be the coolest Datsun I've ever seen in my life.
My 120Y with the batmobiles!
Thank you for your support Speedhunters, to the Portuguese classics!