The first street track to host the European Touring Car Cup, Vila Real is a circuit oozing history and intrigue. Racing has been held on the town’s hillside roads since 1931, when Gaspar Sameiro and Ercilio Barbosa conquered the original 7.150-kilometre course in a Ford Model A. Safety and financial factors meant races were held on an irregular basis until the WTCC’s arrival in 2015 provided stability before the ETCC followed in 2016. The current 4.785-kilometre layout is a challenging blend of turns, climbs and descents. While a handful of chicanes were installed for safety reasons, the spectacle remains unaltered.