We don't know if this is a consolation prize from KTM granted to its rider Miguel Oliveira who undoubtedly abandoned his last slim hopes of playing for the title this year in MotoGP during the last two races in Austria. But the fact is that he will join the exclusive club of motorcycle Grand Prix drivers who will have completed a 24-hour motorsport endurance race in their career. The Portuguese will even be the only one in history to have competed in both motor sports competitions with the same brand...
Indeed, it is also with KTM which Miguel Oliveira will live his experience as a racing driver in motorsport. Because the Mattighofen brand does not only produce mechanical beasts equipped with handlebars. It also has a family with a steering wheel and in this case it is the KTM X-BOW GTX of 600 ch for a weight of 1 000 kg. Enough to have fun and the Portuguese, who, let us remember, cut his teeth in karting, will benefit from it during the next edition of the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona which will take place on the Montmeló circuit on the weekend of September 4 to 6.
The teammate of Brad Binder will be part of the True Racing team in what will be his first experience in a 24-hour endurance race. A challenge for a pilot who takes his challenge to heart: “ I am very excited and also incredibly proud to have the opportunity to be part of this race “, said the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider. “ Motorcycle racing has been part of most of my life, but my career started in the Portuguese Karting Championship, which is why I want to race on four wheels so much. I didn't hesitate at all when Mr. Trunkenpolz invited me ».
Miguel Oliveira will ride four weekends in a row
To Hubert Trunkenpolz, member of the board of directors of KTM AG, the brand's motorsport activities are a very important topic for him. Indeed, Trunkenpolz he himself regularly competes in races with a KTM X-BOW GT2 and will also take part in the 24 Hours of Barcelona with the GTX version for True Racing.
Miguel Oliveira will have the support of strong teammates. The Portuguese will join forces with official KTM rider Reinhard Kofler, as well as Peter Kox and Ferdinand Stuck. “ I hope to learn everything I can from them »Says Olive tree. " Racing is obviously a substantial part of this competition, but I think my main priority will be to find my place and have fun. "
The traffic light for the Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona will turn green at 12:00 p.m. Saturday 4 September. Before the race, teams and drivers will have the opportunity to prepare for the competition with free practice and qualifying sessions. The event will be streamed live on the race organizer's website (24hseries.com), where live timing will also be available. Considering the calendar MotoGP, Olive tree will experience this competition between the British Grands Prix this weekend and that of Aragon expected for September 12. Misano will follow on September 19. The Portuguese will therefore experience four consecutive weekends of racing, including a 24-hour car endurance event…
