Four-Wheel Debut for MotoGP star Miguel Oliveira at the Barcelona 24h

MotoGP™ ace Miguel Oliveira will be swapping his bike for a special guest appearance in the KTM X-BOX GTX cockpit at the Barcelona 24h race (3-5th September 2021).

The three-time MotoGP race winner will be driving for True Racing at the endurance race, which is set to go forth from 3rd to 5th of September at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This will be Oliveira’s first appearance in an international endurance race.

miguel oliveira

“I am super excited and also incredibly proud to get the chance to be a part of this race,” said Oliveira, who is otherwise riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. His guest appearance with the True Racing team carries added importance, as the 26-year-old reveals: “Motorcycle racing has been part of almost my entire life, but my career began in the Portuguese karting championship, which is why I am so keen to race four wheels. There was absolutely no hesitation for me when Mr. Trunkenpolz invited me.” For Hubert Trunkenpolz (board member of KTM AG) the brands motorsport activities are a matter close to his heart. He himself regularly competes in races with the KTM X-BOW GT2 and will take part in the 24 hours of Barcelona with another KTM X-BOW GTX for True Racing as well.

While Miguel Oliveira is used to being left to his own when it comes to racing in MotoGP™, he will have the support of strong teammates in the 24H Series. The Portuguese will be joining forces with KTM works driver Reinhard Kofler as well as experienced GT racers Peter Kox and Ferdinand Stuck. “I look forward to learning as much as I can from them,” Oliveira says. “Competition is obviously a substantial part of racing for me, but I think my top priority will be to find my way with the car and have some fun.”

Besides the entry featuring the MotoGP™ star, three other KTM X-BOW GTX cars will be on the grid for the Barcelona 24 Hours. As already mentioned, True Racing has a second entry in the GTX class, while Czech customer team RTR Projects and German team Reiter Engineering will each be racing a KTM X-BOW GTX too. The latter, entered by Hans Reiter and his team with spectacular Felbermayr livery, is among the favourites for overall victory as it has been a regular visitor to the podium already this season.

The “Hankook 24H Barcelona” will go green at noon on Saturday, 4th of September. Before the race, teams and drivers will prepare for the race with free practice and qualifying sessions. The event will be broadcast live with “Radio LeMans” commentary on the race organisers website https://www.24hseries.com/races/hankook-24h-barcelona-2021, where live timing will be available as well.