Few circuits can boast a history of racing as long as that of the Circuito Internacional de Vila Real in Portugal. Having first staged a race in 1931, the circuit has seen renewed popularity in recent years as a regular venue for World Touring Cars.

The costs for hosting the first race were covered by local authorities imposing a tax on each kilogram of meat. Thus, on 15 June 1931, the first race was held on a 7.15 km dusty unpaved layout, with support from the Northern section of the Automobile Club of Portugal, through the streets of the Vila Real city.

By 1936 the course was paved, and with it came increasing participation from international racers. Racing was suspended in 1935 due to the Spanish Civil War, and from 1939 to 1948 due to the Second World War.

Races were held for four more years, but then paused from 1937 to 1957. When the event resumed in 1958, top drivers such as Stirling Moss, winner that year, began to participate.

Despite the success of the race in 1958, it was another eight years before the event was staged again.

From 1966 and into the early seventies, races were regularly held, with single-seater races being overtaken by sportscar races as the main draw.

The 1973 oil crisis, resulting in the government banning car racing, followed by the Portuguese ‘Carnation Revolution’ in 1974 meant the event disappeared from the calendar for the next five years.

In 1979, however, the event was revived, and it continued through the 1980s with touring car racing coming to the fore.

However, the last race on the original circuit was held in 1991, when racing ceased due to a tragic accident for Pedro Carvalho which killed four spectators.

The streets then went quiet for 16 years, until a revival event was held in 2007 on a shortened course which went on to become the modern incarnation.

That event continued until 2010, when the global financial crisis mandated a few years break. In 2014, the race resumed, with increasing momentum: it was soon announced the World Touring Car Championship would visit in 2015.

The WTCC, and successor WTCR, visited every year from 2015 to 2019. COVID-19 then forced a two-year hiatus, before the event resumed in 2022.