From March 27 to 29, 2026, Barcelona once again became the epicenter of historic motorsport, hosting the legendary Espíritu de Montjuïc event organized by Peter Auto. The event took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a track opened in 1991 that combines long straights, technical corners, and modern infrastructure, making it an ideal venue for historic racing. The festival’s name, “Espíritu de Montjuïc,” pays homage to the legendary races once held at the Montjuïc circuit, where dangerous and spectacular competitions left an indelible mark on motorsport history. The modern incarnation, revived by Peter Auto, is designed not only to host races but also to recapture the atmosphere of an era when cars were raw and alive, engines roared loudly, and both risk and driver skill could be felt in every fiber of the body. Espíritu de Montjuïc 2026 marked the fourth historic edition of the event and the second consecutive year in which Peter Auto’s series were fully integrated into the festival program.
The three-day schedule was packed with races, practice sessions, qualifying, demonstration runs, and additional activities. Friday, March 27, was dedicated to vehicle preparation and the official introduction of participants. Saturday, March 28, opened the main race series, including endurance tests and classic races, while Sunday culminated the weekend with the decisive stages of all series and demonstrations of legendary race cars. In total, 13 races were held, totaling more than 30 hours of track action, turning Barcelona into the epicenter of historic motorsport for the weekend.
A distinctive feature of Espíritu de Montjuïc 2026 was the massive and diverse field of participants and cars. Nearly 250 drivers and over 300 cars represented different eras and classes of vehicles. The main race series included the Gentlemen Challenge, focusing on 1950s–1960s retro sports cars — slower but highly expressive and emotive vehicles. Group C Racing was one of the most spectacular categories, where fans of historic racing witnessed Porsche 962, Nissan R90, and Jaguar XJR12 — cars that dominated endurance racing in the 1980s and 1990s. The Endurance Racing Legends series combined modern historic sports prototypes and GT cars from later decades, demonstrating the evolution of technology and racing dynamics. The Heritage Touring Cup featured intense battles among classic touring cars such as BMW, Ford Capri, and Alfa Romeo, which had dominated the European Touring Car Championship from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. The 2L Cup showcased tight racing with Porsche 911 2.0 cars, where victories were decided by fractions of a second. The two-hour Sixties’ Endurance tested the stamina and resilience of classic 1960s sports cars, including the iconic Cobra and Jaguar E-Type. Classic Endurance Racing 1 and 2 presented iconic 1960s–1970s sports prototypes, including Porsche 917, Ford GT40, and Chevron, creating the feeling of a genuine time-travel experience on the track.
Beyond the main races, organizers offered demonstration runs of historic Formula 1 cars, including the Lotus 78, McLaren M26, and Ligier JS11/15, allowing spectators to experience the spirit of motorsport’s golden era. However, Espíritu de Montjuïc was not just about racing: the festival featured exhibitions of rare cars and motorcycles, the Hommage Emilio de Villota exhibit honoring the legendary Spanish driver, themed areas celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vespa and the 40th anniversary of Seat Sport, as well as music performances, children’s zones, and artisan markets. Together, these created a unique festival atmosphere, welcoming families and visitors to enjoy history, spectacle, and entertainment.
Special attention was given to driver strategy and track characteristics. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya demands not only power and speed but also mastery of aerodynamics, suspension, braking, and handling in challenging corners. For historic cars, this adds an extra layer of challenge, as drivers must account for the technical limitations of vehicles not designed for a modern circuit layout. Battles for positions were particularly intense in Group C Racing, with Porsche 962 C, Nissan R90 CK, and Jaguar XJR12 demonstrating incredible speed and agility, thrilling the crowd. In the 2L Cup, drivers on Porsche 911 2.0s fought closely for every position, with time gaps measured in fractions of a second. The two-hour Sixties’ Endurance proved that vehicle endurance and consistency are decisive factors, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the race.
Race results produced heroes in each category: in Group C, Philip Kadoorie in the Porsche 962 and Olivier Galant in the Jaguar XJR12 fought for weekend dominance, while in the 2L Cup, Jürgen Rudolph in the Porsche 911 2.0 held a narrow lead over rivals by mere fractions of a second. In the Heritage Touring Cup, intense battles between Ford and BMW captivated fans of classic touring cars. Classic Endurance offered standout performances from Lola T70, Porsche 911, and other historic sports cars, drawing thunderous applause. Official results and classification tables are available on the Peter Auto website, where precise outcomes of each series are published.
Espíritu de Montjuïc 2026 was not merely a sporting competition but a cultural event uniting generations. Young and old visitors alike came to the track to see cars admired by their parents or to witness vehicles they themselves had dreamed of driving. Music, retro markets, workshops, and themed exhibitions created a unique environment in which every attendee could feel part of motorsport history. Many races were broadcast live with English commentary, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action and experience the emotions of the weekend online. This international exposure expanded the reach of historic motorsport and attracted new audiences who may not have previously followed racing from past decades.
For Peter Auto, Espíritu de Montjuïc was strategically significant: it launched the 2026 season of the Le Mans Classic Series, reinforced Barcelona’s status as a global hub for historic racing, and brought together different generations of cars and fans in a shared celebration of speed, style, and history. The event demonstrated that historic motorsport can be more than a competition; it can be a cultural festival capable of inspiring new enthusiasts and preserving the heritage of past eras. The weekend in Barcelona became a festival for all motorsport enthusiasts, where emotion, skill, tradition, and spectacle intertwined seamlessly, leaving lasting impressions on participants and spectators alike. Espíritu de Montjuïc 2026 exemplified how respect for the past and love for automotive engineering can merge with modern technology and organization to create a celebration that inspires, unites, and leaves an indelible mark on everyone who becomes part of this unique event.
Report Alexander Seregin, Photos Daniel Ballarin, DBL Photoagency & Asppa Images
Participants and Classes
One of the key features of Espíritu de Montjuïc 2026 was the remarkably diverse field of participants and machinery — ranging from retro sports cars to legendary prototypes.
Nearly 250 drivers and over 300 cars took part, divided into several series, each representing a distinct era or class of racing technology.
Main Racing Series:
Gentlemen Challenge
Focused on 1950s–1960s retro sports cars — relatively slower, yet incredibly vivid and emotional machines that perfectly capture the spirit of the event.
2L Cup
One of the most spectacular classes, featuring numerous Porsche 911 2.0 cars, where drivers demonstrate exceptional skill in tightly contested racing.
Sixties’ Endurance
A long two-hour race for classic 1960s sports cars — including icons like the Cobra and Jaguar E-Type — which became one of the highlights of the event.
Group C Racing
One of the most dramatic categories: fan favorites such as the Porsche 962, Nissan R90, and Jaguar XJR12 — cars that dominated endurance racing in the 1980s and 1990s and became true legends of the discipline.
Endurance Racing Legends
Modern historic sports prototypes and GT cars from recent decades, including machines from the 1990s and 2000s, showcasing the evolution of technology and racing performance.
Classic Endurance Racing 1 & 2
A cornerstone of Peter Auto: iconic 1960s–1970s sports prototypes, including the Porsche 917, Ford GT40, and Chevron. These series feel like a true journey back in time.
Heritage Touring Cup
This category features classic touring cars — BMW, Ford Capri, Alfa Romeo, and others — that dominated the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.
