Tipperary racing driver preparing to compete in Spain and Portugal this season

Tipperary racing driver Nicole Drought travelled to Estoril in Portugal last weekend to take part in the official Media Day and test ahead of the 2026 Iberian Supercar Endurance Series.

Nicole will compete in Spain and Portugal this season, with three championships at stake. Her first race is at the Algarve Iberian Festival at Portimao on May 15-17.

Having visited the Art of Speed team's Porto workshops in the preceding weeks, Nicole was keen to get behind the wheel of their 450bhp Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car, which she will race this season. The rain, which had all but flooded the venue earlier in the week, had thankfully abated, so it was dry and sunny as the Roscrea woman eased the Porsche out of the garage and onto the famous ex F1 circuit for the first time.

Nicole completed three 40 minute sessions on the 4.1 kilometres circuit and at the end of the day, having set a time which put her her P3 in the cup class, was delighted with her progress.

She returns to Portugal for a second test at Portimao on April 23, ahead of her first race in the Porsche at the same venue in May.

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Nicole said "I'm really happy how it all went. The team were great and I absolutely loved the car. There was a lot to learn and we worked through it before giving it a push in the final session. I was delighted to get so close to the fastest cup class time of the day, but I am not counting any chickens just yet!

"Last year's champion was one of a few not there on the day so we have to keep pushing. That said, I am pretty sure there is more to come and the team feel the same, having run a safe base set-up on the car all day".

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