With more than 1,000 racing cars and motorcycles expected to attend, the organisers are aiming to surpass the 30,000 visitors they attracted in 2011. Highlights will include the Caramulo Hillclimb and a Historic Hillclimb, while a regularity run – something of a Portuguese speciality – should bring a whole new dimension to the 2012 event.
A three-day experience, the Caramulo Motorfestival will showcase a wide variety of vehicles from racing cars through to motorcycles and even vintage bicycles, plus Ford-sponsored aircraft that will take to the skies to offer – say the organisers – ‘acrobatic surprises’.
Adding to the excitement will be a number of classic rallies converging on Caramulo, from such distant places as Viseu, Luso and Salamanca in Spain, many of them celebrating anniversaries – such as the 35th birthday of the now-extinct Portuguese 4x4 manufacturer UMM.



Two-wheelers will be well represented by a large gathering of Harley-Davidsons and Vespas, while – for those into much heavier machinery – renowned Portuguese driver Elisabete Jacinto will bring her 3.6-metre high MAN TGS truck that took her to second place at Dakar in 2011.
There will also be plenty of outdoor activities to amuse the whole family, such as paintball, slides, playgrounds, local gastronomy and catering, chill-out areas with music, sports activities, live music and much more besides.
There’s also the Museu do Caramulo, which holds not just an impressive art collection (including works by Picasso, Miró and Salvador Dali) but also more than 100 vehicles (cars, motorcycles and bicycles).
Photos: Caramulo Motorfestival