Guilherme Moreira 81
Photos/Written by: Guest Contributor Richard Souza
The sun had long surpassed the low ceiling as a heavy drizzle danced on my head. I stood outside the Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva in Estoril, Portugal. It was a very dreary day to be standing at the gates of the Autódromo, better known to the racing world as Circuito do Estoril (Estoril Circuit).
As I wait for my host, standing on the edge of a puddle, I could not help but notice the concrete wrinkles on the face of this legendary track. This place has hosted some of the most epic grand prix races in Formula One history. Decades ago, I stood at the entrance of the Parabolic turn as smoke emanated from Nigel Mansell’s Lotus. The roar of the engines was drowned by the cheering crowd. Niki Lauda was just handed his third championship on a silver platter. This was the same track where, a year later, Ayrton Senna coasted to victory as monsoon like rains pounded the pavement.
Racing of all types has continued over the years. Residents from miles away have grown accustomed to the sound of engines coming from the track, located at the base of the Sintra Mountain. Far from its glory years, this track continues to host major races from many different categories, like the final race of the 2020 Superbike World Championship. Two wheeled racing is exactly what brought me back to Estoril.
Forty years ago, I entered this track as a spectator. My father handed me his Nikon and gave me the quick 5 minute “listen very carefully” tutorial. Older and wiser, this time I enter the track as a photographer, still shooting with a Nikon but this time, with a quick five-minute YouTube tutorial under my belt. The subject was a young motorcycle racer by the name of Guilherme Moreira. This 14-year-old (now 15) began racing in 2021 with the Team EIMRS (Escola Iniciação Moto Racing Sintra) and currently is with Saki Racing Team.
Inspired by the on-track success of compatriot Miguel Oliveira, Guilherme first hopped on a motorcycle in August of 2021. Less than a year later, he finished second in the IMR90 national championship and third in the Mir Moto 5 championship. This is impressive for someone who a year before, had never been on a motorcycle.
Although competing with Saki Racing Team, this young racer brands himself as Guilherme Moreira 81. That number is displayed prominently on his mechanical steed. Guilherme is supported by his inner circle. Like many who take their first steps into the world of racing, it is a family affair. Mother, Father, sister; they all wear multiple hats. Mother manages the day-to-day business and deals with race officials on race days, while Guilherme’s Father offers an extra mechanical hand to their mechanic, sponsor, and friend “Dads Garage”.
I had been invited to cover their final race in the 2023 National Speed Championship (Campeonato Nacional de Velocidade). Guilherme would be competing on a Mir Moto 5 (250cc.) in a category with the same name. This event was organized by the Moto Clube de Estoril under the aegis of the Federação de Motociclismo de Portugal (Portuguese Motorcycle Federation). The schedule was set and despite the rain, there would be a full day of racing. We headed to the office of the Moto Clube do Estoril where I was graciously provided media credentials and given the schedule, and map of the track with the standard do’s and don’ts.
Accustomed to machines of the flying variety, I quickly assessed the similarities between the two. Like aircraft, motorcycles come in different sizes, and they tend to move fast. That is where the similarities end. They had familiar names like, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and others I had never heard of. Each bike and racer were grouped into categories. The categories ranged from entry level to Superbike. The categories were:
85GP/Moto4, Mir Moto5, Copa Dunlop Motoval, Dunlop RR Cup, Pre-Moto3, Supersport 300, SBK Superbike, SSRK 600, Troféu TLC, Troféu Naked Bikes.
Adding to the already packed schedule, the Moto Clube do Estoril secured the presence of the FIM Sidecar World Championship Final. This was icing on the cake for me. I always loved watching sidecar racing and now I had a chance to photograph them in action. Each category had the opportunity to test and qualify before they earned a spot on the starting grid. With credentials in hand and sticker on the windshield, I drove to the infield and the paddock area.
As one would expect, the paddock area was a bustle. Doors were opening and closing, and mechanics fine-tuning engines to squeeze as many drops of horsepower as possible. Only time would tell if they were successful. The racers tested their bikes before qualifying. These precious laps are critical to finding the engine's sweet spot. As his mechanics reassembled the bike, Guilherme was in the corner listening to the words of advice from his Manager and Crew Chief (Mother and Father). Others would stop by the pit box to leave him some words of encouragement. It was up to Guilherme to extract every ounce of performance from his Mir Moto 5.
Once a racer has qualified, the bike goes back to the mechanic. While the mechanics made their final adjustments, I ventured around the track to capture bits and pieces from every class of motorcycle racing that day. It didn’t take me long to understand why many rode around in a scooter or a bicycle. I knew I would wear down the soles of my shoes. To best capture the races, I had to move to different positions in the track. I was only hoping my strategy would work.
Back at the Paddock, young Guilherme looked calm and focused. He was ready to race. Suited up and helmet on, he took off around the track to line up on the starting grid. I accompanied his crew to the starting grid as all the participants came out of the Ayrton Senna Parabolic and down the straightaway. They all lined up for last minute checks before the start of the race. With a few minutes before the green light, I repositioned to the paddock roof top for a better view of the starting grid. From there, I also had an elevated position to some of the inside track.
There are no guarantees in racing. What worked well one minute, may not work five minutes later. This was the huge pill that young Guilherme had to swallow right out of the gate. Inexplicably, the engine of his Mir Moto 5 just didn’t perform. As his competitors passed, so did the hopes of placing second in the championship. The mood in the paddock changed. The look of optimism turned to a look of frustration. There were attempts to see if Guilherme could reenter the race. Unfortunately, the officials issued their verdict, bringing the season to an abrupt end.
I grew up listening to the words “The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat”, however, on that day, I didn’t see defeat. What I saw was a hard lesson in, not only motorsports, but in life. Guilherme knew that he was more than capable of placing in the race and second overall. He was ready, unfortunately, his machine was not. The race went on and I continued to photograph, despite not being able to get the planned shots of Guilherme Moreira 81 as he leans into the inner Parabolic giving me the thumbs up.
As a photographer, specializing in aviation photography, I have never had a real opportunity to photograph motorcycle races. This shoot allowed me to capture this racing discipline at a grassroots level. This is where young aspiring racers cut their teeth and get the visibility for the much-needed sponsorship. It is also the place where older racers keep the adrenaline flowing through their veins.
With the last wave of the checkered flag, the crews began to break everything down. This is always tough when you are not riding the victory high, but as they say, there is always next time. With the motorcycle packed in the trailer, it was time to cruise on home. As Guilherme Moreira 81 drove away, I realized that I had an inside look at what it takes to be in the world of motorcycle racing. I wondered what the future had in store for this, now, fifteen-year-old. One thing is for sure. What drives the sport is money. Without it, one is reduced to watching it on TV and even then, there is the cable bill to think about. Racers exist through sponsorships. Without them, the average working-class family is sacrificing to pursue a dream. A sponsor believes in talent. At least, that is how I see it.
Because of this, my brand has a place on the leather suit that makes its way around the track. That same track that forty years ago I witnessed racing history. Isn’t it ironic? I truly hope that more sponsors come forward to help this young racer get as far as he wishes to go. It takes more than just passion and drive. It takes step after step, race after race and season after season. I have no doubt Guilherme Moreira 81 will get there.
I would like to thank,
Guilherme, Paulo, Ana and Mariana for allowing me to be a fly on the wall. Follow Guilherme on Instagram @Guilherme.moreira.81
SAKI Racing Team
Moto Clube do Estoril for their gracious hospitality. Visit their website at www.mcestoril.pt
Federação Motociclismo Portugal – www.fmp.pt
