From the 72 Hours of June to 24 More: 24H Barcelona

Michael Jolley shares his fan’s-eye view of the 2025 24 Hours of Barcelona, closing out a year of endurance adventures that began with his unforgettable ’72 Hours of June’ marathon at Le Mans, the Nürburgring, and Spa. This time, the story unfolds under the Catalan sun, where racing, atmosphere, and passion combine for one final celebration of the season.

After completing the 72 Hours of June, I clearly hadn’t had enough sleep deprivation, so off to Barcelona it was for one final adventure of 2025: the 24 Hours of Barcelona.

Held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the final race of this year’s 24H Series promised to be bigger and better than ever, both on and off the track. A bumper grid of 33 cars—from the sprightly TCX entries to the thunderous GT3 machines—was joined by fan zones, live music, and a true festival atmosphere both trackside and in the paddock.

Arrival and First Impressions

Arriving late on Thursday, I found myself in the same hotel as half of the teams. The evening was relaxed, with team members mingling and chatting over drinks at the hotel bar before the big weekend ahead. Not too many drinks for me though; it had been a long day of travel and I needed sleep.

Friday brought my first disappointment: no public access. Qualifying is such an integral part of a race weekend, and missing it—along with the TCR race—felt like a big oversight. It did, however, give me a chance to explore Barcelona itself. Still, the lack of Friday access was a missed opportunity for the organisers: fans lost out on the action, and the circuit missed a potentially lucrative day of concessions and merchandise sales.

Saturday Morning: The Race Begins

Determined not to let the disappointment spoil the weekend, we were up early on Saturday to catch as much as possible. By 9am, the entrance was already packed with eager fans waiting for the gates to open. Once inside, relief and excitement filled the air.

First stop: the grid walk. For just €4 extra on top of an already affordable ticket, fans could get up close to the cars and drivers. The grid was lively but never overcrowded, allowing everyone to enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed.

At midday, engines fired into life. The sound reverberated around the grandstands, the floor rumbling beneath our feet as the race roared into action. Beyond the track, the Catalan mountains provided a dramatic backdrop worthy of a season finale.

The Best Seats in the House

One major perk, common on the continent but rare elsewhere, was free access to grandstands. The circuit had opened its best viewing points: the start/finish straight, Turn 1, and the iconic Stadium section. The latter proved the most special, as cars decelerated from top speed into long sweeping corners before disappearing back toward the line. The natural amphitheatre amplified the growl of the GT3 cars, creating a thunderous echo unlike anywhere else on the track.

The open paddock added to the magic. Fans wandered among team trucks and garages, catching glimpses of mechanics at work and even taking home used tyres as souvenirs. As night fell, the Kiss FM party and live music kept the crowd lively well into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Into the Night

The weather, unfortunately, denied us a beautiful sunset, but at least it stayed dry. As temperatures cooled, the track action only intensified. The lead changed hands multiple times as darkness settled over Montmeló.

At midnight, fireworks lit up the sky—a spectacular sight marking the halfway point. Some fans retired for a rest, myself included, grateful that the circuit gates stayed open all night. I drifted to sleep with the soothing soundtrack of GT engines echoing through the night.

Dawn and the Final Push

By 5am, the alarm dragged me back to life. The air was cold, the sky glowing with the same fiery hue as the brake discs below. Fans wrapped in blankets returned to the stands for sunrise racing—the most magical part of any endurance event.

After 22 hours of running, the race remained remarkably clean, with only a few Code 60s interrupting the rhythm. Over 600 laps in, the cars still sounded as exhilarating as they had at the start. By now, the grandstands had filled again for the final two hours.

A Fairytale Finish

The last hour was spent above the podium with a perfect view of the finish line. Fans packed the platform, eager for a glimpse of the winners and perhaps a drop of champagne. In the end, it was HOFOR Racing who triumphed, taking their first 24-hour victory in a decade. Team members lined the catch fencing, cheering as their car crossed the line—a remarkable sight and a fitting finale to both the race and the 2025 24H Series season.

Reflections and Looking Ahead

As the champagne bubbles popped, my weekend and the 2025 24H Series came to an end. It had been time well spent. The Barcelona event captured what makes this championship special: affordable access, unrivalled fan engagement, and a vibrant festival atmosphere.

Yet, the lack of Friday access remained a blemish on an otherwise superb event, one that organisers could easily fix in future editions. Still, with a vast 2026 calendar already planned, I’ll definitely be back. The 24H Series continues to grow both on and off the track, and I can’t wait to see how Creventic builds on this year’s success.

Photos by Michael Jolley.