By Multi times a national 600, Superstock Champion, an excellent fourth in the Macau Grand Prix of 2008, a former World Superbike Championship wildcard entrant at Portimao, Portuguese star Luis Carreira went into TT 2009 as one of the highest profile Mountain Course first timers.
Competing under the Team Benimoto Suzuki Celetem banner, the amiable racer from Lisboa went onto quietly impress finishing quickest overseas newcomer, lapping at over the 122 mph lap mark.
Photo by Baylon McCaughey
Results wise he placed 30th in the Royal London 360 Superstock race whilst the blue riband Pokerstars Senior race saw him finish a very creditable 18th, in front of seasoned roads talents such as Mickey Fitzpatrick, Kiaran Hankin, George Spence and the all time most finishing TT racer in history, Dave Madsen Mygdal.
Sticking with Suzuki machinery for TT 2010, Carreira would go onto acquire a brace of top 25 finishes, registering a new personal best finish of 17th within the record breaking Superstock encounter.
Photo by Barry Clay
Onto 2011 and it was all change for Carreira who joined the vastly respected CD (Chris Dowd) Racing squad.
Quickest North West 200 newcomer, his following two week Mountain Course stint saw him continue his impressive form recording two top 16 finishes, which included finishing 13th in the Superstock race in front of none other than 10 times TT winner Ian Lougher.
Entering the 2012 TT Races, his TT CV boasted four top 20 finishes, overall six top 30 finishes and holding the honour of being Portugal’s fastest TT competitor in history.
Unfortunately 2012 proved his final year competing on Manx shores, as he tragically passed away at the Macau Grand Prix.
An inspiration for fellow Portuguese racers such as Nuno Caetano and Andre Pires, Lisboa’s Luis Carreira helped hugely increasing the popularity of pure road racing in modern times across Portugal and nearby nations.
Never forgotten, he always had a smile, always looked really happy at the prospect of racing on the roads, one of the good guys.
Words by Stevie Rial
