The Circuito Ascari resort is a private motorsports club for automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers with a 5.425 km (3.371 mi) long motor racing circuit near Ronda, a city in the Spanish Province of Málaga. It was founded, designed, and built by Klaas Zwart, a racing enthusiast and owner of Ascari Cars; the track was completed in 2003. In 2022, Zwart sold the facility to two companies in Switzerland and Argentina.
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| Location | Ronda, Málaga, Spain |
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| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 36°49′32″N 5°5′1″W / 36.82556°N 5.08361°W |
| Owner | Klaas Zwart (2003–March 2022) |
| Broke ground | 2000 |
| Opened | 2003 |
| Construction cost | €40 million |
| Architect | Klaas Zwart |
| Major events | Former: EuroBOSS Series (2006–2008) |
| Website | ascari |
| Full Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.371 miles (5.425 km) |
| Turns | 26 |
| Circuit 1/Center (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.611 miles (2.592 km) |
| Circuit 2/North (2003–present) | |
| Length | 0.833 miles (1.341 km) |
| Circuit 3/South (2003–present) | |
| Length | 0.949 miles (1.527 km) |
History
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After making his fortune in the oil industry, Zwart participated in various racing events, including the British GT where he finished third in 1995 and EuroBOSS, where he was champion in 2003, 2006, and 2007;[1] he purchased the Ascari Cars marque in 1999 and began considering where he and others could drive their supercars safely away from road traffic, which led him to purchase land near Ronda, in the southern part of Spain. Construction of the track began in 2000, and Zwart designed the track to conform with the existing contours of the site. It was completed in 2003.[2] Final cost was estimated at €40 million.[3] The site was formerly used as a sheep farm.[4]
After building the track, Zwart opened up membership to 500 wealthy motorsports enthusiasts, including Martin Brundle, Christian Danner, Jay Kay, and Dolph Lundgren.[4] In March 2022, CEO Jesús Gijón confirmed that two companies, one from Switzerland and one from Argentina, had purchased the Ascari site from Zwart. The new owners expressed concern that nearby proposed photovoltaic energy developments could cause "irreparable damage for the landscape and environment in the area".[5]
Design
editThe site is approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from Ronda, the nearest town, located between the hills and a military training base so noise is not an issue.[6] Because of its location, it is favored by European car manufacturers for product launches.[6][7][8]
In addition to the track, the clubhouse features a complete restaurant and pool reminiscent of a Spanish villa.[9]
Many of the full circuit's 26 curves are deliberately reminiscent of famous turns at other tracks around the world.[1][2] The track is 12.2 m (40 ft) wide, featuring ascending and descending grades of up to 12%, and banked turns of up to 18%.[7] Visitors may choose to rent a car at the track, ranging from race-prepared regular production sports cars to ex-Formula 1 racing machines.[10]
Lap times
editKlaas Zwart set the overall record of 1:38.46 in an ex-F1 Jaguar R5 (2004) in 2019. Pål Pettersen Berg set the record for roadgoing vehicles in 2020 at 2:14.078 in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2).
In popular media
editSony Computer Entertainment used Ronda and the Ascari resort to launch their racing video game Gran Turismo 6 in 2013.[2] It is a playable track in the game.[11][12]
See also
edit- Bilster Berg, a similar race resort in Germany
- Monticello Motor Club, a race resort in New York (state)
References
edit- ^ a b Moore, Jonathan (20 February 2013). "Sun & Supercars At Ascari Race Resort". SpeedHunters. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "Ascari Circuit". racing circuits. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ de Vries, Godfried (30 June 2006). "Op vakantie bij Klaas Zwart" [On holiday with Klaas Zwart]. Quote (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b Weaver, Alistair (May 2007). "Lapping the Ascari Race Resort". MOTOR. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Melgar, Vanessa (March 4, 2022). "Ascari race track in Ronda has new owners and management". SUR in English. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b Scheelings, Remco (November 22, 2011). "Ascari Race Resort, een paradijs voor petrolheads" [Ascari Race Resort, a paradise for petrolheads]. AutoSport (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ a b Dupriez, Curt (29 December 2015). "One lap of Ascari: Driving the Ascari Race Resort in the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe". Drive Australia. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Hadley, Paul (13 March 2019). "Circuito Ascari — 3.371 miles of breathtaking corners". Motor Verso. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Berg, Nik (November 15, 2021). "Detour Pit Stop # 62: Ascari Race Resort, Spain". Detour. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Blain, Loz (September 22, 2008). "Lifestyles of the rich, famous and incredibly fast: the Ascari Race Resort". New Atlas. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Melgar, Vanessa (10 December 2013). "Ronda hosts the global launch of Gran Turismo 6". Sur in English. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ Greer, Jordan (December 9, 2013). "Gran Turismo 6 Comes to Life". GT Planet. Retrieved 5 October 2022.