Top 4 Street Circuits that Circumnavigate Lakes
Most street circuits are based in or around cities or towns, but a chosen few have been formed around lakes.
1 — Potrero de los Funes, Argentina
Constructed in the late 80’s, Lago Potrero de los Funes circuit is one of those extraordinary circuits that has to be seen to be believed. Established by modifying the road around the lake of the same name, the 6.27 km (3.90 miles) circuit weaves its way through the streets of the lakeside, featuring major undulations and exhilarating high speed corners. The first racing event at the circuit was in August 1987, where the main event was a Turismo Carretera race. In a heat race, a crash occurred, killing 2 spectators, and that was followed by another crash in the main race, which injured a driver. Not the best start to a circuits’ history. The circuit was reinstated in 2008, with significant upgrades to both the circuit and runoff areas. Two temporary chicanes had been implemented on the Eastern side of the lake, and the runoff at the final corner was also improved. Since 2008, the circuit has hosted both FIA GT and TC2000 categories and remains one of the finest examples of race circuit tarmac anywhere in the world.
2 — Autódromo Internacional de Yahuarcocha, Ecaudor
Autódromo Internacional de Yahuarcocha is located in the town of Ibarra in northern Ecuador and is Ecuadors only motorsport venue. The current circuit is a short 2 mile loop around the northern side of the original circuit, and the full 10.00 km (6.28 miles) circuit around the circumference of the lake is no longer used. But it is still there, so we’re counting it into this list! The vision for the circuit came after races on the streets of Ibarra were becoming increasingly popular. The Club de Automovilismo y Turismo de Imbabura (or CATI for short) was formed and a 10 km anti-clockwise course around the perimeter of the nearby lake seemed a good idea. The circuit hosted its first race in 1970 after 7 years of construction from funds raised by the club and local businesses. The circuits’, and Ecuadors, most prestigous race to date was held at the venue in 1971, the Marlboro 12 Hours, which saw drivers from the US participate for glory. It soon received international status, but not all was well. The circuit was far behind safety regulations of the time, and soon the future of the circuit as a well regarded international circuit was under threat. The CATI therefore decided to build a permanent circuit to the north of the lake, which still stands today as Autódromo Internacional José Tobar, after a key person in the original project.
3 — Autodromo di Pergusa, Italy
Autodromo di Pergusa, or more commonly known as Enna-Pergusa, is a motor racing venue in Sicily, which has held national and international motorsports since the early 1950s. Created using access roads around the lake, the original circuit was like an oval in that it was formed of 4 very fast corners around the lake, with trees on one side and the lake on the other. For the first 10 years, the circuit was relatively unknown, until the non championship Mediterranean Grand Prix was held at the beginning of the 1960s. As the cars developed throughout the 1960s, the decision was taken to add the first chicane in 1970 in order to slow cars before entering the southern corner of the circuit. This change also resulted in moving the start and finish straight to its current location. The circuit was also made a permanent venue in this time, meaning public access was no longer allowed. Over the next 15 years, 2 further sections were added, the first the complex at the start of the lap and the second at the end of the lap before a quick right kink. In 1995, the fourth change was made, which included adding a chicane at the southern part of the circuit, forming the 4.96 km (3.07 miles) circuit that is there today. Unfortunately, the circuit has fallen into some disuse in recent years, but still remains one of the top Italian race venues.
4 — Albert Park, Australia
It’d be difficult to mention circuits that go around lakes without mentioning Albert Park, the current host of the Australian Grand Prix. However, Albert Park has a much longer relationship with motorsport than just the 22 years it has hosted Formula 1. In fact, Stirling Moss raced at the circuit in the 1950’s, when the event wasn’t part of the official Formula 1 calendar. The original 5.03 km (3.12 miles) circuit followed roughly the same route as the current circuit, minus the esses and the section along the current pit straight. The first race held on the circuit was a Formula Libre race which took place in November 1953. This race had over 40 starters and was held over 64 laps, longer than the current Formula 1 race! Therefore, the race took nearly 2 and a half hours to complete, with the fastest lap taking over 2 minutes. The field, which was for the most part made up of Australians, was won by Doug Whiteford, his third Australian Grand Prix win, by a margin of 5 laps! Over the next 5 years, a number of other races were held, and in 1958, a certain Stirling Moss raced at the circuit in the Melbourne Grand Prix, the last race before 1996. Driving a Cooper Climax, Stirling took the victory from another familiar name, Jack Brabham, and also with it the outright lap record of 1:50. Racing wouldn’t return to Albert Park until 1996, on the circuit that holds the Australian Grand Prix today.
Do you know any street circuits that perimeter lakes that we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments below.
