Aspar Circuit
{{Short description|Motorsport circuit in Algemesí, Spain}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name = Aspar Circuit
| Location = Algemesí-Guadassuar, Valencian Community, Spain
| Time = CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
| Image = Trazado.svg
| Image_caption = Main Circuit (2017–present)
| Coordinates = {{Coord|39|13|36.19|N|0|28|1.81|W|display=inline,title}}
| Capacity =
| FIAGrade = 6A (Autocross)
| Owner = Jorge Martínez Aspar & Juan Roig (2022–present)
| Operator = Aspar Team (2022–present)
| Broke_ground = 2016
| Opened = {{start date and age|2017|07|08|df=yes}}
Re-opened: {{start date and age|2024|05|df=yes}}
| Closed = {{start date and age|2021|07|df=yes}}
| Architect =
| Former_names = Circuit de la Ribera (2017–2021)
| Events = FIA Motorsport Games - Karting (2024)
| Layout1 = Main Circuit (2017–present)
| Surface = Asphalt
| Length_km = 2.200
| Length_mi = 1.367
| Turns = 20
| Record_time =
| Record_driver =
| Record_car =
| Record_year =
| Record_class =
| website =
|}}
The Aspar Circuit (formerly Circuit de la Ribera) is a {{cvt|2.200|km|mi|abbr=on}} motorsport complex located between the municipalities of Guadassuar and Algemesí, in the province of Valencia, in the Valencian Community, Spain. After being inaugurated in 2017 and with various problems that kept it closed for a long time, in 2022 it passed into the hands of Jorge Martínez Aspar together with Juan Roig, opening its doors again in May 2024 as a circuit and base for the Aspar Team.
History
The Circuit de la Ribera project began to be carried out in mid-2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.lasprovincias.es/deportes/mas-deportes/201506/01/nuevo-laboratorio-adrian-campos-20150601001132-v.html|publisher=Las Provincias|title=El nuevo laboratorio de Adrián Campos|date=1 June 2015|accessdate=2 May 2018|language=es}} At the end of 2016 the project obtained the environmental license and requested the works permit to begin the construction of the main building.{{cite web|publisher=Levante|title=El circuito de Guadassuar logra la licencia ambiental y solicita el permiso de obras|url=http://www.levante-emv.com/ribera/2016/10/14/circuito-guadassuar-logra-licencia-ambiental/1479243.html|date=14 October 2016|accessdate=2 May 2018}} Months later it was almost finished and was waiting to meet all the requirements for the opening which took place on 8 July 2017, with an opening party held on 22 July.{{cite web|work=Las Provincias|title=Aspar crece desde sus orígenes|url=http://www.lasprovincias.es/deportes/motor/201705/12/aspar-crece-desde-origenes-20170512004548-v.html|date=12 May 2017|accessdate=2 May 2018|language=es}}{{cite web|work=Levante|title=El circuito ya toma velocidad|url=http://www.levante-emv.com/ribera/2017/07/09/circuito-toma-velocidad/1591136.html|date=9 July 2017|accessdate=2 May 2018|language=es}}
In 2019, the PSOE government of Guadassuar began to put obstacles to the circuit alleging that it did not comply with the Law of Shows and closed it.{{cite web|url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/comunitat/guadassuar-mantiene-circuit-ribera-irregularidades-cerrado-20190520194910-nt.html|title=Guadassuar mantiene que el Circuit de La Ribera presenta numerosas irregularidades|language=es}} After endorsing the legality of the circuit by the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community in 2020, it remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and because the municipal council continued to demand actions on it.{{cite web|url=https://valenciaplaza.com/circuito-ribera-mas-cerca-reabrir-licencia-ambiental|title=El Circuito de la Ribera, más cerca de reabrir tras conseguir la licencia ambiental|language=es}} Finally and after the situation did not improve, in the summer of 2021, the circuit's closure was formally announced.{{cite web|url=https://www.levante-emv.com/ribera/2021/07/22/circuito-guadassuar-cierra-deudas-obras-55298598.html|title=El Circuito de Guadassuar cierra entre deudas y obras imprevistas|language=es}}
The following year, Jorge Martínez Aspar and Juan Roig bought the facilities, with the aim of reopening the circuit, resuming its activities and establishing the headquarters of the Aspar Team there.{{cite web|url=https://www.todocircuito.com/noticias/31472-aspar-y-un-grupo-de-inversores-compran-el-circuito-de-la-ribera-(guadassuar).html|title=Aspar y un grupo de inversores compran el Circuito de La Ribera (Guadassuar)|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/valenciacf/adrian-campos-trasladara-20221016165323-nt.html|title=Aspar convertirá el circuito de Guadassuar en su centro de operaciones|language=es}}
Layout
File:Circuito - Vista Aerea.jpg
The Aspar Circuit is a {{cvt|350.000|m2|abbr=on}} sports complex capable of hosting several motorsports events simultaneously. It is basically divided into four areas:
- Main circuit: {{cvt|2.200|km|mi|abbr=on}} metres long, {{cvt|400|m|ft|abbr=on}} metres straight, {{cvt|10 to 12|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, 10 left-hand bends and 10 right-hand bends.
- Karting circuit: {{cvt|0.850|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, {{cvt|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, 7 left-hand bends and 9 right-hand bends. It is a replica of the main circuit.
- Dirt circuit for car-cross, flattrack and supermotard: {{cvt|1.100|km|mi|abbr=on}} long and {{cvt|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide.
- Drift and road safety school: It has an area of {{cvt|18.000|m2|abbr=on}} of asphalt.
- Museum, helipad, infirmary, restaurant, multipurpose rooms and 18 professional boxes.
Events
In 2024, the Aspar Circuit was used as the venue for the karting and cross car events of the FIA Motorsport Games.{{Cite web |title=2024 FIA Motorsport Games |url=https://www.motorsportuk.org/the-sport/fia-motor-sport-games/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Motorsport UK |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Corsa |first=Assetto |date=2024-02-13 |title=FIA MOTORSPORT GAMES 2024 |url=https://assettocorsa.gg/fia-motorsport-games-2024/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Assetto Corsa |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://asparcircuit.com/ Official website]
Category:Motorsport venues in the Valencian Community
Category:Buildings and structures in the Province of Valencia