Circuito Ascari
{{Short description|Motor racing circuit near Ronda, Spain}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name = Circuito Ascari
| Location = Ronda, Málaga, Spain
| Coordinates = {{coord|36|49|32|N|5|5|1|W|region:ES_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| Logo = Ascari 1.png
| Time = CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
| Broke_ground = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2000}}
| Opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2003}}
| Closed =
| FIAGrade =
| Construction_cost= {{Euro|40}} million
| Architect = {{ill|Klaas Zwart|de}}
| Owner = {{ill|Klaas Zwart|de}} (2003–March 2022)
| Image = Ascari Ronda.png
| Former_names =
| Events = Former:
EuroBOSS Series (2006–2008)
| Capacity =
| Layout1 = Full Circuit (2003–present)
| Surface = Asphalt
| Miles_first = False
| Length_km = 5.425
| Length_mi = 3.371
| Turns = 26
| Banking =
| Record_time =
| Record_driver =
| Record_car =
| Record_year =
| Record_class =
| Layout2 = Circuit 1/Center (2003–present)
| Length_km2 = 2.592
| Length_mi2 = 1.611
| Turns2 =
| Record_time2 =
| Record_driver2 =
| Record_car2 =
| Record_year2 =
| Record_class2 =
| Layout3 = Circuit 2/North (2003–present)
| Length_km3 = 1.341
| Length_mi3 = 0.833
| Turns3 =
| Record_time3 =
| Record_driver3 =
| Record_car3 =
| Record_year3 =
| Record_class3 =
| Layout4 = Circuit 3/South (2003–present)
| Length_km4 = 1.527
| Length_mi4 = 0.949
| Turns4 =
| Record_time4 =
| Record_driver4 =
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| website = {{url|ascari.net}}
}}
The Circuito Ascari resort is a private motorsports club for automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers with a {{cvt|5.425|km|mi|abbr=on}} long motor racing circuit near Ronda, a city in the Spanish Province of Málaga. It was founded, designed, and built by {{ill|Klaas Zwart|de}}, 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.
History
File:Vista aérea del Circuito Ascari en Ronda.jpg
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;{{cite web |url=http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/02/sun-supercars-at-ascari-race-resort/ |title=Sun & Supercars At Ascari Race Resort |author=Moore, Jonathan |date=20 February 2013 |work=SpeedHunters |access-date=21 September 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.circuitosdecarreras.com/espana/circuito-ascari/ |title=Ascari Circuit |website=racing circuits |date=21 March 2021 |access-date=21 September 2022}} Final cost was estimated at {{euro|40}} million.{{cite web |url=https://www.quotenet.nl/lifestyle/quoto/a16435/op-vakantie-bij-klaas-zwart-16435/ |title=Op vakantie bij Klaas Zwart |lang=nl |trans-title=On holiday with Klaas Zwart |author=de Vries, Godfried |date=30 June 2006 |work=Quote |access-date=21 September 2022}} The site was formerly used as a sheep farm.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/lapping-the-ascari-race-resort-classic-motor |title=Lapping the Ascari Race Resort |date=May 2007 |author=Weaver, Alistair |magazine=MOTOR |access-date=21 September 2022}}
After building the track, Zwart opened up membership to 500 wealthy motorsports enthusiasts, including Martin Brundle, Christian Danner, Jay Kay, and Dolph Lundgren. 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".{{cite news |url=https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/ronda/ascari-race-track-20220304124606-nt.html |title=Ascari race track in Ronda has new owners and management |author=Melgar, Vanessa |date=March 4, 2022 |work=SUR in English |access-date=21 September 2022}}
Design
The site is approximately {{cvt|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Ronda, the nearest town, located between the hills and a military training base so noise is not an issue.{{cite news |url=http://autosport.nl/klasse/nieuws/16954/ascari-race-resort-een-paradijs-voor-petrolheads |title=Ascari Race Resort, een paradijs voor petrolheads |lang=nl |trans-title=Ascari Race Resort, a paradise for petrolheads |date=November 22, 2011 |author=Scheelings, Remco |work=AutoSport |access-date=22 September 2022}} Because of its location, it is favored by European car manufacturers for product launches.{{cite web |url=https://www.motorverso.com/circuito-ascari-race-track/ |title=Circuito Ascari — 3.371 miles of breathtaking corners |author=Hadley, Paul |date=13 March 2019 |work=Motor Verso |access-date=22 September 2022}}
File:Vista del cortijo-casa Club de Ascari Race Resort.jpg
In addition to the track, the clubhouse features a complete restaurant and pool reminiscent of a Spanish villa.{{cite web |url=https://detour-roadtrips.com/home/detour-pit-stop-62-ascar-race-resort-spain |title=Detour Pit Stop # 62: Ascari Race Resort, Spain |date=November 15, 2021 |author=Berg, Nik |website=Detour |access-date=21 September 2022}}
File:Ascari Circuit Daniel Atalaya.jpg curve at Ascari (2018)]]
Many of the full circuit's 26 curves are deliberately reminiscent of famous turns at other tracks around the world. The track is {{cvt|12.2|m}} wide, featuring ascending and descending grades of up to 12%, and banked turns of up to 18%.{{cite news |url=https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/one-lap-of-ascari-driving-the-ascari-race-resort-in-the-2016-mercedes-amg-c63-s-coupe/ |title=One lap of Ascari: Driving the Ascari Race Resort in the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe |author=Dupriez, Curt |date=29 December 2015 |work=Drive Australia |access-date=22 September 2022}} Visitors may choose to rent a car at the track, ranging from race-prepared regular production sports cars to ex-Formula 1 racing machines.{{cite news |url=https://newatlas.com/lifestyles-of-the-rich-famous-and-incredibly-fast-the-ascari-race-resort/10047/ |title=Lifestyles of the rich, famous and incredibly fast: the Ascari Race Resort |author=Blain, Loz |date=September 22, 2008 |work=New Atlas |access-date=22 September 2022}}
Lap times
Klaas 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
Sony Computer Entertainment used Ronda and the Ascari resort to launch their racing video game Gran Turismo 6 in 2013. It is a playable track in the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.surinenglish.com/20131210/news/spain/ronda-hosts-global-launch-201312101048.html |title=Ronda hosts the global launch of Gran Turismo 6 |author=Melgar, Vanessa |date=10 December 2013 |work=Sur in English |access-date=5 October 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.gtplanet.net/gran-turismo-6-comes-to-life/ |title=Gran Turismo 6 Comes to Life |author=Greer, Jordan |date=December 9, 2013 |work=GT Planet |access-date=5 October 2022}}
See also
- Bilster Berg, a similar race resort in Germany
- Monticello Motor Club, a race resort in New York (state)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube |id=DNw1aDNBk0w |title=Klaas Zwart introduces Ascari Race Resort}}
- {{YouTube |id=oHGwYwXFRn4 |title=Lap record, Jaguar R5 by Klaas Zwart, 360 on Ascari resort.}} (1:38.46)
- {{cite web |url=https://lapmeta.com/en/track/variation/218 |title=Circuito Ascari Resort |website=LapMeta}}
{{BOSS GP circuits}}
Category:Motorsport venues in Andalusia