Eastern Creek
http://www.eastern-creek-raceway.com/
By Phil Clark
A relative newbie in the world of motor racing, this track was constructed in 1991 with a length of 4.6km and has been the home to the Spanish Grand Prix ever since. It’s a regular test location and as such is well known by the teams, and traditionally therefore does not see much overtaking action. Mind you, back in 1991 Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna had a bit of a ding-dong and in 1994 Michael Schumacher managed to finish in second place despite driving over half the race with only fifth gear.
DTM and MotoGP also feature regularly at the circuit.
http://www.circuitcat.com/ingles/index.asp
By Phil Clark
Another green fields (read ‘white sands’) purpose-built development to secure the ‘Bernie and Max Formula 1 show’ in this part of the globe. The 5.4 km Hermann ‘the German’ Tilke-designed circuit only cost NZ$200m to build, and has fittingly recently received an award from the FIA for Centre of Excellence. At that price I should think so too.
Opened in 2004 for the F1 GP, the local Sheikh had originally asked for a 1-year extension from Bernie because it wasn’t quite ready. Following the obvious ‘No’, they just managed to get it ship shape for the weekend. I think the paint was still wet and apparently they sprayed glue on some of the sand around the circuit so that it wouldn’t blow onto the track. You just can’t make up stuff like that.
By Phil Clark
Built in 1936 on ground considered unusable for housing they promptly thought it would make a jolly nice place to build a race circuit instead. Interlagos was a magnificent facility in its original form, with the 7.8km circuit following a tortuous course, winding back on itself in a natural bowl in the smog-filled suburbs of Sao Paulo. The current 4.3km design was developed in 1990 to regain the Brazilian Grand Prix and runs in an anti-clockwise direction, which is quite rare outside the USA.
After the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994, Rubens Barrichello became the focus of the passionate crowd. Unfortunately for him, it proved to be his nemesis on virtually each and every occasion. And in Brazil, when your hero goes out of the race its ‘home time’, so the crowd leaves before the race finishes. Now that’s loyalty.
http://www.gpbrasil.com.br/site2007e/
By Phil Clark
Real Racing – Real Fast. Apparently. Built in 1960, this oval circuit is 2.4km in length and actually IS one of the fastest tracks in the US, on the NASCAR circuit that is. As with most ovals these days it now features an infield section which can be opened up for different types of racing configurations. Speeds easily reach 320 km/h in regular NASCAR races, even with the extra ballast they sometimes have to carry (read ’12 pack of beer and maybe a gun rack in the back’, or possibly even having a lady passenger called Darlene in the front and a dead deer strapped to the bonnet’).
The facility boasts seating for 125,000+ spectators, and in 2004 it put some of that space to good use by accommodating evacuees from Florida fleeing Hurricane Frances. Legend has it that the opening scenes of the 1980 movie Smokey and the Bandit II were filmed at the track, although this is unconfirmed.
http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/
By Phil Clark
First opened in 1959, this 4 km oval circuit was endowed with an integral 6 km road course in 1966 in order to broaden its use. It’s the spiritual home of NASCAR, also now the headquarters of the organisation and the season opening Daytona 500 race, often considered to be one of the most prestigious events for the series.
If you wonder why there is a 44 acre lake in the middle, then check out the imposing 31-degree banking the circuit boasts. The foundations had to come from somewhere.
By Phil Clark
Kyalami has always had something of a potted history, being in and out of trouble most of the time. Situated 25km north of Johannesburg, it opened in 1961 and hosted GPs from 1967. The 4 km long track managed to avoid trouble associated with apartheid, often affecting others sports, until 1985 when several F1 teams boycotted the race.
Although F1 returned in 1992, to a revised track and better facilities, overtaking was next to impossible. Combined with ongoing financial and political difficulties the circuit has not seen much major league action since.
By Phil Clark
With the rapidly rising star that was Gille Villeneuve in 1978, and with Mosport Park being deemed too dangerous, a new track was built in record time for the Canadian GP that year. Situated, amazingly enough, on the man made Ile de Notre Dame in the middle of the St Lawrence Seaway, this 4.32 km course had the honour of seeing the local hero win on its inaugural outing.
After Gilles death in 1982 the circuit was renamed in honour of him. Since then circuit has seen little revision over the years apart from upgraded facilities and enhanced safety features, and has continued to enjoy F1 patronage. More recently it is now also home to regular NASCAR events.
By Phil Clark