A1 GP: World Cup of Motorsport 2008/09

ALGARVE MOTOR PARK

Overview:

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will be a 4.692 metre race circuit located in Portimao Portugal. With a total cost of 195 million Euros, the project includes a karting track, technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments.

Extending over almost 300 hectares, the circuit is the biggest investment ever to be implemented in the Algarve and is located in Escapadinho in the foothills of the coastal town of Portimao. It lies about one hour’s drive away from Faro airport and an additional exit road from the A22 motorway is also being built to facilitate access.

The track used for the Superbike race will measure 4.692 kilometres in length although 64 different variants of the overall layout will be possible, adapting to the needs of numerous different events, which one day could include Formula 1.

Specifications:

Location: Portimao, Portugal
Circuit Lenth: 4,692 metres
Track Width: 14 metres
Turns: 18
Laps:
Direction: Clockwise
Lap Record: TBA
Address: Mexilhoeira Grande, Portimao, Portugal.

Development:

Construction is due to be finished by October 2008 and the circuit will host the final round of the Superbike World Championship on November 2nd. On 9th June, the track was confirmed to host a round of the 2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season. The race is set for the weekend of April 12, 2009.

The mastermind behind the Algarve Motor Park initiative is local entrepreneur and motorsport fanatic Paulo Pinheiro, for whom it represents a dream come true after seven years of commitment to the project.

Directions:

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will be located near the city of Portimao, in Sítio do Escampadinho in the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande to be precise, about 4.5 kilometres north of the Algarve motorway (A22), with a direct road link via the motorway exit at Mexilhoeira Grande. The cities of Portimao and Lagos will thus be only a 10-minute drive from the Algarve Motor Park.