89 replies to this topic

[Repco von Brabham]

21/08/2007 Stephane Ratel visits Potrero de los Funes in Argentina
The 2008 FIA GT Championship is likely to include San Luis in the Republic of Argentina, further to a recent visit to the province by SRO Motorsport Group chairman Stephane Ratel last week.

The future Potrero de los Funes circuit, in an amazing setting circumnavigating a lake, will be 6.2 km long. "My first impressions on seeing the location is that it is a unique location which, once the impressive development planned will be completed, would result in one of the most impressive circuits in the world" Ratel commented.

A press conference was held at the Hotel del Potrero de los Funes, including Mr Angel Ruiz, representing the Governor, the president of the AAV, Mr Juan María Traverso, Mr Carlos Bassis of the Provincial Roads Authority and the representative of the Argentine Automobile Federation, Mr Carlos García Raimoldi.

Construction will start on the new semi-permanent circuit at the end of the month, and will take approximately nine months. Work will concentrate on the corners and on the barriers. As well as international competition, the new circuit should host rounds of the national TC 2000 and Super TC championships.

Subject to contractual details, the principle of an agreement to hold a round of the FIA GT Championship in the province of San Luis has been finalised. Should the site of Potrero de los Funes not be ready or homologated on time, another circuit, recently built next to San Luis, is available and should be FIA homologated in the next few months.

Look:
http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1354

[BorderReiver]

Ooooh that looks the nuts that does. Wow!

Herman take note!;)

[F575 GTC]

*Sigh* Maybe whilst Mr Ratel is trying to get his World GT Championship going he should be sticking to tracks that are already setup, tried and tested. He did it this year with the Bucharest Ring and the track didn't exactly recieve praise from the drivers.

It doesn't look like a bad track - sort of like Enna-Pergusa - but it just seems a bit of a mess to get it all setup and sorted for the GT's, when i'm sure there's other tracks in Argentina that are ready to host a round within a week or two's notice. Can't say i'm overly keen on this with how the Bucharest race turned out. :

[Risil]

Originally posted by F575 GTC

It doesn't look like a bad track - sort of like Enna-Pergusa - but it just seems a bit of a mess to get it all setup and sorted for the GT's, when i'm sure there's other tracks in Argentina that are ready to host a round within a week or two's notice. Can't say i'm overly keen on this with how the Bucharest race turned out. :

Well, there's the Buenos Aires track, but these days that's a monstrosity. The setting alone for this one ought to justify holding the race there.

[Repco von Brabham]

Rigth now, the machines are working in the new Potrero de Funes racetrack.

the new facilities include new and marvelous boxes (like F1 level), a big control tower, and bigs escape areas.

The governor want sign a WTCC race for 2008, too.

The press conference, in San Luis.


regards.

[Risil]

Should keep Interlagos on their toes...

[Flynnie]

Well if FIA GT wanted to go to Buenos Aires, they could race on the long circuit, which is a good racing circuit.

But this looks great. It looks like a proper throwback racing circuit. I'm excited.

[ezequiel]

WTF! I knew San Luis wanted F1 in the future, but I thought they were going to keep developing the existing circuit which is already one of the two or three best in Argentina, but I knew nothing about this project! Apart from the FIA-GT round, in the last years there have always been the rumour about WTCC visiting Buenos Aires alongside TC2000, but nothing have happened...now this is interesting, even when I despise those Rodríguez-Saa bros.

[ezequiel]

Originally posted by Flynnie
Well if FIA GT wanted to go to Buenos Aires, they could race on the long circuit, which is a good racing circuit.

But this looks great. It looks like a proper throwback racing circuit. I'm excited.

I like the long, very fast circuit, but I don't think it's in the best conditions (specially in terms of safety) to host any sort of World Championship series... it looks a bit abandoned, just like many circuits in Argentina...in fact, the main problem in Argentina is that there are too many circuits and the vast majority does not have a really good infrastructure, there is no good policy about the construction of new ones, and that's the result...we should learn from Brazil: they are bigger and have more money, but less motor racing circuits so they can spend the money in a better way...

[santori]

Straight from the Fifties. Fingers crossed the safety isn't, because that looks spectacular.

[Repco von Brabham]

Ratel sayd: "The circuit is spectacular"

FIA GT: Racing Inside a Volcano-Literally
A racing circuit built inside a volcano sounds like the stuff of a science fiction movie or video game. Yet such a track could host a round of the FIA GT Championship in Argentina as early as next year. The volcano, of course, is not active.

A fly-away round of the European-based series is planned for the rebuilt Potrero de los Funes venue around a volcanic lake in the Argentinian province of San Luis. The regional government proposes to revive the circuit, used for national events in the 1960s-'80s, as part of plans to transform the area into a major tourist destination. The government is in advanced negotiations with FIA GT boss Stephane Ratel, who visited the site in mid-August.

"This is something I am looking at for 2008: this is a very serious project," said Frenchman Ratel. "It is no secret that I have been working on having a race in Argentina for a couple of years. It has such a motorsport tradition that it is one of my priorities."

Ratel described the track, which originally measured 3.85 miles, as a "spectacular."
"It is a bit like Spa of old, because it would be a semi-permanent track," he explained. "The roads that make up the circuit go around the inside of a very old volcano."

Ratel said that if Potrero de los Funes was not ready for next year, the race could go ahead at a permanent circuit in San Luis. He admitted, however, that the track would need upgrading to get the necessary FIA homologation.

"This is my plan B," he said. "That is why I am confident we will be in Argentina next year."
Plans call for the 2008 FIA GT Championship to start and finish outside of Europe. Zhuhai in China would kick off the series and the Argentina race would bring it to a close.

[ensign14]

Surely, given the state of Interlagos, even a half-decent Argentine track would be a prime candidate for Grand Prix hosting.

[Goma]

That's the problem. In Argentina we don't have any "half-decent" (by international standards) track.

As poor as Interlagos seems to be, out tracks are much worse (including the Autodromo of Buenos Aires).

[Repco von Brabham]

Yeah, yeah., wathever ......, but now we have the FIA GT, and coming soon the WTCC also..,

On the other hand, I forget wrote the link of the last data I posted., sorry, look here:
http://www.autoweek....24005/1024/FREE

Regards......

[F575 GTC]

I'm still somewhat unconvinced. It looks like a nice picturesque place to race, but unless they get the safety up to standards it'll just be Bucharest all over again - though not as bad admittedly.

Still, thumbs up to Ratel for trying out differant places, even if two of them haven't turned out very good in recent years (Paul Ricard & Bucharest).

[Repco von Brabham]

but unless they get the safety up to standards it'll just be Bucharest all over again - though not as bad admittedly.

AGAIN

The goverment of San Luis is working RIGHT NOW with a lot of machines and men, in the circuit, making bigs escape areas.., all the jobs just the FIA GT demand.

The picture is for reference, nothing more., the circuit will be maked new from zero.,

Is so hard understood this..??

[F575 GTC]

I'm not blind, i can read. They did the same at Bucharest and the drivers complained afterwards about the safety of the track - and that was AFTER the FIA Delegates and safety people visited it and it was still slated for being unsafe. Go check Ortelli's accident for proof. And yes i know their totally differant make-ups of tracks but the fact still stands. They'll be problems with the track, it's brand new and there not going to get it right first time round. Ratel would be better finding some proper tracks, getting his World GT series set up and then considering these mickey-mouse routes.

[Flynnie]

Originally posted by F575 GTC
I'm not blind, i can read. They did the same at Bucharest and the drivers complained afterwards about the safety of the track - and that was AFTER the FIA Delegates and safety people visited it and it was still slated for being unsafe. Go check Ortelli's accident for proof. And yes i know their totally differant make-ups of tracks but the fact still stands. They'll be problems with the track, it's brand new and there not going to get it right first time round. Ratel would be better finding some proper tracks, getting his World GT series set up and then considering these mickey-mouse routes.

He found a proper track. It's the one you're discussing in Argentina.

[Repco von Brabham]

10/10/2007 Work underway on the Potrero de los Funes circuit


As shown in the photo, work is now well underway on the remodelling of the semi-permanent Potrero de los Funes circuit in the Province of San Luis, Argentina. The works were visted last week by the current Governor of the Province, Dr. Alberto Rodriguez Saa.
The circuit, which circumnavigates the lake of the same name, will be nearly 7 km long. The first work is taking place in the western zone, which will be the section that will take the most time. The work should be finished in July 2008. Plans are underway for a round of the FIA GT Championship to be held at the new circuit, once the work and homologation is complete.

from: fiagt.com

http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1426

Greetings...

[ensign14]

I hope it's a good 'un. I'd like to see an Argentine GP back on the calendar, it's one of the nicest countries to visit.

[Repco von Brabham]

24/10/2007 The FIA World Motor Sport Council approves 2008 FIA GT Championship Calendar
2008 FIA GT Championship Calendar :

1. 20th April Silverstone Great Britain

2. 18th May Monza Italy

3. 21st June Adria Italy (Saturday Night Race)

4. 6th July Oschersleben Germany

5. 3rd August Total 24 Hours of Spa Belgium

6. 31st August Bucarest Romania

7. 14th September Brno Czech Republic

8. 28th September Nogaro France

9. 18th October Zolder Belgium

10. 23rd November San Luis Argentina

http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1437

COOL....!!!

[Repco von Brabham]

[ezequiel]

Now an Argentine team is confirmed to race in GT2 next year: PECOM Racing, that will compete for AF Corse with a Ferrari driven by brothers Luis Pérez-Companc (who owns the team and is also Munchi's Ford WRT owner, although nothing has been said about the station of that Rally squad) and Pablo Pérez-Companc (who was gonna compete for Ganassi at Indy Pro in 2007 but suffered a terrible accident in Homestead in the first race and is returning now to the activity). The ACA (!!!) and Eduardo Ramírez have plans to compete in FIA GT next season too, although I almost can't believe the ACA is actually giving money to support an international Argentine team and Argentine drivers...

[F575 GTC]

Roll on the 20th of April Just a shame the GT90's won't be racing in the UK this year - Very, very gutted about that. The first races where a shambles due to the turnout; and it was such a shame that the McLaren F1 that turned up didn't have enough bodywork parts to enable it to race - still looked amazing in the pitlane though!

The Argentina track...I'm still on the fence with this one. On the one hand, yes it looks stunning for a race track, but on the other hand; will it be any good for racing? 23rd of November, wonder if that's near the Mil Milhas as well? It's looking ok so far though.

[wj_gibson]

That looks the shiznit, although it's perhaps best they stick with GTs; it's the Bathhurst of South America from the look of that map.

F1 cars, on the other hand, would steam round that thing with barely a lift, so I wouldn't entertain that idea for even a milli-second.

PS - here's the "other" track currently in existence in San Luis, should this lakeside one fail to reach fruition:

http://www.etrackson...a/sanluis1.html

Not really much of a contest as to the preferable option, eh?

[Repco von Brabham]

Nurburgring who..??

[Repco von Brabham]

[Repco von Brabham]

Photo Gallery 2008: Update on Potrero de los Funes

http://www.fiagt.com...=53&season=2008

Sublime....!!!

[Ross Stonefeld]

That is crazy, but cool.

[Repco von Brabham]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
That is crazy, but cool.

Extremely cool....

[Kemmel]

Looks way better than any of the new F1 tracks with their miles of run off area.

[Repco von Brabham]

Originally posted by Kemmel
Looks way better than any of the new F1 tracks with their miles of run off area.

Extremely better...

You bet that

[F575 GTC]

Repco; will you be attending the race at San Luis? If so, hope you get lots of photos mate!

[Repco von Brabham]

Originally posted by F575 GTC
Repco; will you be attending the race at San Luis? If so, hope you get lots of photos mate!

Omm..., I hope run this race, if God help, with a Ford GT of Piquet MotorSport, in the GT3 class.,

If God wish., (and the devil off...)

[Repco von Brabham]

Today, 17th July, is no more hotels vancancy availables in all the San Luis city., I swear by God!!!., only a few hostel in Villa Mercedes and Merlo (to 79 Km distanced)..,

And rest Five Months for the race, yet!!!

[ezequiel]

Originally posted by Repco von Brabham
Today, 17th July, is no more hotels vancancy availables in all the San Luis city., I swear by God!!!., only a few hostel in Villa Mercedes and Merlo (to 79 Km distanced)..,

And rest Five Months for the race, yet!!!

Ican't believe it. A FIA-GT race a success?

[Repco von Brabham]

Originally posted by ezequiel


Ican't believe it. A FIA-GT race a success?

Don't believe me???
Ask here:
www.sanluis.com.ar/

I repeat: no more hotel vacancy availables for the weekend in 21-22-23th November 2008...,

Despite San Luis have a BIG hotels capabilities.., but the FIA GT (and TC 2000) fever explode all the vacancy..!

Is the "erotism" of the new circuit, basically.,

[Repco von Brabham]

My God..!!
Look here:
http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1677

Nurburgring who..??

[Hames Junt]

Originally posted by Repco von Brabham
My God..!!
Look here:
http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1677

Nurburgring who..??

Incredible. Argentine Grand Prix anyone?

[Repco von Brabham]

YOU BET..!!!

[Hames Junt]

Anymore news on the progress of this circuit?

When is the GT race?

[Repco von Brabham]

Originally posted by Hames Junt
Anymore news on the progress of this circuit?

When is the GT race?

Rigth now, the circuit are 95% completed., the 18th October is the "top date" for this.

All the wires and pipelines are under-land, and have 3 tunnels for the teams trucks..!

The GT (and TC 2000) race is the 23th November.,

[Repco von Brabham]

James, look the video:
http://video.carbura...A4E4C6A8CB1.htm

[Repco von Brabham]

This video is the past monday:



saludos!

[Repco von Brabham]

The Race

San Luis (Argentina) – November 21st – 23rd, 2008
Provisional Timetable / Cronograma Provisorio


Friday, November 21st / Viernes 21 de noviembre

10.00 – 10.30 Support Race / Categoría soporte 1st Free Practice / 1ª práctica libre 30’
11.00 – 12.00 TC 2000 1st Free Practice / 1ª práctica libre 60’
12.15 – 12.45 Formula Renault 1.6 1st Free Practice / 1ª práctica libre 30’
13.00 – 13.30 Support Race / Categoría soporte 2nd Free Practice / 2ª práctica libre 30’

15.00 - 15.30 Formula Renault 1.6 2nd Free Practice / 2ª práctica libre 30’
15.45 – 16.15 Support Race / Categoría soporte Qualifying Practice / Clasificación 30’
16.30 – 17.30 TC 2000 2nd Free Practice / 2ª práctica libre 60’


Saturday, November 22nd / Sábado 22 de noviembre

09.00 – 10.20 FIA GT Championship Free Practice / Práctica libre 80’
10:35 – 11:05 TC 2000 3rd Free Practice / 3ª práctica libre 30’
11:20 – 11.50 Formula Renault 1.6 1st Qualifying Practice /1º Clasificación 30’
12.05 – 13.25 FIA GT Championship Pre-Qualifying / Pre-clasificación 80’

13.35 – 14.15 Animations - Pit walk / Visita a boxes

14.30 – 15:30 TC2000 Qualifying Practice / Clasificación 60’
15.45 – 16.35 Support Race / Categoría soporte Race / Carrera 20/10/20’
16.50 – 17.05 Porsche Customer Track recognition / vtas. cortesía 15’
17.15 – 17.50 FIA GT Championship Qualifying Practice / Clasificación 15/5/15
18.05 – 18.35 Formula Renault 1.6 2nd Qualifying Practice / 2ª clasificación 30’

Sunday, November 23rd

09.00 – 09.30 FIA GT Championship Warm Up 30’
09.45 Formula Renault 1.6 Pit lane open / Apertura boxes
09.55 – 10.25 Formula Renault 1.6 Race / Carrera 30’
10.35 TC 2000 Pit lane open / Apertura boxes
11.00 – 11.50 TC 2000 Race / Carrera 50’

12.00 – 12.40 Animations / Pit walk

12.45 FIA GT Championship Pit lane open / Apertura boxes

13.15 – 15.15 FIA GT Championship Race / Carrera 2h


Look here, the Official race Website in English:

http://www.fiagtsanluis.com/index.html


regards.

[Repco von Brabham]

The Track

The “Lago Potrero de los Funes” circuit is located 14 kilometres away from San Luis, capital city of the province of San Luis.
The government’s project consisted in developing a motor racing circuit with semipermanent characteristics in an urban-type layout.

Circuit: Technical Data
• Length: 6.249,85 metres. With the exception of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is 7.004 metres-long, “Potrero de los Funes” is the longest circuit in the 2008 FIA GT calendar.
•Width: 14 metres, with 3-metre aprons on either side.

Pits:
• Control Tower with Media Centre, which includes al the required communication services: telephones, mobile phones, and Internet.
• Scrutineering bay for racing cars.
• Small-sized, high-complexity hospital, 900 square metres of covered area.
• Heliport.
• Two concrete grandstands with sanitary facilities located below the stands which can each accomodate 4.000 people.
• 1,2 metre-high and 450 metre-long contention wall which separates the track from the pits buildings.
• Four sanitary modules with showers, distributed in the paddock area.
• There are telephone and Internet services in the pit area.

So as to maintain the accessibility, and the traffic moving outside the track, a number of tunnels and bridges have been built. They connect an inner circulation road with the roads surrounding the track.

There are some figures which may give a more precise idea of what this huge undertaking involves:

• Concrete mixture: 25.000 cubic metres, a volume which is equivalent to a cube with sides which are 29 metres-long.
• Soil transported: 250.000 cubic metres, a volume which is equivalent to a cube with sides which are 63 metres-long.
• Granular base materials: 100.000 cubic metres, equivalent to a cube with sides which are 46 metres-long.
• Asphalt layer: 50.000 Tons.
Total construction period -- 10 months.

The circuit also includes all the safety measures required by FIA.

Look pictures here:
http://www.fiagtsanl...m/circuito.html

Saludes

[Repco von Brabham]

Prices of Race Tickets corresponding to the FIA GT Round due to take place on November 21st, 22nd and 23rd in Potrero de los Funes, San Luis:

• General admission $50 (Argentine pesos)* - Includes admission for November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
• Grandstand seat $80 (Argentine pesos) - Includes admission for November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
• Admission to Pavilion $110 (Argentine pesos) - Includes admission for November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
• Admission to Paddock (Pits sector) $250 (Argentine pesos) - Includes admission for November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
• Admission to VIP Paddock (Pits sector) $400 (Argentine pesos) - Includes admission to Paddock (Pits sector) on November 21st, 22nd and 23rd, VIP Paddock (VIP Tent with catering service on Sunday), visits to the TC2000 and Formula Renault 1.6 starting grids and Car Park in Paddock sector during the three days.

• Parking (General) $25 (Argentine pesos) - The three days.
• Parking (Paddock) $40 (Argentine pesos) - The three days.

*General admission tickets do not include a grandstand seat.

[Repco von Brabham]

Next stop : Argentina !

http://www.fiagt.com...em.php?key=1850

I see you there, guys!

[Repco von Brabham]

22/10/2008 Bartels looks forward to San Luis


Vitaphone Racing Team claimed the GT1 Teams title in Zolder, but the Drivers title battle goes on to San Luis. We talked to Michael Bartels about the coming race : “I am really looking forward to the next round in Argentina. It’s a new track, in a new country - and the track looks exciting. We have done some simulations and I think that the top speed will be quite high.
It looks a bit like a street circuit in some parts, and I like this – but it also means that mistakes can be very costly. And we all know how the safety car can change the race, so it is important to stay out of trouble and do our job. I would have been happier if we could have closed the title fight in Zolder. On the other side, Hezemans and Gollin have 90 kg penalty weight, which will not be easy on a track like San Luis, with uphill and downhill sections. But we have to be focused !”

http://www.fiagt.com/index.php

Salu2

[Rob]

The track looks stunning. Well done Argentina - I think you've got a new "classic" track on your hands!