Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo is a 4.805 km (2.986 mi) motorsport circuit located in Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina. The circuit was opened in 2008 and underwent a complete overhaul and rebuild process in 2012, based on design by the Italian circuit designer Jarno Zaffelli.[1]
 | |
| Location | Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero, Argentina |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC-03:00 |
| Coordinates | 27°30′21.1″S 64°54′52.1″W / 27.505861°S 64.914472°W |
| FIA Grade | 2[a] |
| Broke ground | 2007 |
| Opened | 10 May 2008 |
| Major events | Current: TCR South America (2022–present) Porsche Cup Brasil (2016–2017, 2022–present) Turismo Carretera (2008–2019, 2022–present) Turismo Nacional (2009, 2011, 2013–2019, 2022, 2024) Former: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix (2014–2019, 2022–2023) WTCC Race of Argentina (2013–2017) TC2000 (2008–2011, 2013–2017, 2022) Top Race V6 (2009–2011, 2013–2016) |
| Website | http://autodromotermas.com |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2013–present) | |
| Length | 4.805 km (2.986 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:39.019 (Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2015, MotoGP) |
| Short Circuit (2013–present) | |
| Length | 4.430 km (2.753 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:35.691 (Juan José Ebarlín, Chevrolet Chevy, 2018, Turismo Carretera) |
| Original Circuit (2008–2012) | |
| Length | 4.351 km (2.703 miles) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:34.005 (Mariano Werner, Toyota Corolla, 2010, TC2000) |
Racing background
The circuit hosted the third round of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season in 2014 and 2015, bringing Grand Prix motorcycle racing back to Argentina after fifteen years.[2] In 2013, the circuit also hosted Rounds 15 and 16 of the FIA WTCC Race of Argentina of the World Touring Car Championship, and the first MotoGP and Moto2 official tests.[3][4] The track was to host the Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix in 2013,[5] but the government's nationalisation of the local subsidiary of Repsol S.A., and the ensuing cancellation of gas exports to Argentina raised concerns for the safety of the Honda MotoGP team that is sponsored by the Spanish oil company, forcing a one-year postponement.[6] In previous years, the circuit has also hosted events in the TC2000 Championship, Top Race V6, Turismo Nacional and Formula Renault Argentina series.
On February 6, 2021, the circuit's pit buildings were destroyed due to a fire. No human victims were reported.[7] After the fire, the grandstand, media centre, and pit garages were reconstructed. The reconstruction works were completed before the 2022 Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix.[8]
On 21 March 2023, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles and VP Michael Montri paid a visit to the circuit to tour the property and evaluate the possibility of holding a future IndyCar race at the facility.[9]
Events
- Current
- May: Turismo Carretera, Turismo Nacional, TC Pista
- September: Porsche Cup Brasil
- November: TCR South America Touring Car Championship
- Former
- Formula 4 Sudamericana (2015)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix (2014–2019, 2022–2023)
- Porsche GT3 Cup Trophy Argentina (2018)
- TC2000 Championship (2008–2011, 2013–2017, 2022)
- Top Race NOA (2013–2015)
- Top Race V6 (2009–2011, 2013–2016)
- World Touring Car Championship
- FIA WTCC Race of Argentina (2013–2017)
Multiple winners
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
| # Wins | Rider | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 3 |  Marc Márquez | 2014, 2016, 2019 |
| 2 |  Johann Zarco | 2015, 2016 |
 Marco Bezzecchi | 2018, 2023 |
Lap records
As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo are listed as:
Notes
References
External links
Media related to Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo at Wikimedia Commons