Velociudad will be one of the biggest motoring areas of Latin America

Autor: todofierro 16/12/2011

Today was held an event to officially start the works of the Velociudad Speedcity Circuit, a project for the first Argentinean complex designed for premium levels of motorsport. This undertaking has an ambitious goal: bring Formula 1 back to Argentina.

The 62 hectares complex, located in the Zárate county, around the 81 km marker in the intersection of the National Route 9 (RN9 in Spanish) and the Provincial Route 123 (RP123), was selected for its easy access and because it’s located in a geographical center between Buenos Aires, Rosario and Córdoba, besides being surrounded by international automotive plants and close to the Zárate Port.

The works will require some 100 million dollars that will be contributed by Argentinean and British businessmen. Apart from the track, the complex will have a professional driving academy, a mechanic training school, a six star hotel resort and exclusive services for members that will join an exclusive private club.

Also the academy building will have a driving school that will be intended for training the future generation of international drivers and also will have a mechanic school to offer training to local specialists in vehicle repair and maintenance.

This complex will allow to test road vehicles, sport vehicles and motorcycles in all the different course layouts, with a 4×4 park and a test drive center that will allow to simulate extreme atmospheric conditions, with slippery roads, wet roads, etc.

The development group’s President Eddie Freedmam commented to the attendance that Velociudad will have an international level and will be the only racing circuit in Argentina in a position to receive Formula 1 because it will comply with the safety and paving standards according to the grade 1 approval, the FIA’s top quality target and it will be suitable for all the professional categories at a national and international level.

Freedman contracted one of the most important worldwide companies for the racing track design: Populous, which is an architecture firm specialized in creating exceptional spaces and designs with an international well-known experience in motor-racing design through ambitious projects such as Silverstone Circuit and Dubai Autodrome.

This complex will have a construction period of three years roughly divided into several phases. The first phase will end about mid-2013 of that is due to build a first circuit of 3.6 kilometers that will be extended to 5.4 kilometers, as well as the 4×4 park, the clubhouse and the exclusive house for car brands.

The drivers Gonzalo Perlo, who participates in the TRV6 championship and Eric Lichtenstein, who is currently making a racing career in England, had the opportunity to go around the circuit in a single-seater.

Journalist: Carolina Montoro Justo
Photo: Daniel Caamaño