Autódromo Internacional de Guaporé
Encyclopedia
Autódromo Internacional de Guaporé is a motorsports circuit
in Guaporé
, a small city in southern Brazil
. It is one of the oldest race tracks in the country and traditionally hosts events such as a yearly race in the Brazilian Fórmula Truck Championship
, as well as several legs of the various local Drag Racing
championships, attracting up to 60,000 spectators.
whose carrier made him move to the city of Dois Lajeados
and, in 1967, to Guaporé. In his spare time, Barro raced a Simca Chambord (# 64) and eventually became State Champion.
Otolip Dalbosco, they built a circuit around the aerodrome's two runways, which were perpendicular to each other, thus the peculiar "T" shape of the track, still noticeable today.
The first circuit, made of oil-impregnated dirt, was completed in only 3 years and, on 21 December 1969, it was inaugurated with a race involving 72 cars from all over the state and with the supervision and approval of the state's racing authority. The event's success brought great attention to AGA's work, setting the cornerstone to future developments.
over a better designed circuit, the construction of the pit lane
, garages and all the infrastructure necessary for larger events. The association not only managed to get support from the City, State and Federal Governments but also from neighbouring cities, several private businesses and even the Army.
After much work, on 17 October 1976, the Guaporé Municipal Raceway was completed with its tarmac track. The celebration coincided with the 5th Race of the 1976 Brazilian Formula Ford
Championship. The first international event took place on 17 November 1985 on the occasion of the 10th Race of South American Formula Three
Championship.
Championship, with great attendances by people from all over the country. Despite being AGA's main source of income, Fórmula Truck, allied with insufficient maintenance, resulted in the severe degradation of the asphalt layer, compromising safety conditions and impeding larger events such as Stock Car Brasil
from taking place. Even the drag races that used to draw younger enthusiasts in large numbers were reduced due to irregularities in the main straight that forced contestants to race an eight of a mile, instead of the usual quarter mile.
In late 2010, after a long and difficult process of searching for support, AGA finally managed to execute de long-awaited replacement of the asphalt layer, rejuvenating the circuit and allowing the eventual return of greater importance championships. They still have great challenges to face such as the restoration and upgrade of the pit lane area, improvement of the tracks safety features and visitor infrastructure. The delay to finish such works and the many new race tracks being built in the state, including the very modern Velopark near the state capital
, allied to the city's limited capacity for receiving tourists, make the task of bringing back the great national races a very challenging one.
The medical office is located on a separate building next to the pit lane exit and has a terrace that allows clear view of all the track. The permanent equipment is minimal and limited, but all races are held with the presence of Mobile ICUs. Access to the internal area is through a tunnel that crosses the track near the tunnel corner, thus the name.
The track itself is characterized by the accentuated banking of the corners, many of which bank more than 10°. The main straight is about 800 m long and 17 m wide. These traits make the circuit a very fast one, worsening still the safety shortcomings of the track, that lacks sufficient containment barriers and escape areas in many corners. AGA plans to address such concerns over the next stages in the remodelling efforts, now that the track surface problem has been dealt with, after consulting with specialists to find viable solutions considering the space concerns in most problem sites.
Spectators most commonly settle themselves on the hill side that borders the so-called Radiator Corner, where many camp during the events and watch the races while using the barbecue grills available on-site and the facilities of the Radiator Cabin, the restaurant established on the top of the hill. When more space is needed, bleachers are erected on the outer sides of corner 2 and the main straight, both places provide excellent view of the track.
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
in Guaporé
Guaporé, Rio Grande do Sul
Guaporé is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is the state's greatest jewelry and lingerie producer, ranking second in the country. The city was mainly colonized by Italian immigrants in the 19th century and still retains their traditions...
, a small city in southern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It is one of the oldest race tracks in the country and traditionally hosts events such as a yearly race in the Brazilian Fórmula Truck Championship
Fórmula Truck
Fórmula Truck is a Brazilian motorsport series, competed by truck tractor units.-History:Origin of the category came from the contact between the truck Aurélio Batista Félix Santos and Portuguese journalist Francisco Santos. On September 6, 1987 was the first race on the circuit Autodromo...
, as well as several legs of the various local Drag Racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
championships, attracting up to 60,000 spectators.
History
The history of Guaporé's race track begins with the arrival of Dr. Nelson Luiz Barro, a doctor from Caxias do SulCaxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. Coordinates: 29°10′0″ S, 51°11′0″ W....
whose carrier made him move to the city of Dois Lajeados
Dois Lajeados
-See also:*List of municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul...
and, in 1967, to Guaporé. In his spare time, Barro raced a Simca Chambord (# 64) and eventually became State Champion.
Establishment of AGA and first circuit
Barro manageded to entice many young people with his passion for racing and, on the 1st of September, 1969, they founded the Guaporense Racing Association (AGA - Associação Guaporense de Automobilismo), a group still responsible for maintaining the site. The newly-formed group went looking for a place to build a race track and found the city's then-aerodrome, closed off by the aviation authority at the time. Supported by mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Otolip Dalbosco, they built a circuit around the aerodrome's two runways, which were perpendicular to each other, thus the peculiar "T" shape of the track, still noticeable today.
The first circuit, made of oil-impregnated dirt, was completed in only 3 years and, on 21 December 1969, it was inaugurated with a race involving 72 cars from all over the state and with the supervision and approval of the state's racing authority. The event's success brought great attention to AGA's work, setting the cornerstone to future developments.
Asphalt circuit and growth
With the success came the goal of giving the racetrack a more definitive shape through the application of a layer of asphalt concreteAsphalt concrete
Asphalt concrete is a composite material commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports and parking lots. It consists of asphalt and mineral aggregate mixed together, then laid down in layers and compacted...
over a better designed circuit, the construction of the pit lane
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
, garages and all the infrastructure necessary for larger events. The association not only managed to get support from the City, State and Federal Governments but also from neighbouring cities, several private businesses and even the Army.
After much work, on 17 October 1976, the Guaporé Municipal Raceway was completed with its tarmac track. The celebration coincided with the 5th Race of the 1976 Brazilian Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
Championship. The first international event took place on 17 November 1985 on the occasion of the 10th Race of South American Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
Championship.
New challenges
Over the past decades, the main event hosted by the Autódromo de Guaporé has been the annual race in the Fórmula TruckFórmula Truck
Fórmula Truck is a Brazilian motorsport series, competed by truck tractor units.-History:Origin of the category came from the contact between the truck Aurélio Batista Félix Santos and Portuguese journalist Francisco Santos. On September 6, 1987 was the first race on the circuit Autodromo...
Championship, with great attendances by people from all over the country. Despite being AGA's main source of income, Fórmula Truck, allied with insufficient maintenance, resulted in the severe degradation of the asphalt layer, compromising safety conditions and impeding larger events such as Stock Car Brasil
Stock Car Brasil
Stock Car Brasil is a Touring car auto racing series held in Brazil, its first season was in 1979, it's considered the major Brazilian motorsports series...
from taking place. Even the drag races that used to draw younger enthusiasts in large numbers were reduced due to irregularities in the main straight that forced contestants to race an eight of a mile, instead of the usual quarter mile.
In late 2010, after a long and difficult process of searching for support, AGA finally managed to execute de long-awaited replacement of the asphalt layer, rejuvenating the circuit and allowing the eventual return of greater importance championships. They still have great challenges to face such as the restoration and upgrade of the pit lane area, improvement of the tracks safety features and visitor infrastructure. The delay to finish such works and the many new race tracks being built in the state, including the very modern Velopark near the state capital
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area . It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian...
, allied to the city's limited capacity for receiving tourists, make the task of bringing back the great national races a very challenging one.
Facilities
The auxiliary facilities to the Vitacir Paludo Circuit include 40 pit lane garages, with large nearby off-loading ramps, a refuelling station, tyre repair facilities and a VIP area above the pit lane. The judges' tower also has a press room, sign-up area, administration office and judges' room, all big enough to host medium-sized events. There are two restaurants and a two-floor bathroom that can be used by teams and VIP guests.The medical office is located on a separate building next to the pit lane exit and has a terrace that allows clear view of all the track. The permanent equipment is minimal and limited, but all races are held with the presence of Mobile ICUs. Access to the internal area is through a tunnel that crosses the track near the tunnel corner, thus the name.
The track itself is characterized by the accentuated banking of the corners, many of which bank more than 10°. The main straight is about 800 m long and 17 m wide. These traits make the circuit a very fast one, worsening still the safety shortcomings of the track, that lacks sufficient containment barriers and escape areas in many corners. AGA plans to address such concerns over the next stages in the remodelling efforts, now that the track surface problem has been dealt with, after consulting with specialists to find viable solutions considering the space concerns in most problem sites.
Spectators most commonly settle themselves on the hill side that borders the so-called Radiator Corner, where many camp during the events and watch the races while using the barbecue grills available on-site and the facilities of the Radiator Cabin, the restaurant established on the top of the hill. When more space is needed, bleachers are erected on the outer sides of corner 2 and the main straight, both places provide excellent view of the track.