CIRCUIT HISTORIES GUIDE by Jamie Stafford/Wolf Feather FEATHER7@IX.NETCOM.COM Initial Version Completed: October 2, 2002 Version 4.0 Completed: February 21, 2003 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== JOIN THE FEATHERGUIDES E-MAIL LIST: To be the first to know when my new and updated guides are released, join the FeatherGuides E-mail List. Go to http://www.coollist.com/group.cgi?l=featherguides for information about the list and to subscribe for free. ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CONTENTS Spacing and Length Permissions Introduction Assumptions and Conventions A1-Ring (Austria) Adelaide (Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Temporary Street Circuit) Albert Park (Melbourne, Australia; Temporary Street Circuit) Atlanta Motor Speedway (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari (Imola, Italy) Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez (Mexico City, Mexico) Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Brazil) Autodromo Nazionale Monza (Milan, Italy) Barbagallo Raceway (Wanneroo, Western Australia, Australia) Bathurst (Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia) Bayfront Park (Temporary Street Circuit; Miami, Florida, USA) Brands Hatch (United Kingdom) Bristol Dragway (Bristol, Tennessee, USA) Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, Tennessee, USA) Brno (Brno, Czech Republic) Bugatti (Le Mans, France) Burke Lakefront Airport (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) California Speedway (Fontana, California, USA) Canberra 400 Street Race (Australian Capital Territory, Australia) Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain) Chicago Motor Speedway (Cicero, IL, USA) Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet, Illinois, USA) Circuit Dijon-Prenois (France) Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Circuit Trois-Rivieres, Le (Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada) Circuit Zolder (Heusden-Zolder, Belgium) Darlington Raceway (Darlington, South Carolina, USA) Daytona International Speedway Denver (Denver, Colorado, USA; temporary street circuit) Donington Park (Castle Donington, Derby, United Kingdom) Dover International Speedway (Dover, Delaware, USA) Eastern Creek International Raceway (Blacktown Delivery Centre, New South Wales, Australia) Fuji (Japan) Hidden Valley Raceway (Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia) Hockenheim (Germany) Hungaroring (Hungary) Indianapolis Motor Speedway (F1; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Non-F1; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) Infineon Raceway (California, USA) Laguna Seca (Monterey, California, USA) Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) Le Mans (Le Mans, France) Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, Connecticut, USA) Long Beach (Long Beach, CA, USA) Lowe's Motor Speedway (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio, USA) Monte Carlo (Monaco) Mosport International Raceway (Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada) Nevers Magny-Cours (Nevers, France) Nurburgring (Germany) Oran Park Raceway (Narellan, New South Wales, Australia) Oulton Park (Cheshire, England) Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (Cowes, Phillips Island, Australia) RFK Stadium (Temporary Parking Lot Circuit; Washington, D.C., USA) Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA) Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center (Braselton, Georgia, USA) Rockingham Motor Speedway (United Kingdom) Sebring International Raceway (Sebring, Florida, USA) Sepang Circuit (Kuala Lampur, Malaysia) Silverstone (United Kingdom) Snetterton (Snetterton, Norwich, United Kingdom) Spa-Francorchamps (Spa, Belgium) Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, Australia) Suzuka (Japan) Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, Alabama, USA) Thruxton (Andover, United Kingdom) Toronto (Street Circuit; Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Twin Ring Motegi (Motegi, Japan) Vancouver (Street Circuit; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, New York, USA) Winton Motor Raceway (Benalla, Victoria, Australia) Zolder (Belgium) Contact Information ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== SPACING AND LENGTH For optimum readability, this driving guide should be viewed/printed using a monowidth font, such as Courier. Check for font setting by making sure the numbers and letters below line up: 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ============================================== PERMISSIONS Permission is hereby granted for a user to download and/or print out a copy of this driving guide for personal use. However, due to the extreme length, printing this driving guide may not be such a good idea. This driving guide may only be posted on: FeatherGuides, and GameFAQs.com. Please contact me for permission to post elsewhere on the Internet. Should anyone wish to translate this game guide into other languages, please contact me for permission(s) and provide me with a copy when complete. Remember: Plagiarism in ANY form is NOT tolerated!!!!! ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== INTRODUCTION This predecessor to this guide was created due to a personal inquiry, wishing to learn more about the history of the race venues currently used in F1 competition; this guide takes that information and expands it to cover other racing venues (F1 and otherwise) worldwide. This is not intended to be a detailed history of all the race venues, but more of a general overview of the circuits. As more information is gained, this guide will be modified and expanded accordingly. The majority of information for this guide comes from circuits' official Web sites, Formula1.com (http://www.formula1.com/), NASCAR.com (http://www.NASCAR.com/), and Driver Network (http://www.drivernetwork.net/). In some cases, historical information is taken directly from the circuits' own official Web sites. To the extent possible, I will try to update circuit wins as best as I can, although that admittedly is not initially a priority in writing this guide (especially for a guide as massive as this). Those with additional information and/or suggestions on circuits to add to the guide should contact me (FEATHER7@IX.NETCOM.COM). ============================================== ASSUMPTIONS AND CONVENTIONS Most race circuits outside the United States (and a very few within) name most corners and chicanes, and even some straightaways. Where these names are known and relevant to the circuit histories, they will be given. These names have been gathered from course maps available on the courses' official Web sites, my memory of how races have been called by American TV sportscasters (Fox Sports Net and SpeedVision, in 1999 2001, and Speed Channel in 2002), and/or from the Training Mode of F1 Championship Season 2000 (corner/segment names are listed at the bottom of the screen). To the extent possible, these names have been translated into English. ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== A1-RING (AUSTRIA) The A1-Ring has been the host of F1's Grand Prix of Austria since 1997, but also hosts Truck Grand Prix, Classic Grand Prix, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and motorbikes, among other racing series. The 2002 Grand Prix of Austria was surrounded by controversy following an extreme Ferrari public relations faux pas. Reubens Barrichello had truly dominated the entire race weekend, and was definitely on his way to his second-ever F1 win. In the closing laps of the race, teammate Michael Schumacher (P2) began closing in on Barrichello, but the assumption was that this move was to allow Ferrari's cars to be close enough for a photo opportunity for its sponsors. However, since Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya (Schumacher's closest expected competition) were at that point very close in points in the Drivers' Championship, Barrichello - who that week had signed a contract extension as the NUMBER TWO TEAM DRIVER behind Michael Schumacher - was ordered to pull aside in the final meters of the race to allow his teammate to gain an extra four points in his lead over Montoya (P1 awards 10 points; P2 awards 6 points). While FIA could not do anything against the team or the drivers for the team orders, the fans in the stands (and myself watching live on television at 7AM in Arizona) were FURIOUS. Michael Schumacher having officially 'won' the race was to take the top rung on the podium, but instead took the second rung and pushed the 'true' winner Reubens Barrichello to the top rung; the FIA took objection to this and sanctioned the team and the drivers at a special hearing later in the year. F1 winners at A1-Ring: Jacques Villeneuve (1997), Mika Hakkinen (1998 and 2000), Eddie Irvine (1999), David Coulthard (2001), and Michael Schumacher (the official winner in 2002 - see the note on the controversy above, as many consider that Reubens Barrichello won the race). See the official Web site (http://www.a1ring.at/) for more information. Unfortunately, it does not appear to have any historical information on the circuit itself, nor can I find any such information online. Also, the official Web site is entirely in German, a language I cannot read. ============================================== ADELAIDE (ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA; TEMPORARY STREET CIRCUIT) This 3.22-kilometer (2.01-mile) temporary street circuit was used for eleven years by Formula1 for the Grand Prix of Australia (which is now held at Albert Park in Melbourne). It is currently used by Australia's V8 Supercars series in the same configuration as the F1 series. Official history relating to the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercars race: Since the inaugural 1999 Sensational Adelaide 500 attracted 162,000 patrons ­ a record for a national motorsport meeting in Australia, the event has not stopped growing in popularity and audience. The 2000 event attracted another record crowd for a national motorsport event, 164,000. The 2001 event raised the bar even higher, attracting a crowd of 166,800 spectators and the 2002 event surpassed all expectations with a new record attendance of 171,200. The event has been awarded the AVESCO 'Motorsport Event of the Year' for each year ­ 1999, 2000, 2001, as well as the Yellow Pages Tourism Award as South Australia's best major festival or special event. Over its three-year history the Clipsal 500 Adelaide has provided economic benefit to SA totaling $44.9m, with visitor bed nights having increased forty two per cent to 43,400, and the length of stay of visitors increasing from five to seven nights. This year [2002] 21,000 grandstand seats were built, providing more than three thousand extra as compared with last year (2001). Corporate clients this year numbered over 8,000 per day. Increasing from the 2001 daily figure of 7,200. Employment as a result of the event has increased to 290 full time job equivalents, while the media benefit (that is the value of international and national television, radio and press coverage) had grown by 32% over the past three years with the total value being $87.67m. A New Family Area was introduced to the event this year. The area, located in the Rymill Park Lake section of the circuit off Bartels Road (Adelaide Straight) was a designated 'dry zone' and provided a number of free attractions for children from 10am to 4pm each day, including face painting, a jumping castle, a horse & car carousel, and ladybird carousel. The area was complete with a Clipsal Vision Super screen for ease of viewing. This year two concerts were held at the event. The Saturday Night After Race Concert delivered the ultimate country show with a city appeal - featuring Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole, with the Sunday Night Concert featuring Australia's premiere male vocal group Human Nature, joined by special guest Deni Hines, and new South Australian talent, Candyce. The Clipsal 500 Adelaide track was modified for this year's event. The turn 8 / 9 chicane was removed making it a fast sweeper from Adelaide Straight on to Brabham Straight. The nominated charity to benefit from fundraising opportunities during the 2002 event was The Leukaemia Foundation of SA. The Clipsal 500 Adelaide television audience had grown, not only on Network 10 throughout Australia, but live in New Zealand and with a growing global audience which included South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Russia, forty four countries in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States and South America. See the official Web site (http://www.clipsal500.com.au/) for more information. This information on the 1994 F1 race at Adelaide is provided by ViperMask, one of the biggest F1 fans I have ever met. It is edited only for formatting purposes. Adelaide. This was the final race of the 1994 F1 season (the season often referred to as "The Year in Hell.") and during the race; Michael Schumacher messed up and tapped the wall at a turn. Damon Hill cut to the inside on the next turn, but Michael (who have catched up) steered right into Damon Hill, taking them both out (and with Michael's Benetton riding on 2 wheels for 3 seconds!) Michael won the championship because he was leading in the points that season. Damon Hill, and many others (including me) blamed Michael for trying to take Damon out. ============================================== ALBERT PARK (MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA; TEMPORARY STREET CIRCUIT) The Albert Park circuit is a beautiful tree-lined venue using real Melbourne city streets encircling the serene Albert Park Lake. The Albert Park circuit has hosted the Grand Prix of Australia since 1996, taking over from the Adelaide temporary street circuit. Over 400,000 spectators saw the 1997 Grand Prix of Australia in person at the Albert Park venue. The 2002 Grand Prix of Australia was extremely eventful from the very beginning - to the extent that only eight cars finished the race!!! Rubens Barrichello began the race from Pole Position (P1), but on slowing for the first corner of the circuit, Ralf Schumacher (brother of Michael Schumacher) rammed the rear of Barrichello's Ferrari and was sent airborne, landing in the massive sand trap at the end of Pit Straight with far too much damage to continue. The incident created a massive chain-reaction melee as the other drivers scrambled to take evasive action... but many ended up taking each other out of contention due to massive damage. Seven other drivers were forced to retire from the race due to extreme damage. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries - just a lot of bruised egos and angry tempers. Stupidly, however, the race marshals made the decision to send out the Safety Car instead of red-flagging the race; had the race been stopped instead, FIA rules would have permitted all those drivers involved in the incident to use their back-up ('T') cars when the race was restarted. Of course, those drivers whose cars were damaged in the opening-lap melee were able to take advantage of the Safety Car situation to make repairs and rejoin the race. F1 winners at Albert Park include Damon Hill (1996), David Coulthard (1997), Mika Hakkinen (1998), Eddie Irvine (1999), and Michael Schumacher (2000-2002). The official Web site of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (http://www.grandprix.com.au/cars/index.asp) features information on Australian F1 driver Mark Webber. Interestingly, there is a movement afoot - Save Albert Park (http://www.save-albert-park.org.au/) - which aims to prevent the relocation of the Grand Prix of Australia to a permanent race venue. ============================================== ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY (ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA) The 24-degree, 1.54-mile quad-oval at Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts many racing series, notably NASCAR's Atlanta 500 and NAPA 500 (Winston Cup), and ARCA 400 and Aaron's 312 (Busch Series). Several racing schools also use Atlanta Motor Speedway, including FastTrack, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Jarrett/Farve Driving Adventure, Buck Baker Racing School, The Racing Experience, Speed Tech Auto Racing School, and Racing Reality. An unusual event is the annual International Truck Challenge, a competition in which the big-rig drivers for NASCAR teams show their unique skills. In terms of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt holds the race speed record at 163.633MPH (261.813KPH, set November 12, 1995) for Winston Cup, and mark Martin holds the Busch Series record at 151.751MPH (242.802KPH, set March 8, 1997). For qualifying, Geoff Bodine holds the Winston Cup record at 197.478MPH 315.965KPH, set November 16, 1997), with the Busch Series record held by Ryan Newman at 191.661MPH (306.658KPH, set March 9, 2001). Unfortunately, the official Web site (http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/) does not include any historical information on Atlanta Motor Speedway. ============================================== AUTODROMO ENZO & DINO FERRARI (IMOLA, ITALY) Used for F1 racing since 1963, the Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari is actually located in Italy (20 miles - or 32 kilometers - from Bologna) even though it officially hosts the Grand Prix of San Marino. Construction of the circuit began in 1950, and three years later was officially opened with 125cc & 500cc motorbike events. However, only in 1979 was the entire venue made permanent; before this time, part of the circuit was comprised of public roads. The 1963 F1 race was an untitled race, but was indeed part of the Formula1 series. In 1980, the Imola circuit hosted its first World F1 race as the Grand Prix of Italy. Beginning in 1981, the race at Imola was named the Grand Prix of San Marino. Two notable major incidents occurred at Imola. The first was in 1989, when Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger crashed and exploded in flames. Nearly a full fifteen seconds later, the flames were extinguished and Berger saved to the delight of the concerned spectators; in fact, Berger re-entered the race!!! Five years later, during the qualifier race and the actual Grand Prix, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna lost their lives. (There has practically been a 'cult' surrounding the death of Ayrton Senna, and there are several Web sites which include details as well as video of his tragic death.) Due to these incidents, the circuit was redesigned. F1 winners at Imola: Nelson Piquet (1981), Didier Pironi (1982), Patrick Tambay (1983), Alain Prost (1984, 1984, and 1993), Elio de Angelis (1985), Nigel Mansell (1987 and 1992), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1989, and 1991), Riccardo Patrese (1990), Michael Schumacher (1994, 1999, 2000, and 2002), Damon Hill (1995 and 1996), Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1997), David Coulthard (1998), and Ralf Schumacher (2001). Visit the official Web site (http://www.autodromoimola.com/) for more information. ============================================== AUTODROMO HERMANOS RODRÍGUEZ (MEXICO CITY, MEXICO) This 2.75-mile (4.40-kilometer) permanent road circuit began hosting CART events in 2001. As such, there is no real history available for this circuit. See the official Web site (http://www.telmexgigantegranpremiomexico.com/) for more information. ============================================== AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (BRAZIL) The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace has hosted the Grand Prix of Brazil intermittently since 1973, but has held the event consistently since 1990. As with many race venues, the circuit was originally longer (7.914 kilometers, or 4.946 miles) than its current configuration (4.267 kilometers, or 2.667 miles). This is also an odd venue in that races are run counterclockwise. This is definitely a tricky circuit to master, built upon a steep hillside. The very end of Pit Straight is the highest point of the circuit, then the circuit drops away significantly on a steep downhill S-curve which is one of the most dangerous areas in all of current F1 racing. The majority of Sector 2 and the beginning of Sector 3 are a set of tight, twisty corners connected with VERY brief straightaways, all tempered with significant elegant changes. F1 winners at Interlagos: Emerson Fittipaldi (1973 and 1974), Carlos Pace (1975), Niki Lauda (1976), Carlos Reutemann (1977), Jacques Laffite (1979), Rene Arnoux (1980), Alain Prost (1990), Ayrton Senna (1991 and 1993), Nigel Mansell (1992), Michael Schumacher (1994, 1995, 2000, and 2002), Damon Hill (1996), Jacques Villeneuve (1997), Mika Hakkinen (1998 and 1999), and David Coulthard (2001). Unfortunately, I am currently unable to find any further online information concerning the Interlagos venue. ============================================== AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA (MILAN, ITALY) Originally opened in 1922 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Milan Automobile Club, the Monza circuit (Autodromo Nazionale Monza), near Milan, Italy, has been the site of more F1 grand prix events than any other. The Monza circuit has seen numerous configurations, including the famous banked section from 1955 to 1961. Monza has always been an incredibly fast race venue... and with this speed comes even greater danger. Phil Hill's 1961 race victory (his second consecutive win at Monza) was severely overshadowed by a collision between Jim Clark and Wolfgang von Trips which took the lives of the latter driver and over one dozen spectators. A 1970 mechanical failure during Qualifying killed Jochen Rindt, so one may not be surprised that chicanes, guard rails, and reinforced fencing were added beginning in 1972 as an attempt to slow the cars and make Monza's events safer for all involved; however, the chicanes specifically were really just makeshift safety measures due to the increasing performance in virtually all realms of motorsport. In more recent years, the opening lap of the 2000 Grand Prix of Italy was seriously marred by the death of a trackside race marshal due to all the flying debris at the Roggia Chicane (the second chicane of the circuit). While there were no dangerous incidents at the 2001 Grand Prix of Italy, that particular event happened to be scheduled for the first weekend following the world- shocking terrorist attacks on the United States (September 11, 2001) AND the near-fatal accident at a new race venue in Germany (the previous afternoon) which forced the amputation of the legs of CART driver Alex Zanardi; these events cast a dark shadow over the race itself as well as the entire Grand Prix weekend. On a far more positive note, Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya - truly making his first great impact upon the F1 world following several years of astounding success in CART - broke Keke Rosberg's twenty-seven-year record for the fastest ever F1 qualifying lap. Rosberg's then record-setting lap was 259.005KPH (161.878MPH) set at Silverstone; Montoya's new record-setting lap was 259.827KPH (162.392MPH). What makes Montoya's achievement even more impressive is that Michelin- shod F1 vehicles (led by Williams and McLaren) have generally not been able to compete with Bridgestone-shod cars (led by Ferrari). The Monza circuit has seen all sorts of motorsport events, including motorcycles and touring cars, and currently is 5.736 kilometers (3.585 miles) in length. A recent Italian telefilm on the life of Enzzo Ferrari exclusively used the Monza circuit for its racing shots using time-appropriate vehicles. Notable F1 winners at Monza: Alberto Ascari (1951 and 1952), Juan Manuel Fangio (1953-1955), Stirling Moss (1956 and 1957), Stirling Moss (1959), Jim Clark (1963), Jackie Stewart (1965 and 1969), Emerson Fittipaldi (1972), Mario Andretti (1977), Niki Lauda (1978 and 1984), Alain Prost (1981, 1985, and 1989), Nelson Piquet (1983, 1986, and 1987), Ayrton Senna (1990 and 1992), Michael Schumacher (1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002), and Juan Pablo Montoya (2001). The official Web site of Autodromo Nazionale Monza (http://www.monzanet.it/) has plenty of great information, including a large track map of Monza's various configurations and plenty of images of racing action on Monza's banked turns. ============================================== BARBAGALLO RACEWAY (WANNEROO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA) This 2.415-kilometer (1.509-mile) race venue was constructed in 1968, opening the following year. This is the only permanent racing venue in Western Australia. Via a shortcut from Turn 5, this venue also has a short circuit of 1.76 kilometers (1.1 miles) in length. Races here include V8 Supercar and Super Truck. See the official Web site (http://www.wascc.com.au/) for more information. ============================================== BATHURST (BATHURST, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA) From the official Web site of Bathurst 24 Hours (since there is no official Web site for the circuit itself; unfortunately, there is very little historical information available here): This unique circuit is located literally at the end of the main street of Bathurst, a city of 40,000 people with another 160,000 located within an 80-kilometer radius. It holds legendary status within Australian motorsport history, having hosted long distance races every year since 1963. ... The circuit runs 6.213 kms in an anti-clockwise direction. A lap time for FIA N-GT cars is expected to be in the 2 min 10 sec to 2 min 15 sec region. Although it is usually a public road, the track is constructed to an extremely high standard for racing with excellent surfaces, width and safety. The main pit areas feature permanent lock-up garages (55) with overhead corporate hospitality suites. Additional temporary pit structures will be provided for the Bathurst 24hr situated along Mountain Straight. All pit garages will use the same pit exit lane to the circuit. ... Mount Panorama is the only active motor racing track in Australia, which is open to the public. It is 6.213 kms in length, 870 metres above sea level at its height, 670 metres above sea level at its lowest point and has grades of up to 1 in 6.13 - downhill on the actual racing circuit. See the official Web site of Bathurst 24 Hours (http://www.bathurst24hr.com/) for more information. ============================================== BAYFRONT PARK (TEMPORARY STREET CIRCUIT; MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA) This 1.387-mile (2.219-kilometer) temporary street circuit is located in downtown Miami. This circuit is used by CART, Trans-Am, and ALMS, and 2002 was the first year for this circuit's current usage (a very different configuration in a different section of the downtown area has been used in previous years). See the official Web site (http:// www.MiamiRace.com) for more information. There is no history information available at this Web site. ============================================== BRANDS HATCH (UNITED KINGDOM) Events at Brands Hatch include: MRO Powerbike, BRSCC Championship, Aston Martin Race Weekend, Champion of Brands, Historic Superprix, British F3, WSB Championship, Ferrari and Maserati Festival, British Touring Cars, MG Racing Spectacular, and Formula Ford Festival. Official circuit history (from the Octagon Motorsports Web site): Since its birth in 1926 as a local bicycle-racing venue, Brands Hatch has become synonymous with the best of British motor racing. Situated in a natural bowl, the circuit provided panoramic views of all the action, so its popularity as a racing venue grew rapidly. In 1950 Brands Hatch consisted of a mile-long oval tarmac circuit, but extensions and improvements meant that by 1960, Brands Hatch was ready to host Grand Prix events, and to write itself into the history books. In 1964, Jim Clarks won the European Grand Prix - not long after, he posted the first 100 mph lap of the circuit. A regular Grand Prix venue in the 70's and 80's, Brands Hatch also provided Nigel Mansell with his first World Championship win in 1985. Unofficial circuit history (from grandprix.com): It was back in 1926 that a group of cyclists on the main road from London to Folkestone noticed a natural amphitheater on land belonging to Brands Hatch farm, near the village of West Kingsdown. After discussions with the local farmer it was agreed that the field could be used for bicycle racing and time trials. Within a couple of years motorcycles had begun to use the dirt track and a three-quarter mile circuit was laid out in the little valley. It remained in operation throughout the 1930s but it was not until after World War II that a proper organization was established. That came with the formation of Brands Hatch Stadium Ltd. in 1947 and later that year the organizers convinced the BBC to film motorcycle races to be transmitted on the new television network. In April 1950, with a new tarmac surface and extended to a mile, the track opened for car racing with 500cc Formula 3 becoming the mainstay of the racing calendar. In 1953 the Universal Motor Racing Cub was established and a racing school was set up at the circuit. The following year the track was lengthened to 1.24-miles - with the addition of the hairpin at Druids Bend - and widened and the racing changed direction, the track having previously been anti clockwise. A grandstand, acquired from the Northolt trotting track, was added in 1955. The Le Mans disaster that year was to provide a boost to Brands Hatch as many of the rival postwar tracks were closed down because they were not safe enough. Brands Hatch managed to keep up with requirements and in 1956 hosted its first Formula 2 race with victory going to Roy Salvadori, who was in considerable pain having broken several ribs in a crash in an earlier sportscar event. There was a second F2 race a month later which was won by Colin Chapman driving one of his own Lotus 11s. A third F2 race at the end of the season established Brands Hatch as a serious racing circuit although it was obviously too short to attract any major international events. As a result the track authorities applied for planning permission to build an extension through the woods behind the track. The Kent County Council agreed and the new track hosted its first major race in August 1960 with victory in the non-championship Silver City Trophy F1 race going to Jack Brabham in a Cooper-Climax. The following year the circuit's press officer John Webb negotiated the sale of Brands Hatch to Grovewood Securities. He was put in charge of Motor Circuit Developments, the company which took over the management of the track. Major upgrading followed with new facilities added and new circuits acquired by MCD, including Mallory Park (1962), Snetterton (1963) and Oulton Park (1964). In July of that year Brands Hatch hosted its first World Championship F1 race, the RAC having agreed to alternate the British GP between Brands Hatch and Silverstone. From the earliest days Brands had a number of fatal accidents, but in the winter of 1965-66 Paddock Hill Ben in particular had acquired a dreadful eputation, for within a matter of months George Crossman, Tony Flory and Stuart Duncan were killed there and two others were seriously hurt. The death of Jo Siffert in October 1971 would lead to major safety work in 1972. In the 1970s Brands Hatch played an important role in the development of Formula Ford and in 1976 took over the running of the Formula Ford Festival. Two years later Brands Hatch hosted a race featuring Indycars, imported for the occasion from the United States of America. Webb's abilities as an organizer even enabled the track to host the 1983 European Grand Prix at 10 weeks notice after the unexpected cancellation of the New York GP. The last British GP at Brands Hatch was held in 1986 with victory going to Nigel Mansell in a Williams-Honda. That year John Foulston bought Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton from Grovewood Securities and established a new company called Brands Hatch Leisure. The following year the company bought Cadwell Park but tragedy struck when Foulston was killed while testing a McLaren Indycar at Silverstone. BHL was taken over by his widow Mary Foulston, although John Webb remained in charge until his retirement in 1990. The running of the group was then taken over by Nicola Foulston. Without a Grand Prix Brands Hatch concentrated on Formula 3000 but a huge multiple accident in 1988 raised questions of safety again and by 1991 the F3000 circus turned its back on the track. Nicola Foulston was unperturbed and continued to develop BHL as a business. In 1996 she floated the company on the London Stock Exchange. This was a big success and Foulston began to make preparations for a bid for the British Grand Prix. In 1999 she announced that she had acquired the rights to hold the race in 2002. Planning permission was sought for rebuilding work but while this was still being discussed Foulston sold the company to the giant American advertising firm Interpublic for $195m, a premium of 36% on the price of the shares. See the official Web site of Octagon Motorsports (http://circuits.octagonmotorsports.com/) for more information on this and other Octagon Motorsports race venues in the United Kingdom. ============================================== BRISTOL DRAGWAY (BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, USA) At 3,800 feet in length (700 feet of that being concrete), Bristol Dragway can hold up to 30,000 spectators for its events and is a sanctioned race venue of national Hot Rod Association (NHRA). It is located next to Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, USA. Some notable track facts (taken from the official Web site): - The 2001 Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals marked the first time an NHRA national points event was held at Bristol Dragway in more than 3 decades. - Bristol Dragway is built on the site of the original Bristol Dragway, which opened in 1965 with NHRA sanction. - The old Bristol Dragway, operating under IRHA sanction, closed after the 1997 season to make way for a $15 million overhaul. - Earth movers hauled almost one million cubic yards of 'Thunder Valley' to create more pit area and better grandstand access. - Bristol Dragway features two pedestrian tunnels from grandstands to pits. - A new four-story tower features 24 luxury suites. See the official Web site (http://www.bristoldragway.com/) for more information. However, much of the Bristol Dragway information is also available at the official Web site of Bristol Motor Speedway (http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/). ============================================== BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, USA) First used for NASCAR in 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway is the shortest track on the current NASCAR calendar at 0.533 miles (0.853 kilometers) - thus it is known as 'The World's Fastest Half-mile.' Formerly asphalt, the Bristol, Tennessee, USA, circuit was converted to concrete in 1992, and boasts attendance easily topping 150,000 for NASCAR events. The banking is thirty-six degrees in the corners and sixteen degrees on the straightaways. World of Outlaws and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series have also held races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Racing schools at Bristol Motor Speedway include Buck Baker Racing School, Fast Track High Performance Driving School, Jarrett Favre Driving Adventure, Richard Petty Driving Experience, SpeedTech Auto Racing School, and Roy Hill's Drag Racing School. Here is the history of Bristol Motor Speedway as given on the official Web site of the circuit: Bristol Motor Speedway could very easily have opened in 1961 under a different name. The first proposed site for the speedway was in Piney Flats but, according to Carl Moore, who built the track along with Larry Carrier and R.G. Pope, the idea met local opposition. So the track that could have been called Piney Flats International Speedway was built five miles down the road on 11-E in Bristol. The land that Bristol Motor Speedway is built on used to be a dairy farm. Larry Carrier and Carl Moore traveled to Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1960 to watch a race and it was then that they decided to build a speedway in Northeast Tennessee. However, they wanted a smaller model of CMS, something with a more intimate setting and opted to erect a half mile facility instead of mirroring the 1.5-mile track in Charlotte. Work began on what was then called Bristol International Speedway in 1960 and it took approximately one year to finish. Many ideas for the track were scratched on envelopes and brown paper bags by Carrier, Moore and Pope. Purchase of the land on which BMS now sits, as well as construction of the track, cost approximately $600,000. The entire layout for BMS covered 100 acres and provided parking for more than 12,000 cars. The track itself was a perfect half-mile, measuring 60 feet wide on the straightaways, 75 feet wide in the turns and the turns were banked at 22 degrees. Seating capacity for the very first NASCAR race at BMS ­ held on July 30, 1961 ­ was 18,000. Prior to this race the speedway hosted weekly races. The first driver on the track for practice on July 27, 1961 was Tiny Lund in his Pontiac. The second driver out was David Pearson. Fred Lorenzen won the pole for the first race at BMS with a speed of 79.225 mph. Atlanta's Jack Smith won the inaugural event ­ the Volunteer 500 ­ at BMS on July 30, 1961. However, Smith wasn't in the driver's seat of the Pontiac when the race ended. Smith drove the first 290 laps then had to have Johnny Allen, also of Atlanta, take over as his relief driver. The two shared the $3,225 purse. The total purse for the race was $16,625. Nashville star Brenda Lee, who was 17 at the time, sang the national anthem for the first race at BMS. A total of 42 cars started the first race at BMS but only 19 finished. In the fall of 1969 BMS was reshaped and remeasured. The turns were banked at 36 degrees and it became a .533-mile oval. The speedway was sold after the 1976 season to Lanny Hester and Gary Baker. In the spring of 1978 the track name was changed to Bristol International Raceway. In August of 1978 the first night race was held on the oval. On April 1, 1982 Lanny Hester sold his half of the speedway to Warner Hodgdon. On July 6, 1983, Warner Hodgdon completed 100 percent purchase of Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as Nashville Speedway, in a buy-sell agreement with Baker. Hodgdon named Larry Carrier as the track's general manager. On January 11, 1985, Warner Hodgdon filed for bankruptcy. After Warner Hodgdon filed for bankruptcy, Larry Carrier formally took possession of the speedway and covered all outstanding debts. In August of 1992 BMS became the first speedway to host a Winston Cup event that boasted a track surface that was all concrete. On Jan. 22, 1996, Larry Carrier sold the speedway to Bruton Smith at a purchase price of $26 million. At the time of the sale, the facility seated 71,000. On May 28, 1996 the track's name was officially changed to Bristol Motor Speedway. By August of 1996, 15,000 seats had been added bringing the seating capacity to 86,000. BMS continued to grow and by April of 1997 was the largest sports arena in Tennessee and one of the largest in the country, seating 118,000. The speedway also boasted 22 new skyboxes. For the August 1998 Goody's 500 the speedway featured more than 131,000 grandstand seats and 100 skyboxes. Improvements to the speedway since Smith took possession are in excess of $50 million. The seating capacity for the Food City 500 in March of 2000 was 147,000 as the Kulwicki Terrace and Kulwicki Tower were completed. Some notable track facts (taken from the official Web site): - Kurt Busch won his first career Winston Cup race in the 2002 running of the Food City 500. - Tony Stewart's initial Bristol win came in the 2001 Sharpie 500. - Elliott Sadler's victory in 2001 Food City 500 was the first for Bristol victory for Stuart, Va.'s, famed Wood Brothers team. - In 21 of 40 years since Bristol opened, a driver who won a Winston Cup race at Bristol went on to win the series title later the same year. - Rusty Wallace snapped Jeff Gordon's four-year Food City 500 winning streak in 1999 and got his 50th win in 2000. - WCS track qualifying record: Jeff Gordon, 127.216 mph, 15.083 sec. 126.37 mph, 3/22/02. - WCS race record: Charlie Glotzbach, 101.074 mph (2:38:12), 7/11/71. - Most Bristol wins (driver): Darrell Waltrip, 12 (seven consecutive). - Most Bristol wins (car owner): Junior Johnson, 21 (eight consecutive). - Most Bristol wins (manufacturer): Chevrolet, 36 (Ford is second with 23). - Most Bristol poles (driver): Cale Yarborough, nine. - Johnny Allen crossed the finish line first in the inaugural BMS race, but he was driving in relief of Jack Smith, who gets credit for Bristol's first victory. For NASCAR, race speed records are: - Winston Cup: C. Glotzbach at 101.074MPH (161.718KPH, set July 11, 1971) - Busch Series: H. Gant at 92.929MPH (148.686KPH, set April 4, 1992) - Craftsman Trucks: R. Carelli at 83.992MPH (134.387KPH, set June 22, 1996) See the official Web site (http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/) for more information as well as photo galleries. ============================================== BRNO (BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC) This 5.403-kilometer (3.377-mile) circuit is also kn0wn as the Masaryk Circuit, and is located near Brno in the Czech Republic. The official Web site provides this excellent location information: Difference in elevation and attractive forest areas were the attributes of the classical Masaryk Circuit where motorcycle and automobile aces raced in 1930-1986. The same character was kept in the project of the modern closed circuit named Automotodrom brno ­ Masaryk Circuit and located at Kyvalka. The 5,4 km long track is so well positioned in the natural surroundings that it evokes feeling like it had been there always. Forests around the Masaryk Circuit make everyone feel very relaxed whether the racers or visitors and even tourists. Events at Automotodrome Brno include Motojaro and Motopodzim (which allows the average persons to use their own cars and motorcycles on the Brno circuit), Czech Automobile Hill Climb Championship, International Czech Championship of Touring and Formula Cars, FIA GT Championship, FIA Sportscar Championship, FIA European Touring Car Championship, Road Racing Motorcycle Endurance World Championship, International Czech Championship of Touring and Formula Cars, Central European Zone Championship of Touring and Formula Cars, International Cup Racing, Road Racing Motorcycle World Championship (125 cc, 250 cc and MotoGP), Formula 3000 Euro Series, and International Czech Motorcycle Championship, Epilog 2002 (International 6hrs. Endurance race of Touring, Grand Tourismo, Sporting and special cars). Circuit history from the official Web site: More than 70-year-old history of the Masaryk Circuit may be divided into two main eras. The first period belongs to the classical circuit, the history of which began with the first automobile race on Sunday September 28th 1930. The circuit's history is not only long but also very rich and interesting. Breathtaking races on a 29,1 km long track were held on the main road (Brno-Prague) and other local roads before WWII. Motorsport fans going to the Masaryk Circuit nowadays have to drive for a short time on a cobblestone road (hill at Popuvky), which brings the drivers back to the history and let experience the original pre-war track. Today we can only admire the brave knights flying with full throttle at the wheel of Tatras, Z Alfas, Mercedes, Auto Unions ... Yellowish photographs remember the first triumphs of Bugatti cars, the winning hattrick of the Monaco knight Chiron, the rising star and later Formula 1 Champion Farina. Photographers did not miss mad tricks of the 'red devil' Nuvolari, smiles of von Stuck, Rosemeyer, Lang and Caracciola who took the wheel of Mercedes and Auto Union cars. They represented the unbeatable line up of the pre war times. The archives revealed that the first race winner at the Masaryk Circuit was Morgen and the last battle on the endless classical track won Caracciola in 1937. The Masaryk Circuit was shortened to 17,8 kms after the war. The first post-war race was held in 1949 ­ the legendary Czechoslovak Grand Prix, which was ridden in the opposite direction than the pre-war races. Over 400.000 spectators saw a fantastic victory of Whitehead (Ferrari) from England, while the favourites ­ Maserati's Farina, Parnell, Bira and Chiron had to retire due to technical problems or accidents. Motorcycle took over the reign at the Masaryk Circuit in 1950. The political regime at that time was not in favour of the automobile sport and it named it 'bourgeois'. Year after year Brno hosted more quality riders. The success of Czech heroes Stastny, Havel, Bartos, Parus, Kostir, Slavicek and Srna riding with Czech made Jawa and CZ bikes caused a rapid growth of popularity. Newly reconstructed 13,9 km long classical circuit hosted the Road Racing Motorcycle World Championship GP in 1965 for the first time. Brno hosted regularly the series until 1982. The organizers were unable to meet the strict FIM safety regulations and though the track was shortened to 10,9 km the GP could not be held there any more. Before the old circuit finished its history in 1986, it still hosted 4 European Championship events and saw the revival of automobile racing. Cars returned to the Masaryk Circuit in 1962 thanks to Formula Junior races, which were followed by new Formula 3 series two years later. European Touring Cars Championship introduced in 1968 strengthened the image of the Brno circuit. Together with the motorcycle World Championship the Touring cars attracted many spectators to the Masaryk Circuit till the last sporting event. There were many recognised drivers racing in Brno ­F1 champions Rindt and Lauda from Austria or Hulme from New Zealand. The new chapter in the history of the Masaryk Circuit was started in 1987 when the special closed circuit was inaugurated. The new track was well positioned into the beautiful natural terrain. It was located not even 10 km far from the old pits. The atmosphere of pre-war automobile races remember the narrow roads leading from Zebetin to Ostrovacice where the motorised knights cut the corners in the 1930s. The newly built track brought worldwide connaissance of Brno and the Czech Republic however the architects and engineers ad to dedicate a lot of time and effort to finish the construction. With the new track Brno figured again in the motorcycle World Championship calendar after a four year break. Those who admired Agostini, Hailwood, Read, Saarinen, Ivy, Cecotto, Ballington could find their new heroes at the modern Masaryk Circuit among such stars like Gardner, Spencer, Rainey, Lawson, Kocinski, Doohan, Roth, Bradl, Martinez. Some of the old favourites like Mang or sidecar ace Biland returned to Brno, too. Except year 1992 when the organizers did not agree on financial demands with the new series promoter, the Masaryk Circuit hosted the World Championship series regularly. The Czech Grand Prix became the most important sporting event broadcasted thanks to TV to all continents. Brno organizers did their maximum to keep the series, since 1996 they have managed to rebuild the start/finish area, put on new pit boxes, reconstruct the paddock and prolong the track from 5,394 to 5,403 km. The organizers are very proud of the IRTA Trophy, which they received for the best GP in 1999. In between the motorcycle champs changed. Fans hurry to Brno in order to grab autographs of Rossi, Biaggi, Capirossi, Harada, Elias, Poggiali, Roberts jun., McCoy, Nakano, Jacque and also the Czech heroes Hules and Jakub Smrz. The busy life of the Masaryk Circuit saw also twice the Superbike World Championship, once Sport prototypes World Championship, three times the international German Touring Cars and Formula 3 Championship, which brought to the Brno track such stars like Schumacher, Frentzen, Rosberg, Schneder, Danner, Wendlinger and many other formula 1 stars. Coulthard, Häkkinen and the triple F1 World Champion Stewart were among honorary guests to the circuit, too. The rich programme of the circuit hosted the International Sportscar Championship, German and Swiss motorcycle Championship, Austrian automobile Championship or charming battles of historic Formula 1 cars. The international Czech motorcycle and Automobile championships visit Brno regularly. More and more spectators are attracted by the 6 hrs. Touring and sports cars Endurance race however the number on among car races belongs to the FIA GT Championship. The Masaryk Circuit hosts every year a number of test drives, company presentations, social meetings and also other than motorsport activities (dog sledge competition etc.). See the official Web site (http://www.automotodrombrno.cz/index.asp?sekce=0&jazyk=en) for more information. ============================================== BUGATTI (LE MANS, FRANCE) Located 5 kilometers (3.125 miles) from the city of Le Mans, the 4.305-kilometer (2.6756-mile) Bugatti Circuit was built in 1965 and comprises part of the Le Mans circuit. Events held at Bugatti include Les 24 Heures du Mans, FIA F3000, and French Touring Car and GT races. I have been unsuccessful in finding either an official Web site or an official history for the Bugatti Circuit, but have found his (from http://jc.racesimcentral.com/guide/track_bugatti.htm): The Bugatti circuit at LeMans was not a great success. It was run on what was regarded as little more than a car park. One driver even managed to start the Phrase 'Mickey Mouse' which is used much more in modern F1. The drivers of 1967 were so critical of the track that a Grand Prix never returned to the track. A Feature of the track is the low grip nature of the circuit when you make a transition to and from the La Sarthe track onto the Bugatti short circuit. ============================================== BURKE LAKEFRONT AIRPORT (CLEVELAND, OHIO, USA) This 2.106-mile (3.370-kilometer) temporary street circuit is an airport circuit along the southern shore of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, and hosts the annual CART Grand Prix of Cleveland just off Downtown Cleveland. While CART is the featured series, the circuit also hosts SCCA Trans-Am Series, Barber Dodge Race, and Toyota Atlantic Series. Circuit history from the official Web site: Clevelander and Indy car racing advocate, Ernie Holden, was the visionary for a Cleveland Indy car Race at Burke Lakefront Airport. With the help of Chuck Newcomb, President of C.K. Newcomb and Associates and organizer of the National Air Show, Holden ensured that his Grand Prix vision became a reality. A veteran event promoter, Chuck Newcomb worked with the FAA in approving use of Burke Lakefront Airport for the race and coordinated CART's involvement in designing the circuit. It was Chuck Newcomb who served in 1982 as the first President of the 'Budweiser Cleveland 500.' In 1985, the 'Budweiser Cleveland Grand Prix,' was bought and promoted by Shaker Heights native, Roger S. Penske. Then in the fall of 1991, CART removed Cleveland from the organization's schedule. Upon learning of their action, Mayor Michael R. White, along with corporate leaders and Cleveland 500 Foundation Board Members, traveled to Houston to meet with CART. This group successfully convinced CART to put Cleveland back into the 1992 race schedule. 1993 brought another upset: after seven years of ownership, Roger Penske withdrew as owner and operator. Ironically, it was about this time that IMG Motorsports' Meadowlands Race had been canceled. IMG had the date and the staff with which to run a race, but did not have a race. And, Cleveland had a race but no promoter. IMG quickly submitted a bid for the Grand Prix to an eleven member search committee, and won out over two other contenders. In September 1999, IMG Motorsports and CART agreed to a new three-year deal which have kept Champ Cars running at Burke Lakefront Airport through this summer. See the official Web site (http://www.imgmotorsports.com/) for more information. ============================================== CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY (FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, USA) Located in Fontana, California, USA, California Speedway is a two-mile D-shaped oval with fourteen-degree banking in the corners, and set at the site of the former Kaiser Steel Mill approximately forty miles (sixty-four kilometers) from Los Angeles. Major events include the California 500 and Toyota 500. NASCAR race records: - Winston Cup: J. Gordon at 155.012MPH (248.019KPH, set June 22, 1997) - Busch Series: H. Parker Jr. at 155.957MPH (249.531KPH, set April 28, 2001) - Craftsman Trucks: K. Busch at 144.260MPH (182.816KPH, set October 28, 2000) The Indy Racing League (IRL) held its first race at California Speedway on March 24, 2002. There is no official Web site for California Speedway, and I have been unable to find a track history online. ============================================== CANBERRA 400 STREET RACE (AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA) This is a 3.9-kilometer (2.4-mile) street circuit in Canberra which hosts the V8 SuperCar series in Australia. As of this writing, the official Web site (http://www.canberra400.com.au/) listed on the Official Web site of the V8 SuperCar series (http://www.v8supercar.com.au/) is unavailable. ============================================== CATALUNYA (BARCELONA, SPAIN) The Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona has hosted the Grand Prix of Spain since 1997. The circuit hosts numerous forms of racing, including FIA Sportscar Championship, Spanish Formula-1 Grand Prix, 24 HOURS MOTORBIKE ENDURANCE, 24 HOURS CAR ENDURANCE, Catalunya Motorbike Championship, Spanish GT's Championship, Truck GP, and certainly F1 Racing; Catalunya even holds courses for the preparation of racing officials. Many teams also use the circuit for practice and testing. The circuit has three configurations: Grand Prix (7.563 kilometers, or 4.727 miles), National (4.907 kilometers, or 3.067 miles), and School (2.725 kilometers, or 1.703 miles). F1 winners at Catalunya: Jacques Villeneuve (1997), Mika Hakkinen (1998-2000), and Mika Hakkinen (2001 and 2002). See the official Web site (http://www.circuitcat.com) for more information. Unfortunately, it does not have any historical information on the circuit, nor can I find any such information online. ============================================== CHICAGO MOTOR SPEEDWAY (CICERO, IL, USA) This 1.029-mile (1.646-kilometer) oval track near Chicago, Illinois, is the annual host of CART's Grand Prix of Chicago. Other events held here include Toyota Atlantic. The lap record was set July 29, 2000, by Juan Pablo Montoya with a time of 22.107 seconds at a speed of 167.567MPH (268.107KPH). Chicago Motor Speedway also hosts several driving schools, including CART's Driving 101. Circuit history (from http://www.chicagomotorspeedway.com/): Chicago Motor Speedway opened its doors to the public on August 22, 1999, as the venue hosted the inaugural Target Grand Prix Presented by Energizer. Since its debut the Speedway has continued to welcome the CART circuit while also playing host to several other auto racing leagues. The facility is owned by Charles Bidwill III and Chip Ganassi. Bidwill is the President of the National Jockey Club-the company that operates Sportsman's Park. Ganassi owns racing teams in both CART and NASCAR. His CART teams have captured the FedEx Championship in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and also won the Indy 500 in 2000. Throughout its brief history, Chicago Motor Speedway has established itself as one the premier auto racing destinations in the Midwest. More than 60,000 fans have come to each of the CART events held at the Speedway. Located just seven miles from downtown Chicago, the facility is easily accessible via two nearby interstate highways. By continuing to grow its business and making customer service and safety its top priorities, Chicago Motor Speedway is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Chicago area. See the official Web site of the Grand Prix of Chicago (http://www.grandprixofchicago.com/) for more information on this event at Chicago Motor Speedway, as well as the official Web site of Chicago Motor Speedway (http://www.chicagomotorspeedway.com/) for additional information. ============================================== CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY (JOLIET, ILLINOIS, USA) A 1.5-mile D-shaped oval situated in Joliet, Illinois, USA, Chicagoland Speedway hosted the Indy Racing league (IRL) for the first time in 2001 in a race won by Jacques Lazier, who won from Pole Position on September 2, 2001. 2001 was also the first year for NASCAR events at Chicagoland Speedway and its 18-degree corners. NASCAR race records are: - Winston Cup: K. Harvick at 121.200MPH (193.920KPH, set July 15, 2001) - Busch Series: J. Johnson at 119.469MPH (191.150KPH, set July 14, 2001) There is no official Web site for Chicagoland Speedway. This is also an extremely new race venue, with virtually no history (in the traditional sense). ============================================== CIRCUIT DIJON-PRENOIS (FRANCE) This French circuit hosts numerous events: F3, GT, F.Renault Coupe 206CC, Porsche Carrera Cup, an historic Ferrari weekend, Historics Grand Prix, Euro 3000, and F3000. Motorcycle events here include 125cc Open, 250cc Open, 600 Supersport, Super Production, Hornet Cup, Aprilia Cup, Coupe Ducati Club, and Side Car. Historical information (translated and abridged): 1968: Beginning of the 'Automobile Stadium Project' May 26, 1972: Inauguration of Circuit Dijon-Prenois at 3.289km (2.056 miles) June 4, 1972: First race - European Prototype Championship 1974: Host of the first Grand Prix of France (F1); winner: Ronnie Peterson 1975: Host of Grand Prix of Switzerland (F1); winner: Clay Regazzoni 1977: Host of Grand Prix of France; winner: Mario Andretti 1981: Host of Grand Prix of France; winner: Alain Prost (his first F1 win) 1984: Final F1 Grand Prix race held at Dijon-Prenois; winner: Niki Lauda See the official Web site (http://www.circuit-dijon- prenois.com/) for more information. However, the Web site is currently only available in French. ============================================== CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE (MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA) Located on the Ile Notre-Dame in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the circuit has hosted the Grand Prix of Canada since 1978. The circuit is named for Gilles Villeneuve, the first Canadian F1 driver. His first F1 victory was in 1978 at the Canadian Grand Prix on the Ile Notre-Dame track. However, following his death during a practice session for the 1982 Grand Prix of Belgium, the City of Montreal Executive Committee passed a resolution to rename the circuit in honor of Gilles Villeneuve. Jacques Villeneuve, son of Gilles Villeneuve, now competes in F1 (for BAR in 2002), so the Villeneuve name continues on in F1 racing. Many people attempt to compare F1 cars with CART cars. Therefore, it is perhaps not so surprising that in 2002, CART raced at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the first time. Based upon the popularity of this first CART venture to the circuit, CART will likely keep returning to this great race venue for many years and decades to come. F1 winners at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: Gilles Villeneuve (1978), Alan Jones (1979 and 1980), Jacques Laffite (1981), Nelson Piquet (1982, 1984 and 1991), Rene Arnoux (1983), Michele Alboreto (1985), Ayrton Senna (1988 and 1990), Thierry Boutsen (1989), Gerhard Berger (1992), Alain Prost (1993), Michael Schumacher (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2002), Jean Alesi (1995), Damon Hill (1996), Mika Hakkinen (1999), and Ralf Schumacher (2001). The official Web sites (http://www.grandprix.ca and http://www.molsonindy.com/) have plenty of good information, and - including very important circuit access information, since cars cannot be taken to the island. ============================================== CIRCUIT TROIS-RIVIERES, LE (TROIS-RIVIERES, QUEBEC, CANADA) The ten-corner Circuit Trois-Rivieres is located about 80 miles (128 kilometers) north of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This was the first street circuit in use in North America, at 1.06 miles in length; the circuit is now 1.5 miles in length. Race series here include Toyota Atlantic, Trans-Am, Indy Lights, World Challenge, Super Touring, Motorola Cup, Grand- Am, Grand-Am Cup, World Challenge GT, Formula Atlantic, Formula Ford, and American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Information taken from [http://www.autocourse.ca/circuits/troisrivieres.html]. ============================================== CIRCUIT ZOLDER (HEUSDEN-ZOLDER, BELGIUM) Circuit Zolder has been used in the past for F1's Grand Prix of Belgium, but is a 'sore point' amongst many current drivers due to the lack of modernized safety features. For example, the 2002 season featured primarily sand and gravel in the recovery zones, whereas the majority of European racing venues are instead removing sand and gravel to be replaced by more pavement; such changes permit cars to slide off of the actual raceway, recover, and rejoin the race. Events held at Circuit Zolder include: German Touring Cars, World Championship Cyclo-Cross, Road World Championships, FIA Electro Solar Cup, Motorcycle Road Racing Grand Prix, Grand prix of the Nations, European Historic Grand Prix, Truck Super Prix, and 24 Hours of Zolder... among others. Circuit history from the official Web site: The name 'Terlamen' is derived from 'Terlaemen', the name of the local domain that is already quoted in 1293 and at the heart whereof the circuit has been constructed. The community of Heusden-Zolder is the owner of the circuit and of the greater part of the surrounding woods. The vzw Terlamen runs the circuit. In 1959, Auto-Moto-Club Bolderberg came with the idea to build a circuit where its members could practice their hobby. In 1960, this idea was materialised in a small 2,700-meters long circuit. Very soon, it became clear that this circuit was too small for national and international competitions. A permanent and larger circuit was required. On 14 July 1963, the 4,300-meters long circuit was officially inaugurated. After the works in 1994, the length was reduced up to 4,184 meters. Although not the largest, Circuit Zolder surely is one of the safest circuits of the world. Moreover, the track has been built in such a way that the drivers can demonstrate their true capacities. Since the circuit constitutes a closed complex, timings, races or other events can be organised without obstructing the circulation on the public road. Besides many Formula 1 races in the past and other internationally famous races such as the European Historic Grand Prix and the Truck Super Prix, Circuit Zolder hosts many national and regional competitions such as the New Race Festival, the 24 Hours of Zolder, the Belgian Masters and the Race Promotion Night as well. Every year, Circuit Zolder is the place-to-be for thousands of visitors. Please see the official Web site (http://www.circuit- zolder.be/) for more information. ============================================== DARLINGTON RACEWAY (DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA) This 1.366-mile (2.186-kilometer) egg-shaped oval superspeedway, also known as 'The Track Too Tough to Tame,' has banking of 25 degrees in one corner and 23 degrees in the other corner. NASCAR records at Darlington Raceway: - Winston Cup (500-mile race): D. Earnhardt at 139.958MPH (223.933KPH, set March 28, 1993) - Winston Cup (400-mile race): D. Pearson at 132.703MPH (212.325KPH, set May 11, 1968) - Busch Series: M. Waltrip at 138.140MPH (221.024KPH, set November 5, 1992) - Craftsman Trucks: B. Hamilton at 105.461MPH (168.738KPH, set May 12, 2001) Circuit history from the official Web site: In the fall of 1949, when a crisp breeze toyed with the loose soil of an old cotton field on the westside of rural Darlington, SC, Harold Brasington saw more than just dirt dancing around that patch of land. He saw the future. He saw stock cars. Brasington, a local businessman, had a lofty vision that most of his peers dismissed as utterly ridiculous. His friends laughed at him when returned home from the 1933 Indianapolis 500 and mentioned the idea of little ol' Darlington having a paved superspeedway, a place to hold big-time stock car events. They nearly committed him when he told them that he was going to build it. Nevertheless, believing that Bill France's fledgling NASCAR just might catch on, Brasington set out in the fall of 1949 to shape a 1-1/4 mile speedway on land that had once produced peanuts and cotton. To the chagrin of family and friends, Brasington and his crew toiled for a year, Brasington himself often at the controls of bulldozers and grading equipment. Brasington's plan called for a true oval, but the racetrack's design had to be changed in order to satisfy Mr. Ramsey, the landowner, who did not want his nearby minnow pond disturbed. The west end of the track (Turns 3 and 4) was narrowed to accommodate the fishing hole, creating Darlington's distinctive egg-shaped design. The first race was scheduled for Labor Day 1950, and when the day finally came the stands overflowed. Brasington expected no more than 10,000 fans, but the crowd of over 25,000 shocked him. Fans practically stood on top of each other and they scaled the fence just for a glimpse of the action. Californian Johnny Mantz drove to victory that day in the first Southern 500, which took over 6 hours to complete but set a precedent for a sport that would grow to be one of the largest spectator sports in the country. Mantz started dead last in the field of 75 racers, many of whom had never raced on asphalt, but roared to the checkered flag averaging a blistering 76 mph. Over the next fifty years, names like Baker, Flock, Thomas, Pearson, Yarborough, Petty, and Earnhardt became commonplace in Victory Lane. Fifty years later the Darlington Raceway is known as the track 'Too Tough to Tame.' It is still remembered as the original superspeedway and as one of the pillars of the NASCAR establishment. There is no other sporting facility in the world more steeped in history and tradition than Darlington Raceway, which has aged gracefully over the years but retained its feisty charm. Still, nobody loves the feisty track more than the drivers. 'You never forget your first love,' says seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt, 'whether it's a high school sweetheart, a faithful old hunting dog, or a fickle race track in South Carolina with a contrary disposition. 'And, if you happen to be a race car driver there's no victory so sweet, so memorable, as whipping Darlington Raceway.' Thanks to that charm, which has drawn fans back to the egg-shaped oval year after year, the Darlington Raceway celebrated its golden anniversary last year with the 50th running of the Pepsi Southern 500. The annual event, which welcomes people from across the country, is to NASCAR what The Masters is to golf, what the Super Bowl is to football and what the World Series is to baseball. It's a battle in which drivers can spin out and become a part of the wall as quickly as they can thunder to Victory Lane and become a legend. The Darlington Raceway of the 21st century is an ultra-modern facility that remains true to Harold Brasington's ideas of what NASCAR racing should be about ­ fast, intense action for the fans and dedicated drivers loyal to the sport that America has come to crave. The man at the controls making sure Darlington keeps up with the riotous pace of NASCAR growth is Jim Hunter, a South Carolina native who returned to his roots in January 1993 to become President of Darlington Raceway. Hunter started his NASCAR career at Darlington when served as the track's PR Director in the 1960s. Since his return, the Raceway has been running at top speed. Major improvements have taken place, most notably the construction of two state-of-the-art grandstands. The Tyler Tower and the Pearson Tower, complete with modernized restrooms, food courts and souvenir stands, doubled the track's seating capacity. Tyler Tower lines the front stretch while Pearson Tower, named after legendary driver David Pearson of Spartanburg, SC, reaches through the clouds above turn four. Most recently, the frontstretch pit road was expanded to accommodate a full field of cars, and now no team has to pit on the backstretch. The track 'Too Tough to Tame' has come a long way since Harold Brasington graded the first turn. It continues to keep pace with the booming NASCAR world of the new century while standing as a monument to the drivers and loyal fans who sowed the seeds of stock car racing fifty years ago. And with its dedication to fans and its continuing physical enhancements, Darlington Raceway drives wide open toward the fulfillment of its ultimate goal‹to be the best facility in motorsports. See the official Web site (http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/) for more information. ============================================== DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY Daytona International Speedway hosts the SuperBowl of NASCAR: The Daytona 500, held annually at the start of the NASCAR season, on the 2.5-mile (4.0-kilometer) tri-oval with 31- degree banking set around the rectangular Lake Lloyd. In the week prior to the Daytona 500, the speedway adds the use of its infield road course for the world famous Rolex24 at Daytona endurance race, the first endurance race of the year. Motorcycle and kart events are also held at Daytona International Speedway. Circuit history (from the official Web site): Daytona International Speedway is the home of 'The World's Greatest Race' -- the Daytona 500. Annually, the Daytona 500 attracts the largest audience in motorsports. Although the Daytona 500 garners most of the attention, the enormous 480-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe -- earning it the title of 'World Center of Racing.' In addition to 10 major weekends of racing activity, featuring everything from 190 mph NASCAR Winston Cup stock cars to 170 mph AMA Superbikes to 125 mph WKA go-karts, the Speedway is booked for more than two solid months each year for testing and development of various race vehicles. Motorized meandering aside, rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, athletic games, photo 'shoots,' production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. 'The Speedway is a venue that is known throughout the world as a top-line race track -- a place where everyone in motorsports wants to claim a victory,' said Speedway President John Graham. 'However, we're also committed to being versatile enough and responsive enough to provide a site where community activities can successfully be held.' DAYTONA USA, which opened July 5 1996, has transformed Daytona International Speedway into a destination for tourists looking to acquaint themselves with the history of motorsports activity in the Daytona Beach area. This is a legacy that includes world land speed record attempts, stock car and motorcycle racing on the sands of Daytona Beach along with a complete range of motorized activity at the Speedway, which opened in 1959. DAYTONA USA, 'The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction,' is a highly-interactive multi-million-dollar entertainment facility designed to broaden the entertainment and educational experience for visitors of all ages -- whether or not they are racing fans -- and strengthen Daytona's status as a destination. DAYTONA USA is open daily except for Christmas Day. In addition to the attraction, guests may experience the 30 minute Western Auto's Parts America Speedway Tour or visit the Sega Speedway video entertainment center, Pit Shop souvenir and gift shop, Fourth Turn Grill and the Daytona Beach Area Welcome Center. Daytona is indeed the site of a diverse mix of activities. Go-karts, which look deceptively similar to the machines that can be driven by families on holiday, circle Daytona's vast expanse at speeds averaging more than 100 mph, competing for five days in December. Scott Pruett, a top IndyCar driver, was a multiple winner in karts at Daytona before he graduated to full-size race cars. After a jam-packed month of race car testing in January, no less than 16 days of on-track activity mark Speedweeks, a varied festival of competition. Its diversity includes sports car drivers from more than 20 foreign countries in IMSA's Rolex 24 At Daytona and stock car drivers competing in five different series. This amazing variety is only table-dressing for the medley of personalities and machines that invade Daytona for Daytona 200 Week in March. Each year, racers and fans from around the world converge on the Speedway for the best in road racing, supercross and dirt track competition. A diverse group of events are held through the balance of the year, including two other major professional weekends, as well as Sports Car Club of America amateur sports car races; antique and classic car shows held in the spring and fall by the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District; the Police Motorcycle Skills Championship; various charity and community athletic events such as walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons and dinners; receptions; and picnics. NASCAR records at Daytona International Speedway: - Winston Cup (500-mile race): B. Baker at 177.602MPH (284.163KPH, set February 17, 1980) - Winston Cup (400-mile race): B. Allison at 173.473MPH (277.557KPH, set July 4, 1980) - Busch Series: G. Bodine at 157.137MPH (251.419KPH, set February 19, 1985) - Craftsman Trucks: M. Wallace at 130.152MPH (208.243KPH, set February 18, 2000) See the official Web site (http://www.daytonaintlspeedway.com/) for more information. ============================================== DENVER (DENVER, COLORADO, USA; TEMPORARY STREET CIRCUIT) 2002 was the inaugural year of the Grand Prix of Denver for the CART series. The 1,65-mile (2.64-kilometer) circuit itself is a temporary street circuit in downtown Denver surrounding the Pepsi Center and adjacent to the Busch Gardens amusement park. Bruno Junqueira won from Pole Position, leading every lap of the race. The race weekend also included the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series and the Trans-Am Series. See the official Web site (http://www.grandprixofdenver.com/) for more information. ============================================== DONINGTON PARK (CASTLE DONINGTON, DERBY, UNITED KINGDOM) The Donington Park venue holds two circuits: the National Circuit and the International Circuit (the latter includes the parallel straightaways behind the Paddock Area). Donington Park is billed as a great place for car testing and launches, and also has days where the average drivers can take their cars and motorcycles to the tracks. The Honda Ron Haslam Race School also used Honda Hornets, CBR600 and CBR900RR Fireblades to train people of all ages and abilities on motorcycles. There is also the public Donington Grand Prix Collection museum, which contains more than 150 grand prix cars from the 1930s to the present. Race events include: Historic Sports Car Club Championships, British Formula 3 and British GT Championships, German Touring Car Masters, Donington Vintage and Historic Car Weekend, Cinzano British Motorcycle Grand Prix, Ford Racing Festival, Mini Racing Festival, MCN British Superbike Championship, BRSCC Car Championship, and British Truck Racing Championship. The official Web site (http://www.donington-park.co.uk/) unfortunately does not include any historical information. This information on the 1993 F1 race at Donington Park is provided by ViperMask, one of the biggest F1 fans I have ever met. It is edited only for formatting purposes. You forgot about one of the GREATEST drives in Formula 1 history. In 1993 the weather was absoulutely MISERABLE. Ayrton Senna qualified 4th in a uncompetitive McLaren Ford with a 1 year old Ford engine. When the race started, he dropped to 5th place but he was able to over take Michael Schumacher in the Benetton, Karl Wendlinger in the Sauber, Damon Hill in the Williams, and FINALLY Alain Prost in the Williams ALL IN THE FIRST LAP IN THE RAIN. Also, during the post-race press conference, Prost said he had a bad set-up, and was blaming the car, so Senna said to him "So why don't you trade cars with me?" Which sparked a lot of laughs from everyone except Alain. The following URL has the first lap of Donington. http://www.geocities.com/downward_spiral_soldier/senna- donington-1993.zip ============================================== DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY (DOVER, DELAWARE, USA) The 140,000-seat Dover International Speedway, also known as 'The Monster Mile,' is perhaps best known for its association with NASCAR events: Winston Cup, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and Busch North Series. This is a 1.0-mile (1.6-kilometer) oval with 24-degree banking in the corners. NASCAR speed records - Winston Cup: Mark Martin at 132.719MPH (212.350KPH, set November 21, 1997) - Busch Series: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., at 130.512MPH (208.819KPH, set May 30, 1998) See the official Web site (http://www.doverspeedway.com/) for more information. There is unfortunately no historical information on this Web site. ============================================== EASTERN CREEK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (BLACKTOWN DELIVERY CENTRE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA) This 3.93-kilometer (2.456-mile) circuit hosts V8 Supercars, many Formula series, a number of sports cars and sports sedans series, touring cars, production cars, and numerous national and support motorcycle series. The pit straight even incorporates a drag strip, and the circuit permits the average driver to enter cars and motorbikes for drag racing events (so long as the vehicle is road-registered). See the official Web site (http://www.eastern-creek- raceway.com/) for more information. This Web site unfortunately does not include historical information. ============================================== FUJI (JAPAN) This Japanese circuit is perhaps most notable to North American classic video game enthusiasts from its appearance in Atari's Pole Position series in the stand-up arcades of the 1980s. There are a few of these classic Pole Position and Pole Position II arcade boxes still in existence, although the best bet for finding these games now is on the various gaming consoles. However, those who prefer the version of the circuit in the Pole Position series will be rather disappointed at the chicanes added along the faster sections of the Fuji circuit. See the official Web site (http://www.fujispeedway.co.jp/) for information. There is virtually NO information on the English-language portion of the site, and NO historical information. The majority of information on the site is available only in the Japanese-language section. ============================================== HIDDEN VALLEY RACEWAY (DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORIES, AUSTRALIA) Built in 1986, this 2.9-kilometer (1.6-mile) racing venue is somewhat unique in that it features a 1.1-kilometer (0.7- mile) straightaway. From the official Web site: The Northern Territory Government is committed to hosting a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series until the year 2007. The first event was conducted in 1988 and proved to be an outstanding success not only with the people of the Northern Territory but also with the competitors, major sponsors and other stakeholders of the national series. Network TEN has for the past three years, broadcast the event to a potential audience of millions of people throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia. In reality, it is watched by about 500 000 people. ... The Northern Territory Major Events Company prepares for, organises and manages the Territory's round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at the Northern Territory Motor Sport Council owned facility at Hidden Valley. The first Territory round of the Shell Championship Series was run at Hidden Valley Raceway on 17-19 July 1998. It was followed by a second on 4-6 June 1999, a third on 19 21 May 2000 and a fourth on 11-13 May 2001. The next Territory round has been confirmed for 17-19 May 2002. As an event, the Territory Round of the V8 Supercars has quickly elevated itself to premier status, not only on the Northern Territory's sporting calendar but also as a National motor sport event. The success of the Territoties Round is well recorded in unsolicited letters from southern officials, sponsors and in the media locally and nationally in the motorsports press. The event also draws Tourism value, National and International media exposure and promotes social and cultural significance for Territorians young and old. The Northern Territory public, the private sector and business generally are now seeing Hidden Valley's V8 Supercar event as being a valuable entertainment package and one that is worthy of their support and investment. ... The Territory round will remain secure and grow as a result of AVESCO, (Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company) are planning to take a round of the V8 Supercar 'Circus' into Asia or Brunei, and it is intended that Darwin would then become the point of the V8 teams departure. This would have added opportunities for promoting additional economic benefits for the Northern Territory economy. Please see the official Web site (http://www.nt.gov.au/hiddenvalley/) for more information. ============================================== HOCKENHEIM (GERMANY) The Hockenheim circuit was an EXCELLENT and very high-speed race venue until 2002, when the circuit was redesigned and severely shortened while accommodations were added to bring in even more spectators than before. The former Hockenheim configuration ran almost entirely through the German forest. The circuit was designed in 1932, and hosts F1 and many other forms of motorsport. Notable F1 winners at Hockenheim: Niki Lauda (1977), Mario Andretti (1978), (1981, 1986, and 1987), Alain Prost (1984, 1993), Ayrton Senna (1988-1990), Nigel Mansell (1991 and 1992), Michael Schumacher (1995, 2002), and Mika Hakkinen (1998). The official Web site (http://www.hockenheimring.de/) is unfortunately only available in German - which is a language I cannot read :-( ============================================== HUNGARORING (HUNGARY) Located 19.2 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of Budapest, the 3.946-kilometer (2.466-mile) Hungaroring circuit has been used for F1 racing since 1986, and represented the first foray of F1 racing into the Eastern Block (during the Cold War era). F1 winners at Hungaroring include Nelson Piquet (1986 and 1987), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1991, and 1992), Nigel Mansell (1989), Thierry Boutsen (1990), Damon Hill (1993 and 1995), Michael Schumacher (1994, 1998, and 2001), Jacques Villeneuve (1996 and 1997), Mika Hakkinen (1999 and 2000), and Reubens Barrichello (2002). The official Web site (http://www.hungaroring.hu/) unfortunately does not include a circuit history. ============================================== INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (F1; INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA) Essentially a 'stadium circuit' located at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit is one of the newest race venues in F1, first used in its current incarnation in 2000. This also marks the return of F1 racing to the United States, which had been absent since 1991 (then using a temporary street circuit in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, USA). The initial 4.192-kilometer (2.620-mile) US Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher in 2000, followed by Mika Hakkinen (in his final race win before sabbatical/retirement) in 2001. Indianapolis Motor Speedway was purchased in 1945 by Tony Hulman (the namesake of Hulman Blvd., which connects Turn 7 and Turn 8 of the Grand Prix circuit) and restored to use after the speedway had fallen into disuse because of World War II. In 1950-1960, the Indianapolis 500 also awarded points for the F1 World Championship; winners in this era include Johnnie Parsons, Bill Vukovich, and Jim Rathmann. Tony George, the President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing F1 racing back to the United States. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had to be brought up to standard in order to host the United States Grand Prix, including a new Paddock area which would allow cars to exit from the garage directly onto Pit Lane. Also, in a MAJOR concession to the traditions of F1 racing, the 2000 USGP marked the very first time that a race had been run in REVERSE (clockwise) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 2001 Grand Prix of the United States was the first major auto racing event on American soil following the terrorist attacks on America just two weeks before. FIA and USGP organizers truly went out of their way to provide entertainment, soothing words, and patriotic moments for the thousands of spectators at a time when the nation and the world were still in shock, grief, and mourning at the terrorist events. While not nearly as controversial as the 2002 Grand Prix of Austria at A1-Ring, Reubens Barrichello won the 2002 Grand Prix of the United States by 0.010 seconds (the closest racce finish in F1 history) over his Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher despite Schumacher having dominated the entire weekend and the entire race until the final corner. Also notable was that Williams drivers Ralph Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya collided in Turn 1 in the early laps of the race, with Ralph Schumacher losing his rear wing and falling back to last place (eventually finishing P16), with Montoya continuing on to end P4. Winners of the Indianapolis 500 during its quasi-F1 era (1950-1960): Johnnie Parsons (1950), Lee Wallard (1951), Troy Ruttman (1952), Bill Vukovich (81953 and 1954), Bob Sweikert (1955), Pat Flaherty (1956), Sam Hanks (1957), Jimmy Bryan (1958), Rodger Ward (1959), and Jim Rathmann (1960). Winners of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis in the modern era: Michael Schumacher (2000), Mika Hakkinen (2001), and Reubens Barrichello (2002). Visit the official Web site (http://www.usgpindy.com/). ============================================== INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (NON-F1; INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA) The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a long and highly-storied history known by diehard auto racing fans worldwide. Its flagship event is the Indianapolis 500, held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, with lead-up events and qualifying taking place during the entire month of May. 1994 saw the addition of a second annual race, NASCAR's Brickyard 400. F1 competition returned to the States in 2000 with the United States Grand Prix, using part of the Indy 500/Brickyard 400 'oval' and a newly-created infield section; the addition of F1 competition required some serious upgrades to the entire facility, including team garages opening directly onto Pit Lane. Circuit history from the official Web site: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built on 328 acres of farmland five miles northwest of Indiana's capital city in the spring of 1909. Financed by four local businessmen, Carl Fisher, James Allison, Frank Wheeler and Arthur Newby, it was planned as a year-round testing facility for the fast-growing automobile industry in Indiana. Occasional race meets would be presented at the track, featuring those very same manufacturers racing their products against each other. Spectators, it was reasoned, would be sufficiently impressed as to want to head downtown quickly to the showrooms for a closer look at one of these new-fangled contraptions. Four turns, each banked at nine degrees and 12 minutes and measuring exactly 440 yards from entrance to exit, were linked together by a pair of long straights and, at the north and south ends of the property, by a pair of short straights to form a rectangular-shaped 2 1/2 mile track as dictated by the confines of the available land. With the original surface of crushed rock and tar proving to be disastrous at the opening motorcycle and automobile racing events in August of 1909, 3,200,000 paving bricks were imported by rail from the western part of the state in the fall, laid on their sides in a bed of sand and fixed with mortar, this inspiring the nickname 'The Brickyard'. Poor attendance at a trio of three-day meets on the revamped surface in 1910 caused the owners to rethink their plans and focus instead on a single event for 1911. They envisioned it as an event of gigantic proportions offering a huge purse. On May 30 - Memorial Day - a grueling 500-Mile race paying $14,250 to win took place, enjoying instant success and attracting universal recognitionŠand making history as the inaugural Indianapolis 500. With the exception of an additional program of racing on a single day in September 1916, no race other than the Indianapolis 500 was to be held at the Speedway until a tremendously successful NASCAR stock car event, the Brickyard 400, debuted in 1994. The 500 was suspended during America's involvement in the two world wars, 1917 1918 and 1942-1945, but held in all other years. Asphalt was first applied to the rougher portions of the track in 1936, and by 1941 all but the greater part of the mainstraight had become blacktop. The remainder of the bricks were finally covered over in the fall of 1961. Most of the original paving bricks are still in place underneath the modern asphalt surface, with only the famous 'yard of bricks' still exposed at the start/finish line as a nostalgic reminder of the past. The track has changed ownership only twice. With Carl Fisher heavily involved in the development of Miami Beach and Jim Allison's nearby engineering company growing rapidly, the foursome sold IMS in 1927 to a group headed up by WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker had actually driven in several 500s before he ever knew how to fly. One of Rickenbacker's first actions was to install an 18-hole golf course on the grounds in 1929, now known as Brickyard Crossing and home of a Senior PGA Tour golf tournament, the Brickyard Crossing Championship, in September. Allowed to fall into a terrible state of disrepair as a result of four years of neglect during WWII, the Speedway was purchased in 1945 by Terre Haute, Indiana, businessman Anton 'Tony' Hulman, Jr. He immediately embarked on a phenomenal rejuvenation program that began the transformation of the facility into what it is today. Hulman passed away in October 1977, but to this day members of his family perpetuate the traditions of the Speedway - now encompassing 559 acres - while continuing to transform it beyond the wildest imaginations of its founders. The Hulman-George family continues to own and operate the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Mari Hulman George serving as Chairman of the Board and Anton 'Tony' George serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. Please see the official Web site (http://ims.brickyard.com/) for more information. ============================================== INFINEON RACEWAY (CALIFORNIA, USA) Sears Point Raceway is now officially known as Infineon Raceway. This is the site of one of NASCAR's two road circuit events each year, providing a drastic change for the oval-dedicated stock car drivers. Circuit history from the official Web site: Since 1968, Infineon Raceway has provided the best in motorsports action. From the fender-rubbing action of NASCAR Winston Cup and ground pounding thunder of NHRA Drag Racing to the grassroots SCCA road races and AFM motorcycle events, Infineon Raceway has played host to many of racingšs greatest moments and stars. Racing legends such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Dan Gurney, Kenny Roberts, Dale Earnhardt, Shirley Muldowney and Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme, as well as modern day stars including Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Ron Hornaday Jr., Miguel DuHamel and John Force, have all left their indelible marks at this unique and historic facility. NASCAR Infineon Raceway is arguably the world's busiest racing facility, with track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year. It is one of the nation's only high performance automotive industrial parks. Under the ownership and vision of Speedway Motorsports Incorporated, Infineon Raceway is poised to reach new heights in facility development and in the quality of events it offers fans. What follows is a brief history of how Infineon Raceway came to be one of North America's most complete and versatile motorsports complex: In the Beginning Franklin Sears was born in Indiana in 1817. He spent his childhood in Missouri, and in 1844 ventured westward to Oregon. He left home with his friend, Granville Swift, a rifle, mule and $1.50 in his pocket. After one winter in Oregon, Sears was fed up with the rain and headed south. He volunteered for the U.S.-Mexican war and was named a hero of the Battle of San Pasquale. He spent much of the time in the thick of the battle and was a decorated solider during the war. Following the war in 1851, he married Granville Swift's sister, Margaret, and settled on 600 acres of land south of Sonoma. He built his home of hand-hewn redwood. He was a blacksmith by trade but a large source of his income came from ranching. Sears eventually partnered with Granville Swift and bought 15,000 acres of land that stretched from Infineon Raceway all the way to what is now Lakeville Highway. 1968 The 2.52-mile road racing course was constructed on 720 acres by Marin County owners Robert Marshall Jr., an attorney from Point Reyes, and land developer Jim Coleman of Kentfield. The two conceived of the idea of a race track while on a hunting trip. Ground was broken in August and paving of the race surface was completed in November. The first official event at Infineon Raceway was an SCCA Enduro, held on December 1, 1968. 1969 The track was sold to Filmways Corp., a Los Angeles-based entertainment company for $4.5 million. From 1969 through early 1970, Infineon Raceway hosted a variety of events, including USAC IndyCar races, NASCAR stock car races, SCCA races, and drag races. 1970 Dan Gurney won a 150-mile USAC IndyCar road race with a field that included Mario Andretti, Mark Donahue and Al Unser. Not long after, the track closed in May and became a tax shelter for Filmways after losses of $300,000 were reported. 1973 Hugh Harn of Belvedere and Parker Archer of Napa arranged to lease the track through Filmways vice president Lee Moselle for $1 million. Bob Bondurant, owner and operator of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, announced that he would move his school from Ontario Speedway in Southern California to Infineon Raceway. The Pacific Region of the Sports Club Car of America announced it would hold a driver's school and series of non spectator races at the track. 1974 Bob Bondurant and partner Bill Benck took over management and control of the leased raceway from Archer and Harn. American Motorcycle Association national motocross races in the hills north of Turn 7 become popular with Bay Area fans, but were phased out by the end of the decade because of rising insurance costs. 1977 AMAMoselle, a lawyer with no racing experience, comes aboard and hires Jack Williams, the 1964 NHRA top fuel drag racing champion, to be his operations chief, and Art Glattke to handle public relations. Moselle was under orders from Filmways to clear spectator restrictions with the county of Sonoma and to build a major-event schedule. A group calling itself Black Mountain Inc., which included Bob Bondurant, William J. Kolb of Del Mar and Howard Meister of Newport Beach, purchased the track from Filmways for a reported $1.5 million. Two months later, in May, Kenny Roberts did wheelies on the final two laps while he waved to a crowd of 20,000 for a runaway victory in the AMA-Sonoma Motorcycle Classic. 1980 The Black Mountain Group took on an additional partner -- the Long Beach Grand Prix Association -- in hopes of improving marketing and public relations. 1981 The Long Beach Grand Prix, headed by Chris Pook, decided to rename the track Golden State International Raceway. The Black Mountain group obtained an injunction to keep Filmways from claiming the property after defaulting on payments. Black Mountain claimed Filmways gave false financial projections when it sold the property in 1979. Bondurant resigned as president of Golden State Raceway in a dispute with Pook over the Long Beach Grand Prix's management plan. Filmways regained ownership of the track and Williams, Rick Betts and John Andersen purchased the track from Filmways at an auction for $800,000. The track was renamed Infineon Raceway International Raceway. 1983 Ford became a major sponsor at the track. Williams named Dr. Frank N. Scott Jr. of Aptos and Harvey 'Skip' Berg of Tiburon as partners. 1985 The track was completely repaved, in part with funds donated from the 'Pave the Point' fund raising campaign. It was also in 1985 that the first shop spaces (Buildings A,B,C, and D -- in the main paddock area) were built. 1986 Berg, president of a real estate acquisition and management firm headquartered in Seattle, took control of the track and became major stockholder in Brenda Raceway Corp., which controlled the track until 1996. Berg named Darwin Doll, vice president and general manager of Michigan International Speedway, new track president. 1987 NHRA Top FuelOne of the most significant moves in the track's history occurred. Infineon Raceway signed a five year contract with the National Hot Rod Association for the California Nationals. The first event was held in the summer of 1988. Additional buildings constructed on the property brought shop space to more than 700,000 square feet. 1988 Berg hired Glen Long, an IBM executive, to be the track's new president. Mike Yurick was named general manager. The NHRA nationals were a resounding success, with an estimated 32 ,000 spectators on hand to watch Joe Amato edge Dick LaHaie in victory by one hundreth of a second margin. 1989 The NASCAR Winston Cup Series debuted at the raceway, with Ricky Rudd taking the inaugural victory. Infineon Raceway arrived. 1991 The Skip Barber Racing School replaced the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The NASCAR Winston Cup race drew 70,000 spectators in its second year at the track. The 15-year association with International Motorsports Association (SportsCar) GTP series, was suspended. Steve Page, a marketing executive with the Oakland A's, succeeded Long as track president. 1994 More than $1 million was spent on a beautification project and construction of a 62-foot-high, four-sided electronic lap leader board in the center of the road course. A medical facility and an 18-nozzle Unocal gasoline filling station were constructed. 1995 A major $3 million renovation plan was kicked off that included posh tower VIP suites and a two-story driver's lounge/emergency medical facility. Trans-Am and SportsCar races returned to Infineon Raceway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is added to the major-events schedule. 1996 The Russell Racing School signs a 10-year contract with Infineon Raceway in February to headquarter its world renowned driving school in Sonoma. The Skip Barber Driving School moves to Laguna Seca. In May of 1996, the NASCAR Winston Cup race drew a record 102,000 spectators -- the largest single-day crowd for a Northern California sports event. Infineon Raceway owner Skip Berg sells the track to O. Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. in November of 1996. Speedway Motorsports also owns Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Texas Motor Speedways in addition to Infineon Raceway. 1997 Kragen signs a contract through the year 2001 to joint sponsor the annual NASCAR Winston Cup event. The event will be renamed the Save Mart/Kragen 350 for the 1998 season. 1998 Major renovations begin at Infineon Raceway with the creation of 'The Chute,' an 890-foot high-speed stretch that will be used for all NASCAR-sanctioned events. The stretch connects existing Turns 4 and 7 and is officially opened on May 5 by NASCAR star Jeff Gordon. The re-design of the road course shortens the circuit from 2.52 miles to 1.949 miles but increases the Winston Cup race from 74 to 112 laps, provding fans with more action. The Chute will be used for Winston Cup, Winston West, Southwest Series and Craftsman Truck Series events. In June, NASCAR marks its 10-year anniversary with Infineon Raceway and Vallejo native Gordon comes away for the victory in the Save Mart/Kragen 350 Winston Cup race. 1999 Jeff Gordon joins Rusty Wallace and Ernie Irvan as the only two-time winners at Infineon Raceway when the Vallejo native wins the Save Mart/Kragen 350 NASCAR Winston Cup race in June. The first-ever running of the American Le Mans Series takes place at Infineon Raceway in July as J.J. Lehto and Steve Soper guide BMW to the Prototype victory. This marks the return of exciting sports car racing to Infineon Raceway as a main event for the first time since 1997. The race is televised live by NBC. Progressive Insurance signs on as the title sponsor of the AMA Superbike event, which is won by Mat Mladin. The native of Australia would go on to capture his first-ever AMA Superbike championship. His only win of the year would come at Infineon Raceway. NHRA drag racing winners include Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Whit Bazemore (Funny Car) and Jim Yates (Pro Stock). 2000 Infineon Raceway gains unanimous approval from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors by a 5-0 vote to begin work on a $35 million Modernization Plan that will transform the facility into one of the premier motorsports venues in the country. The comprehensive project will take two years to complete and inlcudes 64,000 Hillside Terrace seats, repaving of both the road course and drag strip and increased run-off around the entire track. Jeff Gordon becomes the first three-time NASCAR Winston Cup winner at Infineon Raceway, taking the Save Mart/Kragen 350. In other racing news, Allan McNish sets the fastest lap ever recorded at Infineon Raceway since the raceway opened in 1968. McNish, piloting an Audi R8 during the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma, covers a single lap at 112.440 mph. Doug Kalitta joins Gordon as a three-peat winner, claiming his third consecutive Top Fuel title at the Fram Autolite Nationals NHRA event. 2001 The 2001 season kicked off with the completion of the first phase of Infineon Racewayšs $35 million Modernization Plan. The first phase of the project, which began in September, featured the completion of hillside terrace seats in Turns 2-4, a new entrance at Gate 7, the construction of two ring roads for shuttle and fan traffic, 40 permanent garages and increased run-off on the road course, among others. The 10-turn road course used for the NASCAR Dodge/Save Mart 350 featured a modified Chute lengthened by over 300 feet to include a straightaway between Turns 4 and 4a and the creation of a pure straightaway between Turns 4a and 7. Turn 7 boasts a 90-degree right-hand turn with 120 feet of runoff room for safety and creates a new passing zone on the track. The new Turn 7 proved crucial in the 2001 Dodge/Save Mart 350, with Tony Stewart making the race winning pass in this turn as Robby Gordon and Kevin Harvick battled for position. Stewart took the checkered flag after 112 laps, robbing Jeff Gordon of his fourth consecutive win at Infineon Raceway. The NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals offered more than just exciting racing action in 2001. After Kenny Bernstein, Del Worsham and Tom Martino claimed their titles, John Force and Gary Scelzi boarded Caterpillar bulldozers to begin destruction of the drag strip and signify the beginning the of second phase of the Modernization Plan. Phase Two of the plan focuses on fan and driver amenities, including more terraces seats, repaving of the drag strip and road course surfaces and the construction of a new permanent grandstand at the start/finish line of the road course. The Plan is scheduled to be completed for the 2002 season. 2002 The 2002 racing season was a time of major change at the Sonoma raceway. In June, track officials announced that the facility had been renamed Infineon Raceway as part of a 10-year strategic partnership with Infineon Technologies, one of the world's top semiconductor manufacturing companies. The agreement includes two annual events to be held at Infineon Raceway. The annual American Le Mans Series event will be renamed the Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma, and beginning in 2003, Infineon Raceway will host the Infineon Mountain Bike Challenge, a world class competitive biking event. Infineon Raceway became just the second motor racing facility in the country to secure a major naming rights deal. The 2002 racing season also saw the near-completion of the facility's two-year, $50 million Modernization Plan. This renovation touched nearly every area of the property and includes the addition of many fan and racer amenities. Changes to the facility include: a new permanent grandstand at start/finish of the road course; hillside terrace seating at Turns 7-9; a completely refurbished drag strip complete with 660-foot concrete launch pad; expanded paddock area; and the new Infineon Raceway Karting Center. Infineon Raceway also hosted its full-slate of annual events, including the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Winston Cup event and NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals, with the addition of the inaugural NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series event. The new drag strip surface proved fruitful at the NHRA event, with track records reset in three classes and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider, Angelle Savoie, posting the second quickest time in history. See the official Web site (http://infineonraceway.com/) for more information. ============================================== LAGUNA SECA (MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, USA) Located in Monterey, California, USA, Laguna Seca Raceway hosts many events every year, including the Grand Prix of Monterey featuring the Shell 300 (part of the CART/FedEx Championship Series), U.S. Sports Car Invitational, the International Superbike Classic (SBK/AMA Superbike Series), Rolex Monterey Historic Races, and Monterey Sports Car Championships (the American Le Mans Series). Laguna Seca is the home circuit of Mazda, and is also used by Skip Barber Racing School, Freddie Spencer M/C School, Sea Otter Class Bicycle Races, California Superbike School, TracQuest Driving School, and the S.C.C.A. Regional Races. The most notable feature of Laguna Seca Raceway is the world- famous Corkscrew. A features circuit in many racing games (such as Sports Car GT and both Gran Turismo 2 and Gram Turismo 3). The trick to successfully navigating the Corkscrew is to begin braking BEFORE the crest of the circuit, which is located just before the entry of the Corkscrew itself. See the official Web site (http://www.laguna-seca.com/) for more information. ============================================== LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA) Las Vegas Motor Speedway sports a superspeedway, 'bullring,' drag strip, and dirt track. Amongst these four venues, more than four hundred different racing events were held on LVMS property in 2002. Circuit history from the official Web site: # Sept. 15, 1996-Inaugural Indy Racing League Las Vegas 500k, won by Richie Hearn. # Nov. 3, 1996-NASCAR Craftsman Truck Carquest 420k, won by Jack Sprague. # March 16, 1997-NASCAR Busch Grand National 300, won by Jeff Green. Oct. 11, 1997-Las Vegas 500k Indy Racing League, won by Eliseo Salazar. # Nov. 9, 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Carquest 420k, won by Joe Ruttman. # Feb. 28, 1998-NASCAR Busch series Sam's Town 300, won by Jimmy Spencer. # March 1, 1998-Inaugural Las Vegas 400 NASCAR Winston Cup, won by Mark Martin. # Oct. 11, 1998-Pep Boys Indy Racing League Las Vegas 500k, won by Arie Luyendyk. # Nov. 8, 1998-NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sam's Town 250, won by Jack Sprague. # March 6, 1999-NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300, won by Mark Martin. # March 7, 1999-NASCAR Winston Cup Las Vegas 400, won by Jeff Burton. # September 24, 1999-Nascar Craftsman Truck Series Orleans 250, won by Greg Biffle # September 25, 1999-Nascar Winston West Gold Coast 150, won by Kevin Richards # September 26, 1999-Pep Boys Indy Racing League Vegas.com., won by Sam Schmidt # March 5, 2000-NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300, won by Jeff Burton # March 6, 2000-NASCAR Winston Cup Series Carsdirect.com 400, won by Jeff Burton # April 7, 2000-Inaugural NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals, winners were Kenny Bernstein (TF), Jim Epler (FC), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (PS), Bob Panella (PST), Angelle Seeling (PSB) # April 21, 2000-NASCAR Winston West, Orleans 150, won by David Starr # April 21, 2000-IRL Vegas Indy 300, won by Al Unser Jr. # March 1, 2001-NASCAR Winston West NAPA 300, won by Mark Reed # March 3, 2001-NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300, won by Todd Bodine # March 4, 2001-NASCAR Winston Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Jeff Gordon # April 8, 2001-NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals, won by Kenny Bernstein (TF), Tommy Johnson Jr. (FC), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (PS), Bob Panella (PST) # Oct. 14, 2001, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Orleans 350, won by Ted Musgrave # Oct. 28, 2001, Inaugural NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, won by Darrell Russell (TF), Ron Capps (FC), Mark Pawuk (PS) and Shaun Gann (Bikes) # March 2, 2002, NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300, won by Jeff Burton. # March 3, 2002, NASCAR Winston Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, won by Sterling Marlin # April 7,2002, NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals, won by Larry Dixon (TF), Gary Densham (FC) and Ron Krisher (PS). See the official Web site (http://www.lvms.com/) for more information. ============================================== LE MANS (LE MANS, FRANCE) Dating back to 1923, The 24 Hours of Le Mans (Les 24 Heures du Mans) is one of the classics of auto racing. In terms of endurance racing, this is THE race to win to turn a driver's, team's, or manufacturer's name into a household name at domiciles worldwide. Part of the circuit uses the Bugatti circuit, while the rest is run on public roads. The 24 Hours Legend (from http://lemans24hb.free.fr/): All begins on May 26, 1923. By an execrable weather, but with 16 car manufacturer on the starting grid; manufacturer which engage for three years since the difficult challenge, rewarded by the cut Rudge and Whitworth, will be allotted only to the evening of the edition 1925.... First steps of this ' historical ' race, the history retained the 100% french victory of Lagache and Léonard, with a Chenard and Walcker of 3 liters cubic capacity (entirely of series; it was the first criterion of participation required), with the average of 92 km/h. The English sportsmen, completely allured by the formula of competition which then leaves the free field with the gentleman-drivers, will react as of the following year, with Duff and Clement, on Bentley. Lorraine (in 1925 and 1926) will certainly take a shingling revenge, before Bentley does not display its superiority until 1930, Woolf Bamato won three victories for its the first three participations. Then, Italian industry with Alfa Romeo will get going to give a righter counterpart to this Anglo-Saxon domination and during four years (1931 - 32 - 33 and 34). The greatest pilots have now rendez vous each year, in Le Mans. And their competitions delight the spectator... as in 1933, when incomparable Nuvolari surprises Chinetti's Alfa-Romeo, in the final lap, in the Arnage turn, for finally triumphing with a gap of 401 meters. With Jean-Pierre Wimille, France has to join again with success and Bugatti will register two successes 1937 - 39, pulverizing the record at the distance, very close to the average of 140 km/h. The war of 1939 - 1945 will stop the effort of this brilliant French industry, which in addition of Bugatti can count on Delahaye (victory into 38), Delage or Talbot. June 25, 1949 marks for the race a new start : the start was given by the president Vincent Auriol and within a renovated framework (24 Hour old village, grandstands, stands and... track), the name of Ferrari will enter officially the history of the competition. The author of this victory is Luigi Chinetti, still him, which sign its third success there by leaving the wheel only one small hour with its team mate, the english lord Selsdon. Louis Rosier will do however better the following year, authorizing his son only two small turns with the Talbot victorious. From 1951, the large car manufacurer will investing, on the Le Mans notoriety, with increasing budgets and with the best drivers. The names of Jaguar (1951 and 1953), Mercedes (1952), and again Ferrari (1954) will fit little by little in the imaginary popular one, thanks to the 24 Hours impact. One follows the race to the radio, one is caught for Fangio and one cries with the listening of the drama of 1955. In any case, never the public will not have been also numerous with the traditional rendez vous of June ! And numbers British then discover the Old continent by beginning their holidays in Mans and with the triumphs of Jaguar (55 - 56 and 57) and Aston-Martin (59). But the Ferrari period is arrived. In particular with Gonzales and Trintignant, in 1954. However, Commendatore wants more and better; i.e. to impose to the world the quality of the sports cars which leave Maranello. From 1960 to 1965, the 'pulled up horse' will reign as a master on the Le Mans track, as well with the classification scratch as in the GT category or with the index of performance. Olivier Gendebien and Phill Hill will thus pass the threshold of the posterity, and with them all these young drivers noticed by Enzo Ferrari and very honoured to have reached the scuderia : Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez were these. Whereas Ferrari accumulates the victories, a man decided to succeed to him the 24 Hours prize list. Since 1964, Henry Ford swore himself to gain the match Europe-America, intended definitively to open the large world export market. The commercial and sporting stake is so important than Ford does not even consider the possibility of a failure. In 1966, Ford with McLaren-Amon and Miles-Hulme finish on the same line... in fact the A.C.O. will slice... in favour of the first because they make a best times during qualifications. The following year, Gurney-and Foyt won, with an average of 218 km/h, 'the battle of the century'. P. Rodriguez and L.Bianchi will repeat the following year, before Ickx and Oliver ' do not sanctify forever ' Ford GT 40 with a gap of a few tens meters in front of Porsche of Hermann Larrousse. Porsche then has announced one new era. Notably with the fabulous and still unmatched record of Marko and Van Lennep, established in 1971, with an averge of 222 km/h and a distance of 5.335 km with the mythical Porsche 917. The modern era, it is Matra which will inaugurate it , with a triptych (72-73-74) to which Pescarolo will be nicely associated. Era where French successes (Renault in 1978, Rondeau in 1980, Peugeot in 1992 and 1993) will be made rather rare if one wants to take well into account crushing it domination of Porsche (10 victories in 20 years) and a hierarchy unceasingly hustled since 1986... Jaguar (1988 and 1990), Mercedes (1989) and especially Mazda (1991) will touch the reward of their fidelity before Bernie Ecclestone does not decide, one fine day, that the endurance definitely made the too beautiful share with imagination. The A.C.O. failed to lose until its heart, but it seems today that spring, again, flowers over the 24 Hours of Mans. McLaren, first hatched flower of a new GT category, suggests in any case that the ' 24 Hours ' remain, initially and above all, an imposing festival of the car. See the official Web site (http://www.lemans.org/) of Les 24 Heures du Mans. Visit http://24h-le-mans.maxximum.org/ for the results of all Le Mans races since its inception. See http://lemans24hb.free.fr/ for an EXCELLENT historical overview of Les 24 Heures du Mans, maps for ALL circuits used in the history of Les 24 Heures du Mans, and download features (including video of the 1999 Mercedes CLR suddenly going airborne and a full lap from the pace car). ============================================== LIME ROCK PARK (LAKEVILLE, CONNECTICUT, USA) At 1.53 miles (2.45 kilometers) in length, this circuit hosts the Skip Barber Racing School, permits licenses motorcycle riders to test (although the circuit does not host motorcycle races), Trans-Am, World Challenge, NASCAR Busch North Series, SCCA Regional and National races, North Atlantic Road Racing Championships for the N.Y. Region, Barber Dodge Pro Series, Karting, and Endurance Karting. See the official Web site (http://www.limerock.com/) for more information. There is unfortunately no historical information available on this Web site. ============================================== LONG BEACH (LONG BEACH, CA, USA) This 1.968-mile (3.149-kilometer) temporary street circuit is a very popular venue on the CART tour. The race weekend also includes Pro/Celebrity Race, Chevron Challenge Toyota Atlantic race, and Johnson Controls 100 Trans-Am race. See the official Web site (http://www.longbeachgp.com/) for more information. There is unfortunately no circuit history information available at this site. ============================================== LOWE'S MOTOR SPEEDWAY (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA) Named 'Charlotte' in Pro Race Driver, this is really now known as Lowe's Motor Speedway. The complex sports both a superspeedway (which is highly famous amongst NASCAR fans) and a dirt track (which is highly famous amongst World of Outlaws fans). Here is the circuit history from the official Web site: Lowe's Motor Speedway was designed and built in 1959 b current chairman O. Bruton Smith. The late Curtis Turner, one of stock car racing's earliest driving stars, was Smith's business partner. At the time Smith, a native of Oakboro, N.C., was an automobile dealer and short-track stock car racing promoter at Concord Motor Speedway and the Charlotte Fairgrounds. Turner, a Virginian who amassed his money in the lumber industry, became one of the first drivers on the NASCAR circuit after the sanctioning body debuted in 1949. Together, they built their dream of a 1.5-mile superspeedway on the outskirts of The Queen City and, on June 19, 1960, the first World 600 was run at the new facility. In 1961, like many superspeedways of the era, the track fell into Chapter 11 reorganization from which it eventually emerged despite lagging ticket sales. After his departure from the speedway in 1962, Smith pursued other business interests in Texas and Illinois. Working within Ford Motor Company's dealership program, Smith became quite successful and began purchasing shares of stock in Lowe's Motor Speedway. By 1975 Smith had again become the majority stockholder in the speedway, regaining control of its day-to-day operations. He hired current President H.A. 'Humpy' Wheeler as general manager and the two began to implement plans for needed improvements and expansion. During the ensuing 25 years, Smith and Wheeler demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction, building a facility that continuously established new industry standards. Thousands of grandstand seats and luxury suites were built. Food concessions and restroom facilities were added and modernized to increase the comfort of race fans. Smith Tower, a 135,000-square-foot, seven-story facility connected to the speedway's grandstands, was erected and opened in 1988. The building houses the speedway's corporate offices, ticket office, souvenir gift shop, leased office space and The Speedway Club, an exclusive dining and entertainment facility. Under the watchful eye of Smith and direction of Wheeler, in 1984 Lowe's Motor Speedway became the only sports facility in America to offer year-round living accommodations when it built 40 condominiums high above turn one. Twelve additional condominium units were added in 1991. Another innovation implemented by Smith and Wheeler was a $1.7 million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system developed by MUSCO Lighting of Oskaloosa, Iowa. The revolutionary lighting process uses mirrors to simulate daylight without glare, shadows or obtrusive light poles. The lighting system was installed in 1992, allowing Lowe's Motor Speedway to be the first superspeedway to host night auto racing. Ever cognizant of the competitors as well as the spectators, Smith and Wheeler added a new $1 million, 20,000-square-foot Winston Cup garage area in 1994. Other additions and improvements include the development of the speedway's 2,000-plus acres. In addition to the speedway, the property, some of which is leased, includes an industrial park that serves as home to several motorsports-related businesses, a modern landfill facility operated by BFI and a natural wildlife habitat. In addition to the 1.5-mile quad oval, the Lowe's Motor Speedway complex includes a 2.25-mile road course and a six-tenths-mile karting layout in the speedway's infield; a quarter-mile asphalt oval utilizing part of the speedway's frontstretch and pit road; and a one-fifth-mile oval located outside turn three of the superspeedway. Three NASCAR Winston Cup events, two NASCAR Busch Series races, a pair of Automobile Racing Club of America events and a Goody's Dash Series race are among the events held each year on the 1.5-mile superspeedway. The FasTrack Driving School and the Richard Petty Driving Experience also use the track extensively throughout the year. Other events on the various tracks include a weekly, nationally televised short track series for Legends Cars; Sports Car Club of America national and regional competitions; American Motorcycle Association events; and World Karting Association regional, national and international races. In May 2000, a state-of-the-art four-tenths-mile clay oval-The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway-was complete across Highway 29 from the speedway. The stadium-style facility has nearly 15,000 seats and plays host to the Pennzoil World of Outlaws sprint cars, dirt late model stock cars, the AMA Grand National motorcycles, the Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series and Monster Trucks. Lowe's Motor Speedway also annually presents two of the nation's largest car shows and swap meets-the Food Lion AutoFairs in April and September-and rents the facility more than 300 days per year. Corporations such as IBM, UNOCAL, Miller Brewing, Coca-Cola, Duracell, Wendy's and Lipton Tea have rented the speedway to film television commercials or to entertain employees and clients with food, music and race car rides. Motion pictures such as 'Days of Thunder,' 'Speedway' and 'Stroker Ace' and even music videos like Tracy Lawrence's 'If the Good Die Young' have been filmed at the speedway. Adding to rental dates are race team testing and automobile manufacturer research. Smith and Wheeler will quickly point out they have yet to complete their vision, and they continue to improve and expand the facility. More than 10,000 stadium-style seats, 20 new executive suites and 40 special 32-seat boxes were built in turn four in 1995. In May 1997, the Diamond Tower Terrace grandstand was opened along the backstretch to accommodate an additional 26,000 race fans for The Winston and Coca Cola 600. In May 1998, an 11,000-seat expansion of the new Diamond Tower Terrace was completed, bringing the total seating capacity of Lowe's Motor Speedway to approximately 147,000. Then in May 1999, more than 10,000 new seats were completed in the Fourth Turn Terrace grandstand. A 10,860 seat expansion of the Ford grandstand on the frontstretch was completed in May 2000, bringing the speedway's total seating capacity to 167,000. These additions are all part of a long-term project calling for additional grandstand seating, infrastructure improvements, spectator amenities and the development of adjacent land for possible commercial real estate ventures. Building on the basic philosophy of keeping spectator and competitor comfort a high priority, Lowe's Motor Speedway continues to be a leading promoter and marketer of motorsports activities in the United States. See the official Web site (http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/) for more information. ============================================== MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE (LEXINGTON, OHIO, USA) Located near Mansfield, Ohio, USA, Mid-Ohio is a fun and challenging circuit. Race events and series at Mid-Ohio include Sprint Vintage Grand Prix, American Le Mans Series (ALMS), AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Honda Super Cycle Weekend, CART Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, and SCCA National Championship Valvoline Runoffs. The Mid-Ohio School is the circuit's racing/driving program with a fleet of Acura RSX Type S models and sporty Honda Civic EX Coupes (55 cars total). Track history (from the official Web site): Widely known as the most competitive road course in the United States, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a permanent road circuit set in the rolling hills of Lexington, Ohio. Just 60 miles north of Columbus, 75 miles south of Cleveland and a few miles southwest of Mansfield, the track is often referred to as the 'country club' of racetracks in deference to its lush green grass, beautiful trees and exceptional amenities. With two challenging track configurations ­ a 2.25-mile, 13-turn layout and a 2.4-mile, 15 turn alternative ­ the circuit has earned its reputation over a 40-year history of great racing among many of motorsport's legendary competitors. Built in 1962 by Les Griebling and several Mansfield-area businessmen as a location for weekend sports car racing, the aptly named Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was purchased in 1981 by the late Jim Trueman, founder of the Red Roof Inns economy lodging chain. Under his direction and in keeping with his vision for the facility, the track underwent major renovations, including the addition of permanent grandstand seats and spectator amphitheatre style seating, the construction of garages with spectator balconies, the erection of the five-story Goodyear Tower housing media and hospitality suites, the addition of underground tunnels, and a redesigned paddock area. Trueman's wife Barbara and daughter Michelle undertook management of the facility in 1986 and have maintained the tradition of offering spectators world-class racing in a first-class family environment. Under their guidance, the track improvements continued with the resurfacing and widening of the entire course, as well as the addition of world-class safety enhancements including tire, guardrail, sand and cement barriers, spectator and debris fencing, and gravel runoff areas. These changes have resulted in a faster, safer and more competitive racetrack for drivers and race fans. More recent improvements implemented in the Trueman tradition have included the expansion of the Honda Communications Building and construction of the new Goodyear Drive-Over Bridge in Turn One. To expand its use beyond motorsports entertainment, Mid Ohio Sports Car Course created The Mid-Ohio School in 1993. The school offers licensed drivers everything from defensive driving courses and high performance driving programs to a competition course and a coaching program for amateur and professional racers. In the fall of 1995, Michelle Trueman Gajoch was named president of the facility and now oversees all day-to-day operations of the circuit. Under her leadership, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has evolved into a showcase for motorsports entertainment and continues to receive high praise from media, drivers and spectators alike. The racetrack operates from April 1 through October 30 each year. During those months, it plays host to hundreds of school days, club events, competitor and manufacturer test sessions, and six spectator events. Included on the diverse calendar of spectator races are the AMA Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire, the SVRA Sprint Vintage Grand Prix and the famed CART FedEx Championship Series. The American Le Mans Series, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and SCCA National Championship Valvoline Runoffs have joined the track's impressive schedule in recent seasons. While the track is open only seven months of the year, parent company TrueSports, Inc. operates an administrative office year round in Dublin, Ohio. Marketing, sponsor relations, advertising, sales, promotions, public relations, graphic design and accounting efforts for Mid Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School are coordinated in-house through this office. Maintenance, registration, ticket sales, food service, hospitality and track rental are handled through offices located at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Visit the official Web site (http://www.midohio.com/) for more information. ============================================== MONTE CARLO (MONACO) Anthony Noghes presented the concept of an automobile racing event in the streets of Monte Carlo in the 1920s. With the support of Prince Louis II, it was realized that the natural lay of the land provided a natural location for a superb racetrack. The first Grand Prix of Monaco was help April 14, 1929, with sixteen competitors. Since then, only fourteen years did the Grand Prix of Monaco not take place. Many of the most famous F1 drivers have won the Grand Prix of Monaco: Juan Manuel Fangio in 1950 and 1957; Stirling Moss in 1956, 1960, and 1961; Graham Hill in 1963-1965, 1968 and 1969; Jackie Stewart in 1966, 1971, and 1973; Niki Lauda in 1975 and 1976; Alain Prost in 1984-1986 and 1988; Ayrton Senna in 1987 and 1989-1993; and Michael Schumacher in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001. Due to the narrowness of the circuit, the steep elevation changes, and the numerous tight corners, the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo is one of the most prestigious events an F1 driver can possibly win. See the official Web site (http://www.monaco.mc/monaco/gprix) for more information. ============================================== MOSPORT INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA) Located 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) east of Toronto, Mosport International Raceway comprises three circuits. The 2.5-mile (4.0-kilometer)road course is the best-known of the three circuits and is used in numerous racing games, including the popular PlayStation/PSOne game Sports Car GT. The 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) oval course is used almost weekly for Thunder Car, Challenger, Modified, and Late Model races. The 1.0- kilometer (0.625-mile) Kart Track was added Spring 1997. Road course history from the official Web site: Not much more than 40 years ago the piece of land that we know today as Mosport was a farm. At that time, standing on a hill, looking over the fields and groves of trees, who could have imagined that the best drivers and the fastest cars in the world would come to this pastoral place and race on what would be named as one the most challenging tracks in the world and provide the best excitement and entertainment that motor racing has to offer. But they did come: racing legends like Stirling Moss, Gilles Villeneuve, Bruce McLaren and even stock car king Richard Petty. No fewer than 16 Formula One World Driving Champions - men like Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti and Nick Lauda have raced here. Some 10 Indianapolis 500 winners including Rodger Ward, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears and Gordon Johncock have also raced at Mosport. There have been Formula One cars, Indy cars, Can-Am, stock cars, World Endurance, Formula 5000, Formula Atlantic and Super Vee. Add Formula Fords, GT cars of every description, Superbikes, karts, snowmobiles and off road machines. Throw in a couple of rock concerts, some air shows, and sky divers and one begins to wonder if there is anything that hasn't been seen at Mosport. Anyone standing on the hill in 1959 would not believe what has transpired over the last 40 years. Fortunately, there were some people who did believe in what could happen. They had a dream, a plan, and the combination of resources and expertise to make it happen. As early as 1958 the British Empire Motor Club (BEMC) formed a development committee to investigate the possibility of selecting and buying a piece of property for a road racing course. By mid summer of that year the founding committee, whose members consisted of Dick Byatt, George Hill, Chuck Stockey, Fred Hayes and Ray Liddle, had found a 450-acre tract north of Bowmanville. Recognizing the enormity of the project, the committee members realized that one club (BEMC) could not undertake the entire task and so a separate entity, called 'Mosport Limited' was born in the fall of 1958. The name Mosport (a contraction of Motor Sport) was coined and applied to the new business enterprise. At the start there were seven directors, each on in charge of a particular phase of the project. They were Alan Bunting (track design, site layout and general coordination); George Hill (public relations); Dick Byatt (trade relations and advertising); Harold Hunter (financial planning and fund raising); George Grant (structural architect); and Chuck Stockey (utilities and access roads). By 1960 development was moving forward, Alan Bunting's design featured fast, sweeping bends that rose and fell over the contours of the site. In order to accommodate the design, great chunks of earth would be gouged out of parts of the hills; in the one place the whole side of a hill was scraped away and leveled. In the summer of 1960 Stirling Moss paid a visit to Toronto, at which time he saw the plans for the track and the work that had been done so far. While he was generally enthusiastic about the layout of the course, he did recommend that the single radius carousel hairpin at the south end be changed to a 90-degree right followed by another right leading onto the back straight. Moss was convinced that this combination would be a much greater test of driving skill and provide a more interesting show for the spectators. The two turns, 5a and 5b have since become known as 'Moss Corner'. The development of Mosport did not come easily though. The construction suffered through fiscal restraints zoning logistics, heavy rainfalls causing washouts and a price tag that was double of what was to be expected ($500,000 instead of $250,000). In spite of everything, the necessary facilities were completed, the asphalt was laid down and the track was ready for racing by the end of May, 1961. Responsibility for the operation of the facility was given to Jim Clayton who, as General Manager, was Mosport's first and only full-time employee. This is what it was all about: 2.459 miles, measured at the centreline of it's 28-foot width, of twisting, undulating pavement that would challenge the best drivers in the world. Road course events include: BARC Grand Prix of Ontario, BEMC Spring Trophy Races, CASC Ontario Regional, Speed World Challenge GT, Speed World Challenge Touring, Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, Pro Spec Racer, Canadian Formula Ford, ChampCar Lights, Canada GT Challenge Cup, Canadian Formula 1200 Championship, CASCAR Super Series, Canada GT Challenge Cup, Champ Car Lights, Ontario Street Stock Challenge, Mosport Rally for Sport Bikes, Canada/USA Match Race Weekend, Formula USA Road Racing Series, Formula Mazda, Panoz GT Series, Canadian Formula Ford Championship, American Le Mans Series, VRRA Vintage Motorcycle Festival, SCCA National, and CRDA/CASC Regional Races. See the official Web site (http://www.mosport.com/) for more information. ============================================== NEVERS MAGNY-COURS (NEVERS, FRANCE) Characterized by its three parallel straightaways (which can be aurally difficult for drivers while on the middle straightaway), Nevers Magny-Cours has hosted F1 events since 1991. The 4.226-kilometer (2.641-mile) circuit is also used for Motorbikes Championship, FIA GT Championship, Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup, FIA Sportcar Championship, Formula Nissan, historical races, and various endurance races. F1 winners at Nevers Magny-Cours: Nigel Mansell (1991 and 1992), Alain Prost (1993), Michael Schumacher (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2002), Damon Hill (1996), Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1999), and David Coulthard (2000). Visit the official Web site (http://www.magnycours.com/) for more information. Unfortunately, the site does not include any circuit history in either the French- or English-language versions of the site. This information on the 1996 F1 race at Magny-Cours is provided by ViperMask, one of the biggest F1 fans I have ever met. It is edited only for formatting purposes. As for Magny-Cours, Heinz Harald Frentzen's win was a very special one. He made a BEAUTIFUL drive in the wet, in the Jordan Mugen-Honda. It was one of the races that made HHF into a superstar driver AND the Driver of the Year in 1999. ============================================== NURBURGRING (GERMANY) Originally 22.677 kilometers (14.173 miles) in length, the Nurburgring first opened in 1927 (following two years of construction) and is still going strong. The opening events featured motorcycles (June 18, 1927), with cars featured the following day. The 1939 German Grand Prix was the final race at Nurburgring for quite some time due to the beginning of World War II. The circuit itself was damaged in the closing months of the war, but racing returned to Nurburgring in 1947. However, there were no races at Nurburgring in 1948, as the circuit was being brought up to safety standards. Nurburgring began hosting F1 events in 1951. Estimates show that 400,000 spectators came to the track for the 1954 F1 race. In 1958, however, the F1 race saw the death of Peter Collins as his Ferrari went out of control. The 1968 world motorcycle championship at Nurburgring had a strange stoppage: a forest fire. The F1 Grand Prix later that year had nearly impossible visibility due to intense rain and fog. In 1970, the Northern Loop of the circuit was called into question after numerous accidents. Improvements were made for the following year, when 130,000 spectators witnessed Jackie Stewart winning the F1 Grand Prix. More improvements were demanded in 1974 (first by motorcyclists, then by F1 drivers). When Nikki Lauda was seriously injured in 1976, the Northern Loop was decommissioned as an F1 venue. A new, shorter circuit was then designed and built, opening in 1984 at 4.542 kilometers (2.839 miles) in length. Alan Prost won that year's European Grand Prix. In 1986, however, the F1 race moved to Hockenheim. 1995 saw the return of F1 to Nurburgring, and the historic race venue has produced excellent races ever since. Some of the notable F1 winners at Nurburgring: Alberto Ascari (1951 and 1952), Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-1956), Stirling Moss (1961), Jim Clark (1965), Jack Brabham (1966), Jackie Stewart (1968, 1971, and 1973), Alain Prost (1984), Michael Schumacher (1995, 2000, and 2001), Jacques Villeneuve (1996 and 1997), Mika Hakkinen (1998), and Rubens Barrichello (2002). See the official Web site (http://www.nuerburgring.de/) for plenty more details about the Nurburgring. ============================================== ORAN PARK RACEWAY (NARELLAN, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA) Oran Park contains two separate circuits which are joined for form the Grand Prix circuit of 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) which is used for V8 Supercar. From the official Web site: Oran Park is a motorsport facility steeped in history. The facility was established by the Singer Car Club 40 years ago. In its early days it would host one race per day. The circuit initially consisted only of the current south circuit, with the extended Grand Prix figure-8 layout not being incorporated into the track until the 1970s. Oran Park has played to host to a number unique and exciting events. It has hosted Australian Grand Prix, been the home of truck racing and was the home of the final round of the Australian Touring Car Championship for quite some time. Oran Park was instrumental in running Sports Sedans racing, that captivated Sydney motor racing fans in the 1970s (and still proves very popular today). Oran Park is a multi-faceted faclity, and includes a number of separate tracks and a driver training facility. Oran Park boasts the famous Grand Prix circuit, which is a challenging figure-8 layout, with a combination of fast sweepers and tight, technical corners. The Grand Prix Circuit is able to be split up and used concurrently as South and North Circuits. The South Cicuit incorporates the long straight, while the North Circuit incorporates the figure-8 section of the track and is a short and challenging track. Additionally, Oran Park has a Skid Pan for driver training, two dirt circuits for off road events, a motorcross track, and a popular go-kart circuit. See the official Web site (http://www.oranpark.com/) for more information. ============================================== OULTON PARK (CHESHIRE, ENGLAND) Located near Cheshire, England, this circuit hosts British Touring Car Championship, British Superbike Championship, and British GT Championship, along with numerous club series. Official circuit history from Octagon Motorsports: Oulton Park first established itself as the North West's premier motorsport venue in the 1950s. A decade later, it was hosting international meetings, and among the winners were household names such as Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill. The circuit has been extended over the years, and boasts the unique distinction of having three circuits in one. This allows Oulton Park to present a racing programme that includes something for just about every motorsport enthusiast. Unusually, it is also able to seat spectators within the perimeter of the circuit, providing unrivalled views of the action. See the official Web site of Octagon Motorsports (http://circuits.octagonmotorsports.com/) for more information on this and other Octagon Motorsports race venues in the United Kingdom. ============================================== PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT (COWES, PHILLIPS ISLAND, AUSTRALIA) In 1952, the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed with the vision of building the first international grand prix circuit in Australia. In December 1956, the circuit finally opened. Major events held at Phillip Island include Australian Superbike Championship, World Superbike Championship, V8 Supercar Championship Series, Konica V8 Supercars, and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. See the official Web site (http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/) for more information, including a highly-detailed circuit history. ============================================== RFK STADIUM (TEMPORARY PARKING LOT CIRCUIT; WASHINGTON, D.C., USA) Known primarily as an (American) football venue (although now vacated by the Washingtom Redskins) and a soccer (TRUE football) venue for D.C. United, 2002 saw innovation as the parking lot of RFK Stadium was turned into a temporary PARKING LOT circuit used by the American Le Mans Series and several support races. Stadium history (from the official Web site of the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission): Robert F. Kennedy has been pleasing crowds with its outstanding facilities since 1961. RFK has been the home turf for pro sports, college athletics, and high school games. Music fans have been thrilled by performances under the stars including: Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Elton John, and the Grateful Dead, just to name a few. Major religious groups have found the facility quite suitable for open air convocations. RFK has the seating capacity, the acoustics, the food service, and the support staff to make any outdoor event a spectacular success. There are 35 fast food stands strategically located throughout the Stadium that offer a variety of informal fare. The Sports Lounge provides air-conditioned comfort and TV screens for staying in touch with the action. Other spaces for gathering include the Blue Room and the Rose Room, and these may be reserved singularly or in combination for seated dinners of 250 or stand up receptions for as many as 500 guests. The experienced staff will be very helpful with all the little details that make an event special. Choose from among an interesting variety of menu and beverage selections that are sure to suit any and every taste. The versatility of RFK Stadium allows it to be used for any type of event. The field at the Stadium can be configured for three of the nation's most popular spectator sports - football, baseball, and soccer. Other events such as concerts and rugby can be accommodated as well. See the official Web site (http://www.dcsportscommission.com/) of the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission, which owns and operates RFK Stadium. ============================================== ROAD AMERICA (ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN, USA) Road America is one of the most famous race circuits in the States. The first race at Road America was held September 6, 1952 on the original 6.5-mile (10.4-kilometer) circuit. Events here include Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, AMA Supercycle Weekend, SCCA June Sprints, ALMS, CART, Cycle Jam!, and Elkhart Lake Fall Festival (vintage cars). See the official Web site (http://www.roadamerica.com/) for more information. Unfortunately, no race history page is available at this site. ============================================== ROAD ATLANTA MOTOR SPORTS CENTER (BRASELTON, GEORGIA, USA) With its triple configurations, Road Atlanta hosts numerous racing events, notably the Petit Le Mans. Other events include SCCA Regional and National competition, Historic Sportscar Racing Walter Mitty Challenge, Ferrari Challenge, AMA Superbike 'Big Kahuna' Nationals, WERA National, SCCA Double SARRC Regional, Historic Sportscar Racing Atlanta Historics. WERA Grand National Finals, and SCCA American Road Race of Champions National. The Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School and the Porsche Driving Experience also operate at Road Atlanta. Visit the official Web site (http://www.roadatlanta.com/) for more information. Unfortunately, no history section is available. ============================================== ROCKINGHAM MOTOR SPEEDWAY (UNITED KINGDOM) Rockingham Motor Speedway hosts an 'oval' circuit plus an infield road circuit (i.e., a 'stadium circuit'), allowing for many types of racing at this British facility. Events here include Ascar Oval Race Meeting, Classic Motorcycle Race Meeting, British Superbike Race Meeting, F3/GT, ASCAR Oval Race Meeting, CART Rockingham 500, Uniroyal Challenge with Formula Palmer Audi & VSR Club Race Meeting, and BRDC Winter Raceday. See the official Web site (http://www.rockingham.co.uk/) for more information. Unfortunately, a circuit history is not given on the official Web site. ============================================== SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (SEBRING, FLORIDA, USA) This 3.7-mile (5.92-kilometer) circuit is one of the most famous in the world for endurance racing, hosting the 12 Hours of Sebring each year in March. The site was originally a military training base (Hendricks Field, built in 1941), an on December 31, 1950, the Sam Collier 6 Hour Memorial race became the first racing event ever held at Sebring and the first sports car endurance held in the U.S. The first 12 Hours of Sebring occurred fifteen months later, and in December of 1959 hosted its first-ever F1 race. 1969 was the final so-called 'Le Mans Start,' in which drivers ran to their parked cars to begin a race. See the official Web site (http://www.sebringraceway.com/index2.html) for more information, including a more-detailed circuit history and extensive lists of records. ============================================== SEPANG CIRCUIT (KUALA LAMPUR, MALAYSIA) The Sepang Circuit opened in March 1999 and includes three circuit formations: Race Track (used for the F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia), Go-Kart Track (using the first half of Race Track), and Motocross Track (circuit layout not yet available on the official Sepang Web site). This is the second-newest race venue in F1 competition, which began its F1 use at the end of the 1999 season. Sepang hosts F1, JapanGT, MotoGP, Merdeka Endurance, Malaysian Super Series, Motocross, and other track events (including private bookings). Two features cause the Sepang Circuit to truly stand out among all other F1 race venues. The first is the incredibly wide nature of the track itself, which has a 16m minimum width to provide plenty of side-by-side racing action. Aesthetically, the Sepang Circuit is literally dominated by the main grandstand, which is nestled snugly inside the two longest straightaways and has a roof designed to simulate Malaysia's national flower (the hibiscus, or Rosa Sinensis - known locally as the Bunga Raya). Unfortunately, with the relative newness of the Sepang Circuit, there is not much historical information to be found. The winners of the initial four Grands Prix of Malaysia: Eddie Irvine (1999), Michael Schumacher (2000 and 2001), and Ralf Schumacher (2002). See the official Web site (http://www.malaysiangp.com.my). ============================================== SILVERSTONE (UNITED KINGDOM) The world-famous Silverstone circuit - often spoken of in the same terms as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Monza - has hosted F1 racing since 1950. This 5.110-kilometer (3.194- mile) circuit is set at an airport site, and contains several configurations. The Silverstone International circuit (used for the British TOCA series) shares much of the same pavement as the Grand Prix circuit used for the annual F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain; in fact, the pavement for the two circuits even cross at approximately two-thirds of the way around the International circuit. During World War II, the Royal Air Force chose the site now known as Silverstone for an airfield and a bomber-training base. Following the war, other circuits such as Donnington Park and Brooklands could not be used for racing due to having been converted for wartime uses. Thus, in 1948, the Silverstone site was used for its first race... with the circuit marked by hay bales. The circuit was redone in 1949 and assumed a configuration roughly equivalent to that in current use. F1 began in 1950, and held its first race at Silverstone. Guiseppe Farina won the first-ever F1 race in an Alfa Romeo. The British Racing Drivers' Club operated Silverstone until 2001, when current owner Octagon Motorsports took control of the venue; this also ensures that the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone for at least the next fifteen years. The world's best F1 drivers have all placed themselves into the Silverstone record books, including Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, John Watson, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Eddie Irvine, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, and David Coulthard. The track record is held by Michael Schumacher, at 1:24.475 with an average speed of 217.784KPH (136.115MPH). Silverstone hosts far more than just F1: Grand Prix motorcycles, SuperBikes, Karts, FIA GTs, European Le Mans, RallySprint, stages of the Rally of Great Britain, British Touring Car Championship, and British Formula 3 and GT. The official Web site is actually the site for Octagon Motorsports (http://www.octagonmotorsports.com/), which owns and operates Silverstone, as well as Snetterton, Cadwell Park, Brands Hatch, and Oulton Park. ============================================== SNETTERTON (SNETTERTON, NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM) The Snetterton Circuit hosts numerous race events, including British Superbikes, British Formula Three, British GT, and Euro Palmer Audi. Official circuit history from Octagon Motorsports: Located at a former World War 2 US air base, Snetterton began its motorsport life in the hands of a group of Aston Martin enthusiasts. Among the first additions to the track were two chicanes designed to reduce racing speeds down the huge runways! Jochen Rindt made his name here, and the Formula Ford Festival further enhanced Snetterton's reputation as the breeding ground of champions. With two of the longest straights in the country, and a location deep in the countryside, Snetterton is an ideal venue for round-the-clock events, long distance record attempts and speed trials. Newly built pit garages and hospitality suites have further enhanced its spectator appeal. See the official Web site of Octagon Motorsports (http://circuits.octagonmotorsports.com/) for more information on this and other Octagon Motorsports race venues in the United Kingdom. ============================================== SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (SPA, BELGIUM) The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of the most scenic race venues in all of F1 racing (especially now that the Hockenheim circuit in Germany has been practically destroyed in its new, far shorter configuration); races here are also as much characterized by the often-changing weather as by the challenging circuit itself. The Spa-Francorchamps venue has been as long as 14.038 kilometers (8.774 miles) in length (from 1950 to 1956), but has been greatly shortened now to 6.928 kilometers (4.330 miles) in length. This is a tricky circuit, categorized primarily by the tight La Source hairpin just beyond the Start/Finish Line, and the long, snaking, steep, uphill climb up Eau Rouge to the tree-lined Kemmel Straight (the highest area of the circuit). The Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts numerous forms of motorsport, including F1, Karting, and motorbikes. There are also two driving schools based at Spa-Francorchamps: Peugeot Driving School EPMA and RACB Driving school. Conceived in 1920, the circuit was ready for racing in August 1921... but there was no race, as only one competitor had registered :-( Three years later, Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first annual 24 Hours of Francorchamps (24 Hours of Spa), an endurance race begun only one year following the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans. Until World War II, the major events held at the circuit were the motorcycle grand prix races, the Belgian Grand Prix, and the 24 Hours of Francorchamps. However, by the 1970s, drivers were sincerely concerned about safety along the lengthy Spa-Francorchamps circuit. After numerous propositions, a shorter circuit was created, and the 7-kilomter circuit was inaugurated in 1979. Fortunately, the new circuit kept the main characteristics of its massive former self and also sported many safety improvements. With the shorter, safer circuit, the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium was able to return to Spa-Francorchamps. The current track record was set by Michael Schumacher at 1:43.726 (241.837KMH, or 151.148MPH) in 2002. In one of the most spectacular passes in recent F1 history, the 2000 Grand Prix of Belgium hinged upon Mika Salo drafting behind Michael Schumacher to make a pass for the race lead at the end of Kemmel Straight, using a third car as a pick on entering Malmedy-Les Combes at the highest point of the Spa- Francorchamps circuit. Notable F1 winners at Spa-Francorchamps: Juan Manuel Fangio (1950, 1954, and 1955), Alberto Ascari (1952 and 1953), Jack Brabham (1960), Jim Clark (1962-1965), Emerson Fittipaldi (1972), Alain Prost (1983 and 1987), Ayrton Senna (1985, and 1988-1991), Nigel Mansell (1986), Michael Schumacher (1992, 1995-1997, and 2001-2002), and Mika Hakkinen (2000). Please visit the official Web site (http://www.spa- francorchamps.be/) for a lot of excellent information on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and its many events and driving schools.. ============================================== SURFERS PARADISE (GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA) This is a 2.795-mile (4.472-kilometer) temporary street course venue used in the CART series as its lone race in Australia. The back side of the circuit is located very close to the beach and the Pacific Ocean. The 2002 race weekend is anchored by CART, but also includes Formula 3, Nations Cup, Century Batteries V8 Brutes, Triple M Drag Racing Exhibition, and Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge. The 2002 CART race at Surfers Paradise will forever be remembered as a major controversial bungle by CART officials. For approximately six months, the area had not received a single drop of rain, and the first two days of the race weekend were perfectly sunny. Come raceday, however, the skies truly opened. The initial start of the race took place in horrid conditions as the rain continued to fall; since CART's Champ Cars spew tremendous roostertails of spray in wet conditions, drivers could not truly see more than about a meter in front of them, resulting in an opening-lap melee (far worse than the opening-lap incident at the 2002 F1 Grand Prix of Australia) which practically destroyed ten cars and sent two drivers to the hospital for precautionary x-rays (both drivers were later pronounced okay, just extremely sore and with very minor fractures). After ninety minutes spent clearing the accident and cleaning the track, the race was officially shortened to fifty laps and restarted. Due to the continuing downpour, the first three laps were run under the Yellow Flag before a grand total of seven laps were run under the Green Flag. Then the downpour worsened and never relented. Because the initial scheduled race distance was seventy laps, the race had to reach at least Lap 36 to become official, which sent teams scrambling to find and implement various Pit Stop strategies to make use of this rule for safety reasons, as even metal- plated ducks would have preferred to stay out of the tremendous downpour. However, once the teams had all played their strategies, CART official inexplicably decided to stop the race after 41 laps, thus handing the race victory to a rookie who had endured extremely tremendous BAD luck all season long. The still-worsening downpour, the rapidly- approaching nightfall, and the contractual agreement to have the streets of Surfers Paradise open for public use the following morning all prompted CART officials to stop the race after only 40 laps... but teams, drivers, and fans alike were all extremely furious, on a level exceeding Ferrari's fiascos at the 2002 Grand Prix of Austria and the 2002 Grand Prix of the United States. The official Web site (http://www.indy.com.au/) unfortunately does not include any historical information. ============================================== SUZUKA (JAPAN) In operation since at least 1962 and the host of F1 races since 1987, Suzuka Circuit is the host of many forms of motorsport - including F1 and other Formula series, and motorbikes (including MotoGP) - as well as several racing schools. Suzuka comprises two different circuits: the 5.821- kilometer (3.638-mile) International Racing Course (used for F1 events) and the 1.264-kilometer (0.790-mile) Southern Course (which itself contains numerous configurations). F1 winners at Suzuka: Gerhard Berger (1987 and 1991), Ayrton Senna (1988), Alessandro Nannini (1989), Nelson Piquet (1990), Riccardo Patrese (1992), Ayrton Senna (1993), Damon Hill (1994 and 1996), Michael Schumacher (1995, 1997, and 2000-2002), and Mika Hakkinen (1998 and 1999). Japanese fans will long remember the 2002 F1 Grand Prix of Japan, both because only ONE Honda-powered car finished the race, and because it was driven by Japanese driver Sato Takuma, scoring his first points of the season and catapulting the Jordan team ahead of Jaguar in the Constructors Championship. Simply listening to the thousands of spectators whenever Sato drove past a grandstand was incredibly inspiring even to those watching the race on television :-) Unfortunately, the official Web site (http://www.suzukacircuit.co.jp/) is almost exclusively in Japanese. Many section titles are also given in English (such as Event Calendar, Group Enjoy!, and Circuit Queen), but the only truly-English area is a single page with downloadable files of information for buying tickets to the next Grand Prix of Japan. ============================================== TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY (TALLADEGA, ALABAMA, USA) One of the jewels of NASCAR racing, Talladega Suoerspeedway (formerly Alabama International Motor Speedway) is known as the world's fastest superspeedway; for this reason, NASCAR races here are run with restrictor plates in an effort to slow the cars somewhat. This is a 2.66-mile (4.356- kilometer) tri-oval with thirty-three degrees of banking in the corners. Circuit history from the official Web site: Talladega Superspeedway was built to be the biggest, fastest and most competitive speedway in the world. It was molded out of a soybean field located next to a couple of abandoned World War II airport runways. NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation founder William H.B. (Bill) France and Anniston (AL) insurance executive Bill Ward found the site. The track was opened in September of 1969 and has played host to two NASCAR Winston Cup Series events each year since. Today, Talladega Superspeedway is noted for being the most competitive track on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit. Six of the Top 10 most competitive Winston Cup events were held at Talladega Superspeedway. The track also holds the fastest qualifying mark in NASCAR history with Bill Elliott's 212.809 mph in April of 1987 and the fastest 500 mile race in Winston Cup history when Mark Martin won the DieHard 500 in 2 hours, 39 minutes, 18 seconds in May of 1997. NASCAR records at Talladega Superspeedway: - Winston Cup: Mark Martin, at 188.354MPH (301.366KPH, set May 10, 1997) - Busch Series: Mark Martin, at 168.937MPH (270.299KPH, set April 26, 1997) See the official Web site (http://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/) for more information. ============================================== THRUXTON (ANDOVER, UNITED KINGDOM) Billed as the United Kingdom's fastest circuit, the 2.356- mile (3.792-kilometer) circuit is located near Andover. 'The School' includes training on a number of cars, including Ferrari 355, Ferrari 360, MG ZS Saloons, Mercedes Benz SLK, and Porsche Boxter's, as well as Martini Formula Renault single-seaters, and a former Le Mans SR2 sports racing car. Racing events include Porsche Classic Champ, Post Historic Touring Cars, Group One Touring Cars, Classic Thunder, Austin Healey's, Classic Clubmans, Classic Formula Ford 2000, British Touring Cars, Formula Renault, Elf Clio's, Formula Ford Zetec's, Porsche Cup, British Truck Racing, Anglo/French Truck Racing, Formula Renault, Elf Clio's, Pickup Trucks, MGOC MG's, The Austin Healey 50th Anniversary Festival, British Superbike, British F3's, British GT's, Avon Junior Formula Ford, Caterham Superlights, TVR Tuscans, Mini Miglias, Mini Se7ens, VW Cup, Kumho BMW's, Westfield Sportscars, Ginetta Sportscars, MG X-Power K Sports, BARC Formula Renault, Formula Saloons, and Toyo Tyres Mod Prod Saloons. I have been unable to find a history of the Thruxton Circuit. ============================================== TORONTO (STREET CIRCUIT; TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA) This 1.755-mile (2.808-kilometer) temporary street circuit is officially named as 'Exhibition Place.' The circuit primarily features one of the three Canadian rounds of the CART-FedEx Championship Series, but also includes CART Atlantic, CASCAR Super Series, Barber Dodge Pro Series, and Formula F-1600. Circuit history from the official Web site: In 1968 the late John F. Basset Jr., whose father owned the Toronto Telegram, and former Sun Publishing executive Don Hunt, who was then in public relations, announced that they were going to create a race circuit on the Exhibition grounds and stage Indy car and Formula One events on an annual basis. An appropriately named company, Lakeshore Raceway, was formed. The proposal called for a 3.7 kilometre circuit (the current layout is 2.90 km) with the start/finish line and pits located in Exhibition Stadium and using Lakeshore Blvd. as the back straight. Opposition to the plan came from three groups: 1) residents close to Exhibition Place who feared the noise and crowds would disrupt their neighbourhood; 2) Mosport Park, who at the time felt their business would suffer; and 3) those who opposed the use of a public facility by a private company. Although many believe that racing didn't come to Toronto that year because of government resistance, the proposal had in fact won approval from each government level. It was a threat by the local ratepayers' association to seek a court injunction that persuaded Bassett and Hunt to scrap their plans. The idea of racing at the Exhibition grounds resurfaced in 1975, ironically lead by Mosport Park. Mosport was the promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix at the time and felt that the magnitude and cost of staging the event had outgrown their facility. A race in downtown Toronto was an attractive proposition. Like Bassett and Hunt before them though, Mosport's management ran smack into the local ratepayers' association. The Formula One race left Southern Ontario for the Montreal's Expo site in 1977, where it has remained. In 1984 Molson Breweries acquired the rights to stage CART races in Canada. That year they sponsored the Saner Molson Indy just outside of Montreal on Sagria's 1.2 kilometre tri-oval. Plans for staging a race in Toronto at Exhibition Place also began. Determined to learn from the previous attempts, the Molson group addressed the concerns of local residents and gained the necessary approval from all levels of government. On November 26, 1985 a press conference was held to announce that Toronto would finally host a major league auto race. The first Molson Indy took place on July 20, 1986 before a sold-out crowd of 60,000. The phrase that was most often used to describe that first Molson Indy in 1986 was 'an idea whose time had come.' But perhaps Toronto Star sportswriter Frank Orr put it best in an article for that year's program describing the event as 'an idea that took a very long time to get here.' Johnny Bassett's vision and efforts were acknowledged by the Molson Indy Board of Trustees in 1988 when they created the John F. Bassett Jr. Award to 'recognize a Canadian individual, organization or event which has made a significant contribution to the development and growth of Canadian motorsport racing.' The first recipient - John F. Bassett - was presented the Award posthumously. See the official Web site (http://www.molsonindy.com/) for more information. ============================================== TWIN RING MOTEGI (MOTEGI, JAPAN) The main circuit at Twin Ring Motegi is a 1.548-mile (2.477- kilometer) oval speedway best known to Americans as the site of its lone Japanese race each year. There is also a 4.8- kilometer (3.0-mile) road course. Race events at Twin Ring Motegi include Motegi Champion Cup, Motegi Short Course Championship, Motegi Kart, Motegi Gymkhana, JMRC Ibaraki, JMRC Tochigi, Motegi Midget Car, BERC Drag Racing Championship, CART, Motegi Road Race, Japan Kart Championship, Motegi Dirt Tracker, Endurance Carnival Motegi Enjoy Endurance Race, Shimano Motegi Road Race,Tour of Japan, All Japan F3 Championship Series, Super Endurance Series, MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship, Motegi Super Bike Race, All Japan Championship Formula Nippon, Twin Ring Motegi UFJ Card Cup, Formula Dream, East Japan Junior Champion Cup, Motegi Open 7-Hour Endurance Road Race, Motegi Kart Endurance Festival, ARTA Cup, AUTOBACS Cup All Japan GT Championship, Soichiro Honda Cup All Japan Honda Econo-Power Fuel Efficiency Competition, FIM MotoGP World Championship Series, Gauloises Pacific Grand Prix of MOTEGI, and Historic Automobile Festival. See the official Web site (http://www.twinring.jp/) for more information. Unfortunately, however, the English-language version of the site does not include a venue history. ============================================== VANCOUVER (STREET CIRCUIT; VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA) The Vancouver temporary street circuit primarily features one of the three Canadian rounds of the CART-FedEx Championship Series, but also includes CASCAR Super Series, Fran-Am, Barber Dodge Pro Series, and the SCCBC Sedan Invitational Race. Circuit history from the official Web site (written in 2002): From green flag to checkered flag, the challenging Vancouver course will take the world's most talented drivers on a heart-pounding 12-turn ride through the streets of downtown Vancouver. With the spectacular North Shore mountains as a backdrop, the twisting waterfront course is sure to test the limits of every CART driver and their million-dollar racing machines. Last year a packed house of more than 65,000 cheering fans were revved up for another Canadian victory following the first ever in Vancouver the year before by Team KOOL Green's 'Thrill from Westhill', Paul Tracy. Things couldn't have started any better as 26 cars took the green flag led by the all-Canadian front row of Team Players drivers Alex Tagliani and Patrick Carpentier. After 175 miles of racing and seven lead changes, it was Patrick Racing's 'Super Sub' Roberto Moreno who powered his Visteon Reynard Lola to his first victory of the season after passing fellow Brazilian Gil de Ferran with just nine laps to go. An emotional Moreno treated the crowd to some victory donuts before dedicating the race to the memory of hometown favorite Greg Moore. As always, the Vancouver race played a pivotal role in the race for the season championship. With his second place finish, Team Penske driver Gil de Ferran, took over top spot in the standings and never looked back on his way to repeating as CART FedEx Championship Series champion. Last year, more than 160,000 motorsport fans came to Concord Place to catch thrilling wheel-to-wheel action and the roar of the 800-horsepower engines. See the official Web site (http://www.molsonindy.com/) for more information. ============================================== WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL (WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK, USA) 'Law student Cameron Argetsinger dreamed of bringing European style competition to the village where he spent his summer vacations and he drew up a challenging course that encompassed asphalt, cement and dirt roads in and around the village of Watkins Glen. The dream became reality on October 2, 1948, 'The Day They Stopped the Trains,' in the first post-World War II road race in the U.S. For five years, the top names in American sports car racing visited the small village and huge crowds came out to watch them race. 'Competition moved to a temporary course in 1953, and 2.3- mile permanent circuit was built in 1956. The following year, The Glen hosted its first professional race, a NASCAR Grand National Stock Car event won by Buck Baker over Fireball Roberts. True international competition began in 1958 with the running of a Formula Libre race. 'The Formula 1 stars all visited The Glen in 1961 for the first Watkins Glen U.S. Grand Prix, which would be a fall tradition at the circuit through 1980. Innes Ireland won the inaugural running, with great drivers such as Clark, Hill, Stewart, Lauda, Fittipaldi and Hunt among the winners of later Grand Prix. 'The circuit itself was expanded in 1971, as the seventies brought a wide variety of competition to The Glen, including the Can-Am, Trans-Am, Six Hours, Formula 5000 and CART Indy Car Series. Race winners included many of the top names in international motorsports, including Mark Donohue, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter and Bruce McLaren. Alan Jones' victory in the 1980 United States Grand Prix at 'Watkins Glen marked the close of an era. Financial difficulties led to the Watkins Glen date being dropped from the Formula 1 schedule and as a result, the bankrupt track closed following a CART race in 1981. Over the next two years the track fell into disrepair, hosting only a few non- spectator SCCA weekends. Corning Enterprises, a newly- chartered subsidiary of Corning Glass Works, purchased the track in early 1983 and formed a partnership with International Speedway Corporation forming Watkins Glen International. 'The Glen reopened on July 7, 1984, with Al Holbert, Derek Bell and Jim Adams winning the inaugural Camel Continental at the renovated facility. On August 9, 1986, fans witnessed Tim Richmond's triumph at the return of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The Bud at The Glen grew to become New York State's largest motorsports event and saw some of NASCAR's finest take the checkered flag including, Martin, Wallace, and in 1998, Jeff Gordon, won his second consecutive Glen race before a record crowd. 'In 1991, Terry Labonte won the first NASCAR Busch Grand National race at the Glen beginning an impressive streak of four wins in six years, including three consecutive wins in '94 through '96. His three year win streak ranks him with other Watkins Glen three-time winners: Formula One ace Graham Hill, SportsCar drivers Al Holbert and Derek Bell and Winston Cup driver Mark Martin. '1992 saw a major reconfiguration of The Glen's back straightaway. The addition of the Inner Loop increased the length of the long course to 3.4 miles and the short course to 2.45 miles. The new turns enhanced competition while adding quality spectator viewing. The Glen cemented its distinction as North America's fastest road course when Davy Jones won the pole for the Camel Continental IX with a fast lap of 150.334 mph on the reconfigured 2.45 mile short course. 'In 1997, International Speedway Corporation, whose holdings include Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Darlington Raceway and Phoenix Int'l Raceway, became sole owner of the historic road course, exercising a stock option buy-out of Corning Incorporated. The sale completed Corning's mission of rebuilding the race track while revitalizing the Southern Finger Lakes Region. 'In addition to holding major NASCAR and SCCA events, Watkins Glen International also hosts one of the nation's premier vintage events, the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. This event was the climax of the 50th anniversary season, returning many of the original cars and drivers to the original 6.6-mile street circuit through the village during the Grand Prix Festival Race Reenactment. '1998 saw a first time combination event featuring the Lysol 200 NASCAR Busch Series and the Bully Hill Vineyards 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as the 'Festival of Speed and Sound' weekend at Watkins Glen International. A weekend filled with great racing and live musical entertainment. 'In addition, Frontier Corporation (now known as Global Crossing), a nationally known communications, cellular phone and electronic media company headquartered in Rochester, New York, became the new sponsor of NASCAR's biggest event in New York, The Frontier @ The Glen, NASCAR Winston Cup event in 1999 for a three year deal designed to showcase talented, cutting edge competition on The Glen's historic course. 'Fans that attended NASCAR Winston Cup Series races in 2000 and 2001 saw two unforgettable finishes. In 2000, Steve Park held off Mark Martin to capture his first ever Winston Cup victory and shared his emotion with the fans, celebrating on top of his car on the frontstretch. Then, history was made in 2001 with Jeff Gordon's remarkable seventh road course victory, setting a NASCAR Winston Cup record. 'Watkins Glen International celebrated the 50th anniversary of road racing in Watkins Glen during the 1998 racing season. Throughout fifty years of change, Watkins Glen has embodied more than giant crowds and great speeds. The racing community continues to return to Watkins Glen for broader reasons. Watkins Glen has become a racing institution, the premier road racing facility in the United States.' This information comes from the circuit's official Web site (http://www.theglen.com/). ============================================== WINTON MOTOR RACEWAY (BENALLA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA) At 3.0 kilometers (1.9 miles) in length, Winton is known as 'The Nation's Action Track' due to its fast straightaways combined with tight, twisting corners. The circuit is designed so that spectators can be anywhere around the circuit and still be able to see ALL the action at once. Popular events at Winton Motor Raceway include V8 Supercar Championship Series, Konica V8 Supercar Series, Super Trucks, Winton 6 Hour Motorcycle Enduro, Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship, Procar Champ Series, HQ 4 Hour Endurance Classic, Benalla Gold Cup, Australian Historic Motor Festival, Formula Xtreme, Historic Winton, and Formula Vee Nationals. From the official Web site: The Benalla Auto Club was started in 1957 by founding Member Bruce Watt. The Benalla Auto Club for many years ran race meetings at the Barja Course before starting a circuit at Winton just North of Benalla. From there the Benalla Auto Club grew from strength to strength. The construction of the 1.3 mile bitumen circuit was completed in just 12 months, with the top layer of blacktop put down just a few days before the inaugural meeting. The cost of the total construction then was 10,000 pounds. The circuits first meeting included the entry of local star Barry Stilo, who set the track's very first Outright Lap Record, a now modest time of 1 minute 24.2 seconds. In 1978 The Benalla Auto Club hosted the Rose City 10000 which saw the then Formula One World Champion, the late James Hunt, race at Winton, were he dominated. Winton Motor Raceway also hosted the first race meetings of legend drivers such as Peter Brock, Alan Jones and Allan Moffat. In 1985 Winton Motor Raceway hosted its first ever round of the Group A Shell Australian Touring Car Championship, which was also the first Touring Car round to be televised by the Seven Network. In the late 80's the Benalla Auto Club upgraded the Pit Facilities at Winton Motor Raceway. Benalla Auto Club's Round of the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship was a very popular one on the Calendar. Each year the race drew record crowds to the North East of Victoria. The touring cars took over the main event on the calendar from the Rose City 10,000 The Benalla Auto Club undertook a $500,000 upgrade in 1996 were track widening and a new surface was laid. In 1997 the Benalla Auto Club add a 1Km extension onto the existing circuit and resurface the entire circuit which was at a cost of $1.1 Million and also included a new pitlane. On June 5th 2000 a shocking, what was thought to be an accident occurred when the Race Control Tower that stood tall and proud over the circuit for many, many years, was burnt down just 5 weeks before the biggest event on the Winton Calendar, the Shell V8 Supercar Championship Round. Originally it was thought that the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the building, but after investigations by the Arson Squad and local detectives it was discovered that a large amount of accelerants were placed around two of the doors. Unfortunately the Police have not been able to find the vandals that are responsible, but they are of the opinion that they will find them. The building has now been rebuilt to its former glory, once again standing tall and proud in its rightful place, on the old front straight at Winton Motor Raceway. The circuit celebrated its 40th Anniversary in November 2001, and with recent additions such as the 1000 seat Corporate Pavilion, the new three storey Race Control building and the $300,000 Media Centre, Winton Raceway has grown to become one of the best facilitated race tracks in Australia. See the official Web site (http://www.wintonraceway.com.au/) for more information. ============================================== ZOLDER (BELGIUM) Circuit Zolder has been used in the past for F1's Grand Prix of Belgium, but is a 'sore point' amongst many current drivers due to the lack of modernized safety features. For example, the 2002 season featured primarily sand and gravel in the recovery zones, whereas the majority of European racing venues are instead removing sand and gravel to be replaced by more pavement; such changes permit cars to slide off of the actual raceway, recover, and rejoin the race. Events held at Circuit Zolder include: German Touring Cars, World Championship Cyclo-Cross, Road World Championships, FIA Electro Solar Cup, Motorcycle Road Racing Grand Prix, Grand prix of the Nations, European Historic Grand Prix, Truck Super Prix, and 24 Hours of Zolder... among others. Circuit history from the official Web site: The name 'Terlamen' is derived from 'Terlaemen', the name of the local domain that is already quoted in 1293 and at the heart whereof the circuit has been constructed. The community of Heusden-Zolder is the owner of the circuit and of the greater part of the surrounding woods. The vzw Terlamen runs the circuit. In 1959, Auto-Moto-Club Bolderberg came with the idea to build a circuit where its members could practice their hobby. In 1960, this idea was materialised in a small 2,700-meters long circuit. Very soon, it became clear that this circuit was too small for national and international competitions. A permanent and larger circuit was required. On 14 July 1963, the 4,300-meters long circuit was officially inaugurated. After the works in 1994, the length was reduced up to 4,184 meters. Although not the largest, Circuit Zolder surely is one of the safest circuits of the world. Moreover, the track has been built in such a way that the drivers can demonstrate their true capacities. Since the circuit constitutes a closed complex, timings, races or other events can be organised without obstructing the circulation on the public road. Besides many Formula 1 races in the past and other internationally famous races such as the European Historic Grand Prix and the Truck Super Prix, Circuit Zolder hosts many national and regional competitions such as the New Race Festival, the 24 Hours of Zolder, the Belgian Masters and the Race Promotion Night as well. Every year, Circuit Zolder is the place-to-be for thousands of visitors. Please see the official Web site (http://www.circuit- zolder.be/) for more information. This information on the 1982 F1 race at Zolder is provided by ViperMask, one of the biggest F1 fans I have ever met. It is edited only for formatting purposes. This is where Gilles Villeneuve died on May 8th, 1982. During practice, he was driving possessed due to his hatred for his team mate Didier Pironi (because Pironi broke a gentleman's agreement not to pass each other in Imola costing Gilles the win.) Unfortunately the MARCH of Jochen Mass was on a warm up lap or a slow down lap, so Gilles try to avoid him, yet Jochen moved trying to avoid Gilles. Gilles ended up tapping the MARCH and somersaulting his Ferrari in a HORRIFIC crash. Gilles was even thrown out of the car like a crash test dummy. Gilles died in the hospital. Gilles will always be remembered as one of the best drivers who never got a F1 World Championship. But thankfully. His son Jacques Villeneuve became a F1 world champion in 1997 for Williams Renault. ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CONTACT INFORMATION For questions, rants, raves, comments of appreciation, etc., or to be added to my e-mail list for updates to this driving guide, please contact me at: FEATHER7@IX.NETCOM.COM; also, if you have enjoyed this guide and feel that it has been helpful to you, I would certainly appreciate a small donation via PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/) using the above e-mail address. To find the latest version of this and all my other PSX/PS2/DC/Mac game guides, visit FeatherGuides at http://feathersites.angelcities.com/ ============================================== ============================================== ==============================================