 | |
 Full Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Location | Ronda,Málaga,Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°49′32″N5°5′1″W / 36.82556°N 5.08361°W /36.82556; -5.08361 |
| Owner | Klaas Zwart [de] (2003–March 2022) |
| Broke ground | 2000; 25 years ago (2000) |
| Opened | 2003; 22 years ago (2003) |
| Construction cost | €40 million |
| Architect | Klaas Zwart [de] |
| Major events | Former: EuroBOSS Series (2006–2008) |
| Website | ascari |
| Full Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.371 mi (5.425 km) |
| Turns | 26 |
| Circuit 1/Center (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.611 mi (2.592 km) |
| Circuit 2/North (2003–present) | |
| Length | 0.833 mi (1.341 km) |
| Circuit 3/South (2003–present) | |
| Length | 0.949 mi (1.527 km) |
TheCircuito Ascari resort is a private motorsports club for automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers with a 5.425 km (3.371 mi) long motor racing circuit nearRonda, a city in the SpanishProvince of Málaga. It was founded, designed, and built by DutchmanKlaas Zwart [de], a racing enthusiast and owner ofAscari Cars; the track was completed in 2003. In 2022, Zwart sold the facility to two companies in Switzerland and Argentina.
After making his fortune in the oil industry, Zwart participated in various racing events, including theBritish GT where he finished third in 1995 andEuroBOSS, where he was champion in 2003, 2006, and 2007;[1] he purchased the Ascari Cars marque in 1999 and began considering where he and others could drive theirsupercars safely away from road traffic, which led him to purchase land near Ronda, in the southern part of Spain. Construction of the track began in 2000, and Zwart designed the track to conform with the existing contours of the site. It was completed in 2003.[2] Final cost was estimated at€40 million.[3] The site was formerly used as a sheep farm.[4]
After building the track, Zwart opened up membership to 500 wealthy motorsports enthusiasts, includingMartin Brundle,Christian Danner,Jay Kay, andDolph Lundgren.[4] In March 2022, CEO Jesús Gijón confirmed that two companies, one from Switzerland and one from Argentina, had purchased the Ascari site from Zwart. The new owners expressed concern that nearby proposed photovoltaic energy developments could cause "irreparable damage for the landscape and environment in the area".[5]
The site is approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from Ronda, the nearest town, located between the hills and a military training base so noise is not an issue.[6] Because of its location, it is favored by European car manufacturers for product launches.[6][7][8]
In addition to the track, the clubhouse features a complete restaurant and pool reminiscent of a Spanish villa.[9]
Many of the full circuit's 26 curves are deliberately reminiscent of famous turns at other tracks around the world.[1][2] The track is 12.2 m (40 ft) wide, featuring ascending and descending grades of up to 12%, and banked turns of up to 18%.[7] Visitors may choose to rent a car at the track, ranging from race-prepared regular production sports cars to ex-Formula 1 racing machines.[10]
Klaas Zwart set the overall record of 1:38.46 in an ex-F1JaguarR5 (2004) in 2019. Pål Pettersen Berg set the record for roadgoing vehicles in 2020 at 2:14.078 in aPorsche911 GT2 RS (991.2).
Sony Computer Entertainment used Ronda and the Ascari resort to launch theirracing video gameGran Turismo 6 in 2013.[2] It is a playable track in the game.[11][12]