Circuit of Jerez

Circuito de Jerez arose from a challenge and a passion.  Passion that the people of Jerez have always felt for motorsport and which its mayor, Pedro Pacheco -the real driving force of the project- wisely took on and made into a brilliant reality. Before the construction of the circuit, Jerez had already organized speed races on a national level from 1956 and on an international level from 1963.

On the 8th of December 1985 the dream came true: a track  4,218 m long with 16 curves and a starting straight of 600 m. The opening took place with the running of the Turing Car Spanish Championship. On the 29th of March 1986,  came the first International Motorcycle Event, inaugurating the facilities of the circuit (pits, control tower, hospital) And finally, on the 13th of April, the starting flag to the Gran Premio Tío Pepe de España, which counted for the 1986 Formula One World Championship, an event that Spain had lost back in 1981, and which Jerez had finally regained with honor.

Senna, Mansell, Prost, Piquet, Rosberg, Berger, Fabi, Alboreto, Patresse, Nannini... 26 single-seaters formed the grid of a race that would effect history by having the closest finish between first and second place just 14 thousandth of a second.

At the same time, in 1987 the First Grand Prix of Motorbikes took place at the Circuito being the first one of the fifteen following ones that would take place at the Circuito year after year until 2001. This race has turned, due to its own merits, into one of the most important events in the International Calendar of the World Championship. Thus, there are more and more spectators coming every year to see, support and cheer for the most famous riders of the Grand Prix. Supporters from the remotest towns in Spain as well as from all European countries create the public that comes massively to the circuito.  Coming down to Jerez in May, when the Grand Prix takes place, means a pilgrimage to the Mecca of sport of  motorcycles in Spain for all those who love the World of Motorbikes and competition. This Circuito has seen how great riders such as Alex Crivillé, the latest winner of the Spanish Grand Prix in the category of 500cc, Carlos Checa, Juan Bautista Borja, Emilio Alzamora, José Luis Cardoso, etc.. have grown up in this sport. We also cannot forget names like Sito Pons, Joan Garriga, Carlos Cardús, Alberto Puig who have become legends of the motorbike world in Spain.

In 1992 the Jerez circuit undertook its first big change. The construction of the new curve followed by a 600 m straight, suppressing the existing chicane. The track was now even more spectacular and its length elongated to 4,423 m. The whole track was re-asphalted, as well as the service ways and paddocks. The pit-lane wall was provided with electricity, and the Press Room was enlarged to a capacity of 200 journalists.  Also at the track, 700 m of the new and revolutionary safety system called "air-fence" was installed. This system consists of compressed air modules designed to absorb the hit of a fallen rider, replacing the straw bales of old. Jerez was the first circuit to offer this safety device. The first motocross track in the world within a permanent speed circuit was also constructed in 1992. It was said to be one of the most spectacular courses in the world. 125 and 250 World Motocross Championships have already been chosen as the scenery for the most prestigious race: the Motocross of the Nations 1996.
 In the summer of 1994, having to organize the European Formula One Grand Prix in October, the Jerez Circuit undertook one more a major transformation: a new chicane just before the Ferrari bend, is constructed for the exclusive use of Formula One race cars. When this variation is used, the track measures 4,428 m. Beside this, new escape areas (gravel beds) were created and the existing ones were enlarged to the maximum.

Since it is creation, Circuito de Jerez has developed an impressive range of activities . Its climatology allows it to be used throughout the year, being the favourite of many teams. It is also requested by a great number of companies who rent its facilities for presentations, incentives and retreats.