A new circuit in Portugal

There has been talk for some time about an international racing circuit at Portimao on Portugal's southern coast. The promoters of the idea were at the Motorsport Business Forum in Monaco to give more information about the track and to show the world that work has already begun on the construction of the complex. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is 40 minutes from the international airport at Faro with a direct connection by motorway. The track will have a number of different configurations the longest being 2.91 miles in length and is equipped for all levels of international motor racing. The circuit will also have a system for simulating rain which will allow for different amounts of water on the tarmac. In addition the facilities will include an international standard kart facility, a technology park and the Algarve Race Resort, a hotel which will also have apartments that can be rented. There will also be a sports complex which will feature a sports clinic, a gym and a swimming pool, squash courts and a football field.

The construction work will be finished by October 2008 when the track will host a round of the World Superbike Championship.

There is, naturally much talk of perhaps one day bringing back the Portuguese Grand Prix but this seems at the moment to be a little premature although there are signs that Portimao will quickly become a major testing centre for F1, in competition with nearby Jerez de le Frontera, and with the Spanish circuits at Barcelona and Valencia. Grandprix.com