Street circuit

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The Monaco Grand Prix, held at the Circuit de Monaco, is one of the world's most prestigious and famous auto races. The Montecarlo's harbour during the days of Formula 1 Monaco GP 2013.jpg
The Monaco Grand Prix, held at the Circuit de Monaco, is one of the world's most prestigious and famous auto races.
The Toronto Indy street circuit has run at Toronto's Exhibition Place since 1986. 2003 Molson Indy Toronto.jpg
The Toronto Indy street circuit has run at Toronto’s Exhibition Place since 1986.

A street circuit is a motorsport racing circuit composed of temporarily closed-off public roads of a city, town or village, used in motor races. Airport runways and taxiways are also sometimes part of street circuits. Facilities such as the paddock, pit boxes, fences and grandstands are usually installed temporarily and removed soon after the race is over but in modern times the pits, garages, race control and main grandstands are sometimes permanently constructed in the area. Since the track surface is originally planned for normal speeds, race drivers often find street circuits bumpy and lacking grip. Run-off areas may be non-existent, which makes driving mistakes more expensive than in purpose-built circuits with wider run-off areas. Racing on a street circuit is also called "legal street racing".

Contents

Local governments sometimes support races held in street circuits to promote tourism. In some cases, short segments or connector roads of the circuit are purpose-built for the racecourse, and remain in place year-round, but are not otherwise utilized by public traffic.

List of street circuits

active circuits in bold

Americas

The St. Petersburg street circuit held its first race in 1985, and was integrated into the IndyCar Series in 2003. TurnTen.jpg
The St. Petersburg street circuit held its first race in 1985, and was integrated into the IndyCar Series in 2003.
Punta del Este Street Circuit, Uruguay was the first ePrix of Formula E in the Americas. It runs along Punta del Este's harbour - nicknamed the Monte Carlo of South America. Punta del Este ePrix 2014 02.jpg
Punta del Este Street Circuit, Uruguay was the first ePrix of Formula E in the Americas. It runs along Punta del Este's harbour – nicknamed the Monte Carlo of South America.
Puerto Madero Street Circuit, Argentina, alongside a typical food stand in the Costanera Sur. Largada y puesto de bondiola.jpg
Puerto Madero Street Circuit, Argentina, alongside a typical food stand in the Costanera Sur.

Asia

Guia Circuit, host of both the Macau Grand Prix and the World Touring Car Cup's Race of Macau. Macau Grand Prix - entry into the Lisboa corner, Guia Circuit.jpg
Guia Circuit, host of both the Macau Grand Prix and the World Touring Car Cup's Race of Macau.
Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, currently used in Formula 1. Singapore grand prix fullerton test.JPG
Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, currently used in Formula 1.

Europe and Africa

Circuit de la Sarthe, also known as Le Mans for its association with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, partly runs on public road. Circuito de la Sarthe-curva dunlop.JPG
Circuit de la Sarthe, also known as Le Mans for its association with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, partly runs on public road.

Oceania

Albert Park Circuit, Australia 2014 Australian F1 Grand Prix (13124899313).jpg
Albert Park Circuit, Australia

Never used

See also

Footnotes

  1. Mandalika is not a street circuit as defined in the Wikipedia article; the name was created by the Indonesian government, which owns and has developed the circuit from scrubland. See Talk:Mandalika International Street Circuit#Street circuit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuji Speedway</span> Motorsport track in Japan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungaroring</span> Race track in Mogyoród, Hungary

The Hungaroring is a 4.381 km (2.722 mi) motorsport racetrack in Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend recommended Budapest. They wanted a street circuit similar to the Circuit de Monaco to be built in the Népliget – Budapest's largest park – but the government decided to build a new circuit just outside the city near a major highway. Construction works started on 1 October 1985. It was built in eight months, less time than any other Formula One circuit. The first race was held on 24 March 1986, in memory of János Drapál, the first Hungarian who won motorcycle Grand Prix races. According to a survey put together by the national tourism office of Hungary, Mogyoród ranks third among Hungarian destinations visited by tourists, behind the Danube Bend area and Lake Balaton, but ahead of Budapest. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laguna Seca</span> Motorsport track in the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain International Circuit</span> Motorsport track in Bahrain

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit Zolder</span> Motorsport track in Belgium

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">TT Circuit Assen</span> Motorsport track in the Netherlands

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References

  1. "Circuit Guide | Punta del Este, Uruguay | FIA Formula E". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  2. "Formula E reveals circuit for Punta del Este ePrix". FIA Formula E. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  3. "Formula E unveils Punta del Este circuit in Uruguay". autosport.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  4. "Motor Racing: Hanoi to host F1 race in 2020". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 2018-11-03.