Circuit Ricardo Tormo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Grand Prix Circuit (1999–present)
Location	Cheste, Valencian Community, Spain
Time zone	CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST)
Coordinates	39°29′9″N 0°37′41″W / 39.48583°N 0.62806°W / 39.48583; -0.62806
Capacity	165,000 (125,000 seating)
FIA Grade	2 (2 layouts)
Broke ground	1998
Opened	19 September 1999; 26 years ago (1999-09-19)
Major events	Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix (1999–2023, 2025) European motorcycle Grand Prix (2020) TCR World Tour (2025) GTWC Europe (2021–2023, 2025) NASCAR Euro Series (2012, 2014–present) Ferrari Challenge Europe (2006, 2009–2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025) Former: Formula E Valencia ePrix (2021) FIA Motorsport Games (2024) TCR Europe (2024) WTCC Race of Spain (2005–2012) DTM (2010–2012) World SBK (2000–2010) Le Mans Series (2007)
Grand Prix Circuit (1999–present)
Length	4.005 km (2.488 mi)
Turns	14
Race lap record	1:21.244 ( Andreas Zuber, Dallara GP2/05, 2006, GP2)
Formula E Circuit (2021)
Length	3.376 km (2.098 mi)
Turns	15
Race lap record	1:30.081 ( Alexander Sims, Mahindra M7Electro, 2021, F-E)
External Circuit (1999–present)
Length	3.036 km (1.886 mi)
Turns	11
School Circuit (1999–present)
Length	1.300 km (0.808 mi)
Turns	7

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo is a famous race track in Cheste, Spain. It's also known as Circuit de Valencia. This exciting track is about 4 kilometers (2.488 miles) long and was built in 1999. It's named after Ricardo Tormo, a Spanish motorcycle racer who won two world championships. Sadly, he passed away in 1998.

The circuit can hold a huge crowd of 165,000 people, with 125,000 seats. It's a popular spot for many different kinds of races. For example, it hosts the exciting MotoGP Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix. Other big events like the NASCAR Euro Series and GT World Challenge Europe also take place here. It has even been used for testing by Formula E electric race cars since 2017.

Formula E Races at the Circuit

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo has been a key testing ground for Formula E teams. These teams use the track to prepare their electric race cars before the season starts. In 2021, the circuit hosted its first official Formula E race, called the Valencia ePrix. This was a special event because it was the first time a Formula E race happened on a permanent race track.

For the race, the track was set up a bit differently. A temporary chicane (a tricky set of turns) was added to the main straight. This made the race even more challenging for the drivers. In October 2024, pre-season testing had to move to a different track near Madrid. This was because of heavy flooding in the Valencia area.

The Circuit in Video Games

You might have seen the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in some video games! It has been recreated in games like Tourist Trophy and Gran Turismo PSP. You can also find it in Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano, GTR Evolution, and rFactor. Since it hosts MotoGP races, the track has appeared in every MotoGP game since 1999. It also featured in SBK games from 2006 to 2013. The most recent game to include the track is Assetto Corsa Competizione, which added it in 2023.

Different Ways to Race: Track Layouts

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo is super cool because it can be set up in different ways. This means it can host various types of races and events. Each layout changes the length and number of turns. This makes it exciting for different kinds of vehicles, from motorcycles to electric cars.

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  Grand Prix Circuit (1999–present)

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  Grand Prix Circuit Proposal (2006)

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  Formula E Pre-Season Testing Circuit (2018–2019)

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  Formula E Circuit (2021–present)

Exciting Races and Events

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo is always busy with thrilling motorsport events. Here are some of the races and championships that happen or have happened at this track:

Current Major Events

• Motorcycle Grand Prix: The Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix is a highlight every November.
• NASCAR Euro Series: These stock car races bring American-style excitement to Spain every April.
• GT World Challenge Europe: High-performance GT cars battle it out in September.
• Ferrari Challenge Europe: Fans can see beautiful Ferrari cars racing in June.
• TCR World Tour: Touring car races with close competition happen in June.
• Formula 4 Spanish Championship: Young drivers compete to become future stars in October.

Past Famous Races

Many other important races have taken place here over the years:

• World Touring Car Championship (WTCC): From 2005 to 2012, touring cars raced fiercely.
• Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM): German touring car races were held from 2010 to 2012.
• Superbike World Championship (World SBK): Motorcycle superbike races thrilled fans from 2000 to 2010.
• European Le Mans Series: Endurance sports car races, like the 1000 km Valencia, happened in 2007.
• GP2 Series: A stepping stone for future Formula 1 drivers, held races in 2006 and 2007.
• FIA Motorsport Games: This event, like an Olympics for motorsport, was hosted in 2024.

Fastest Laps at the Circuit

A lap record is the fastest time a vehicle has completed one full lap of the track during a race. It shows how fast cars and motorcycles can go!

The unofficial fastest lap ever was set by Anthony Davidson in 2006. He drove a Honda F1 car in testing and completed a lap in just 1 minute and 8.540 seconds.

Here are some of the official fastest race lap records for different types of vehicles on the main Grand Prix Circuit:

See also

In Spanish: Circuito Ricardo Tormo para niños