Montjuïc circuit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Montjuïc circuit

Temporary Street Circuit (1933–1950, 1953–1986)
Location	Montjuïc, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Time zone	UTC+01:00
Coordinates	41°21′59″N 2°09′06″E / 41.36639°N 2.15167°E / 41.36639; 2.15167
Opened	1933
Closed	1986
Major events	FIM EWC (1960–1982) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix (1951–1955, 1961–1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976) Formula One Spanish Grand Prix (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975) European Formula Two Championship (1970, 1974) Sidecar World Championship (1951–1952, 1955, 1961–1967) Grand Prix motor racing Penya Rhin Grand Prix (1933–1936) Formula 750 (1973)
Temporary Street Circuit (1933–1950, 1953–1986)
Length	3.791 km (2.356 mi)
Turns	12
Race lap record	1:23.800 ( Ronnie Peterson, Lotus 72E, 1973, F1)
Temporary Street Circuit (1952)
Length	4.205 km (2.613 mi)
Race lap record	2:33.570 ( Umberto Masetti, Gilera 500 Saturno "Piuma" [it], 1952, 500cc)
Temporary Street Circuit (1951)
Length	6.033 km (3.749 mi)
Race lap record	3:45.000 ( Enrico Lorenzetti, Moto Guzzi 500 Bicilindrica [it], 1951, 500cc)

The Montjuïc circuit was a famous street racing track in Barcelona, Spain. It was located on the beautiful Montjuïc mountain, which overlooks the city's harbor. This circuit was special because it wasn't a permanent track; it used public roads that were closed off for races. Many exciting car and motorcycle races happened here, including the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix and even four Formula One Grand Prix events. It was known for its challenging turns and fast sections, making it a real test for drivers and riders.

Racing History at Montjuïc

Early Races and the Penya Rhin Grand Prix

Racing began on Montjuïc mountain in 1932. The first big race was held on a street circuit that started in Montjuïc Park. The track used for the 1933 race became the official Montjuïc Circuit. It quickly became famous for hosting the Penya Rhin Grand Prix.

Formula One Comes to Barcelona

In 1968, the Montjuïc circuit was chosen to host the Spanish Grand Prix for Formula One cars. The first Formula One race there was on May 4, 1969. The track was tricky because one half was slow and twisty, while the other half was very fast. This made it hard for teams to set up their cars perfectly.

The 1975 Spanish Grand Prix and Safety Concerns

The 1975 Spanish Grand Prix was a very sad day for the circuit. Many drivers felt the track was not safe enough. Because of these safety worries, two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi decided not to race. During the race, a car driven by Rolf Stommelen crashed, causing a terrible accident.

After this event, Formula One races never returned to Montjuïc. The race was stopped early, and only half points were given to the drivers. Interestingly, Lella Lombardi made history that day. She became the first and only female driver to score points in a Formula One World Championship race, earning 0.5 points for finishing sixth.

Motorcycle Endurance Races

Besides Formula One, the Montjuïc circuit was also famous for motorcycle racing. It hosted the 24 Hours of Montjuïc, a tough endurance race for motorcycles. This event took place every year from 1960 to 1982, testing the limits of riders and their machines.

Montjuïc Today

The area where the circuit once ran is now part of the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring). This area was developed for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Many Olympic venues are located there today.

In 2004, the city of Barcelona decided to mark out the old circuit's path. This helps people remember where the famous races took place.

In 2007, a special event called Martini Legends was held. It celebrated the circuit's 75th anniversary. Old Formula One cars returned to Montjuïc, with drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi and Marc Gené driving classic and modern Ferraris. It was a great way to honor the circuit's racing past.

Fastest Laps at Montjuïc

Here are some of the fastest official race lap records set at the Montjuïc circuit:

See also

In Spanish: Circuito de Montjuïc para niños