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Valencia Street Circuit facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Circuit de Valencia
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Valencia Street Circuit
Swing-bridge Valencia Street Circuit.jpg
The swing bridge, an important element of the Valencia Street Circuit
Location Valencia, Spain
Time zone GMT +1
Opened 2008
Major events FIA Formula One
European Grand Prix
Circuit Valensia street.png
Surface Asphalt
Length 5.419 km (3.367 mi)
Turns 25
Race lap record 1:38.683 (Germany Timo Glock, Toyota, 2009)

The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent street circuit in Valencia Spain. The circuit will host the Formula One European Grand Prix for seven years starting in 2008 The first Formula One race on the circuit was held on 24 August 2008, with Felipe Massa winning the event, the European Grand Prix. The circuit uses the roads around the city's harbour and America's Cup port area. One section of the circuit uses a 140 metre long swing bridge. It also includes some roads designed to be used only for racing purposes by the German architect Hermann Tilke. Tilke also designed the buildings used for the circuit.

History

The deal to host the Valencia race was signed on 1 June 2007. It will last for seven years. The deal was made with the Valmor Sport group. The official track layout was unveiled by Valencia councillor and transport minister, Mario Flores, on 19 July 2007. The track was first used in the last weekend of July 2008. The circuit hosted a round of the Spanish F3 Championship and International GT Open. It was first used for the European Grand Prix on 24 August 2008.

Layout

The track is 5.419 kilometres (3.367 mi) long and incorporates a total of 25 turns. There are 11 right-hand turns and 14 left-hand turns. It is estimated that the track has a top speed of around 323 kilometres per hour (201 mph). Valencia is not as tight as Circuit de Monaco. There are not very many places to pass. The straights not not very straight the track gets very dusty off line.

The circuit has been criticised by the drivers for its lack of overtaking opportunites. There have only been 4 recorded passes in the first race held in 2008, and no passes in 2009. There is little space in the circuit to make changes to improve passing.


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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Circuito urbano de Valencia para niños

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