Not sure where I should put this post, so mods please forgive me and move it to the most appropriate location. Just finished watching my Christmas Jeremy Clarkson video, much of which was filmed at what looks to be a pretty superb circuit which I had never seen before, obviously in Spain. It turned out to be this place: www.ascari.net It is near Ronda, Malaga. Although southern Spain is a fair distance from me it looks as if it would be worth the trip with my M3. I wondered if anybody on here has been there, and if it is as good as it looks?
Hi Gary: Been there with Pasionporsche bunch a year ago. It's simply AMAZING, with corners taken from the most famous circuits in the world. The security checks before entering are thourough to say the least... They should be heading there this year again, I'll keep you posted if you want. Here's a link to their report, press the "Seguiente" on the bottom left corner for the next page: http://www.pasionporsche.com/newsite/indice-racing/indice-racing-2006/track-day-circuito-ascari.html
We had fun in Ascari , eh Kiko Ascari, in my opinion, only has fame. It's a nice circuit obviously, but its track security isn't the best one and there are other circuits better. Also the price is as Montmelo level and maybe looks unfinished in the paddock zone. There are so many circuits in construction in Spain(Alonso's fever) like Alcarras in Lleida(more for bikes), Los Arcos in Navarra, Ciudad del motor in Zaragoza, the proyect in Tineo-Asturias, the proyect in Zamora, and the semi-finished Monteblanco in Huelva (Kiko had been there). 2009 will be a fun year For me the best circuits in Spain are Cheste and Albacete.
Arturo, Ascari is really beautiful and nearly 100% sunny but also expensive and in high demand ... Cheste (Valencia) and Albacete are nice enjoyable tracks with decent modern infrastructure but I believe both are far behind Jarama in driver enjoyment for our ////M3 ... that is if you like a wide variety of turns: Blind, off-camber, up-hill and down-hill. In fact, most new tracks in construction and already open in Spain have pretty much flat layouts except Jarama: http://www.jarama.org/GENERAL/DATOS INTERES/CARTEL accesos 2006.pdf Montmelo does not really count because as a F1 track design there are very few real turns for a street/trackday car ... you need to drive at least an F3 to make it a challenge. Out of the tracks I have driven with the ////M3, the only one that is even more challenging & fun that Jarama is Pau-Arnos in southern France which we will visit soon again this year: http://www.circuit-pau-arnos.com/English/indexcircuit.htm There is a 50m altitude difference between the highest and lowest point of the track and a beautiful downward right turn that by itself 40m drop ... It is even more interesting in the rain which is the most common scenerio. IMO It could be a great choice to gather up a European track day for the ////M3s.
do you think there would be some interest for us "northerners" to go down there and have a meet? Could be fun in early spring or late fall. do any of these tracks offer rental race cars? John
Ascari does and so as Braga. For Ascari check their wesite for information but the cost will be very high although the cars are more exotic (325TI and Radical). As for Braga I can arrange one-to-one tuition with high-end race car drivers and up to 5 race cars (Toyota Corola T-Sport full race cars) and we can do our very own non-official private race in the end of the day. You cannot find this ANYWHERE in Europe. The price is 1700€ per car for a full day with tuiton and 1 or 2 races in the end of the day, petrol, tyres, track rental, mechanical assistance the whole lot.
I would love to hit this track but it's out of my range. Is there Karting at Valencia that is available to the general public? I will be back at Rota this weekend. I want to get out and do some other things besides skiing and hanging out in the pubs.
The closest track to Rota is Jerez which is a great layout but right now is their High season with most of the European teams preparing for the 2008 season (F1, GP2, GT, MotoGP, etc ...) but there is a Track day event on Sunday February 24th: http://www.circuitodejerez.com/en/home.htm Hope it helps. Manuel
Hello John, There are quite a few open options in Spain for early spring or late fall: Jarama (Madrid) , Albacete, Cheste (Valencia), Guadix (Granada), Ascari (Ronda), and the new tracks in Monteblanco (Huelva) and Zaragoza. Most of these will be a very long distance for you. Closer to you there are a few great options in Southern France such as Pau-Arnos or Nogaro which I am sure have race car rentals available. We just need to set a date and work within the schedules of all the tracks available. Let me know your preference and we can narrow down the options. Manuel
Hello Francisco, Braga seems really enticing ... especially the private race part at the end of the day ... but I really would love to take the M3 there. We need to set a date because we have sufficient cars to book the track for a BMW M event. Can you send me a short list of open dates so we can choose one and work from there?. Thank you. Manuel
I've already contacted them but I'd need to know how many cars would be (apprx.) to decide if it's better to rent the track individually (by car) or exclusively (just for yourselves with no other cars on the track and no limit of cars). The track fees are: Week days: 330€+vat (per day/car) 200€+vat (per 1/2 day/car) 3300€+vat for exclusive use of track up to 25 cars aprox Weekends 700€+vat (per day/car) 440€+vat (per 1/2 day/car) 5600€+vat for exclusive use of track up to 25 cars aprox As you can see a Friday for instance would dramatically reduce prices to half. The bookings for 2008 are coming in everyday so the manager told me to to choose a certain period (like within 2 months) and then he provides de days still available.
Hello Francisco, We are going to book Albacete for Monday May 12th or 26th full day 1/2 hour open pit lane for about 170€. The usual "Pasion Porsche" group will likely join for alternating sessions as well as a full group of the Club BMW M. Possible about 25 - 30 cars altogether max. Regarding Braga ... I can see that weekdays are obviously cheaper but realisticly we would take a Saturday due to the distance for most of us. I can probably gather up between 7 & 10 cars easy but given a particular date to allow eveyone to make plans. I will let you know the time window because I am O.K. with March or April but I do not know if everyone else is. Thank you. Manuel
I've just sent you a PM regarding some details. BMW specialists assistance can be arranged at a reasonable price and it's highly recommended if you guys intend to use the cars 101%. Call me on +351 932746149 if you need me.
Well I'll be in Spain for the better part of next week and then 22-2 March. I'll head over to hang out anyway. Cheaper than drinking at the pubs.
I´ll most likely go to the Ascari track this spring - hopefully I can drive the M3 there. A guy I know has a Radical there and also a spanking new 599.
I have been there ,, 4 times on the track,, Well the Nürburgring is great,, but Ascari is absolute the greatest place on earth IMO,, one negative point,, for us the regular people ,,, €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ I have a lot of pictures from there.. if you are interrested and as Thordur mentioned about our friend who have a 599 (( i drove the 599 with him from NOVITEC in Germay to Spain )) + a bandnew SR 15 RADICAL,, had a SR 13 but bought this SR 15 this summer .. I drove his SR 13 and that was the best RADICAL i have driven,, stunning perfomance
