Autódromo Internacional de Guaporé

History

The history of Guaporé's race track begins with the arrival of Dr. Nelson Luiz Barro, a doctor from Caxias do Sul whose carrier made him move to the city of Dois Lajeados and, in 1967, to Guaporé. In his spare time, Barro raced a Simca Chambord (# 64) and eventually became State Champion.

Establishment of AGA and first circuit

Barro manageded to entice many young people with his passion for racing and, on 1 September 1969, they founded the Guaporense Racing Association (AGA - Associação Guaporense de Automobilismo), a group still responsible for maintaining the site. The newly formed group went looking for a place to build a race track and found the city's then-aerodrome, closed off by the aviation authority at the time. Supported by mayor Otolip Dalbosco, they built a circuit around the aerodrome's two runways, which were perpendicular to each other, thus the peculiar "T" shape of the track, still noticeable today.

The first circuit, made of oil-impregnated dirt, was completed in only 3 years and, on 21 December 1969, it was inaugurated with a race involving 72 cars from all over the state and with the supervision and approval of the state's racing authority. The event's success brought great attention to AGA's work, setting the cornerstone to future developments.

Asphalt circuit and growth

With the success came the goal of giving the racetrack a more definitive shape through the application of a layer of asphalt concrete over a better designed circuit, the construction of the pit lane, garages and all the infrastructure necessary for larger events. The association not only managed to get support from the City, State and Federal Governments but also from neighbouring cities, several private businesses and even the Army.

After much work, on 17 October 1976, the Guaporé Municipal Raceway was completed with its tarmac track. The celebration coincided with the 5th Race of the 1976 Brazilian Formula Ford Championship. The first international event took place on 17 November 1985 on the occasion of the 10th Race of South American Formula Three Championship.

New challenges

Over the past decades, the main event hosted by the Autódromo de Guaporé has been the annual race in the Fórmula Truck Championship, with great attendances by people from all over the country. Despite being AGA's main source of income, Fórmula Truck, allied with insufficient maintenance, resulted in the severe degradation of the asphalt layer, compromising safety conditions and impeding larger events such as Stock Car Brasil from taking place. Even the drag races that used to draw younger enthusiasts in large numbers were reduced due to irregularities in the main straight that forced contestants to race an eight of a mile, instead of the usual quarter mile.

In late 2010, after a long and difficult process of searching for support, AGA finally managed to execute de long-awaited replacement of the asphalt layer, rejuvenating the circuit and allowing the eventual return of greater importance championships. They still have great challenges to face such as the restoration and upgrade of the pit lane area, improvement of the tracks safety features and visitor infrastructure. The delay to finish such works and the many new race tracks being built in the state, including the very modern Velopark near the state capital, allied to the city's limited capacity for receiving tourists, make the task of bringing back the great national races a very challenging one.

Facilities

The auxiliary facilities to the Vitacir Paludo Circuit include 40 pit lane garages, with large nearby off-loading ramps, a refuelling station, tyre repair facilities and a VIP area above the pit lane. The judges' tower also has a press room, sign-up area, administration office and judges' room, all big enough to host medium-sized events. There are two restaurants and a two-floor bathroom that can be used by teams and VIP guests.

The medical office is located on a separate building next to the pit lane exit and has a terrace that allows clear view of all the track. The permanent equipment is minimal and limited, but all races are held with the presence of Mobile ICUs. Access to the internal area is through a tunnel that crosses the track near the tunnel corner, thus the name.

The track itself is characterized by the accentuated banking of the corners, many of which bank more than 10°. The main straight is about 800 m long and 17 m wide. These traits make the circuit a very fast one, worsening still the safety shortcomings of the track, that lacks sufficient containment barriers and escape areas in many corners. AGA plans to address such concerns over the next stages in the remodelling efforts, now that the track surface problem has been dealt with, after consulting with specialists to find viable solutions considering the space concerns in most problem sites.

Spectators most commonly settle themselves on the hill side that borders the so-called Radiator Corner, where many camp during the events and watch the races while using the barbecue grills available on-site and the facilities of the Radiator Cabin, the restaurant established on the top of the hill. When more space is needed, bleachers are erected on the outer sides of corner 2 and the main straight, both places provide excellent view of the track.