Some of the fastest and most powerful cars in the world, like the Ferrari Berlinetta, Lamborghini Gallardo, and the Bugatti Veyron, are best enjoyed away from heavy city traffic or freeway jams. To revel in their magnificence, it is necessary to give free rein to their powerful engines, letting them run free like wild horses galloping at full speed. Luckily, there are international racetracks where people who love cars and speed can truly appreciate these advanced machines, where the only limits are the laws of physics and the skill of the driver.
Around the world, there are a variety of exclusive circuits and racing clubs, whose sole purpose is to please the owners of these cars. Here we introduce you to some of the most famous and exclusive racetracks in the world.
IN EUROPE
Club Ascari
Ronda, Spain
This circuit is located in the town of Ronda, province of Málaga, approximately an hour northwest of Marbella. The track has a total length of 5.4 km (3.6 miles) with a constant width of 12.2 meters (39 feet). It consists of 13 curves to the right and 13 to the left, with a good mix of wide and narrow angles. The track is surrounded by beautiful landscapes of green and wooded areas, and the atmosphere and facilities are truly luxurious. One of the strengths of the Ascari Club is the wide variety of services and activities offered. It organizes individual experiences as well as group and family activities – all with expert instructors. It has various types of vehicles available for its customers, including single-seaters with characteristics very similar to those of a Formula 1 car. The facility was designed to indulge the needs of motorcar enthusiasts.
Nürburgring
Nürbur, Germany
If there is a mythical circuit for car lovers, this is it. It is located near the village and medieval castle of Nürbur in the Eifel Mountains in Germany. Like a giant snake, the asphalt runs across green fields and thick groves, which together with the high difficulty of the route has earned it the nickname of “green hell circuit.” It boasts a total length of 28.3 kilometers (18 miles) and is quite narrow and lined with metal barriers. Nürburgring is considered one of the most challenging tracks in the world, definitely not suitable for beginners. The number of crashes and fatalities every year is not surprising given the stressful conditions of the circuit. At the end of the 1970s, it stopped hosting the Grand Prix of Formula 1 and now serves as a test track for production and racing cars; however, any amateur driver can pay to use it.
IN THE UNITED STATES
Monticello Motor Club
Monticello, New York
There are many words that could define this American car club, but undeniably one of them is exclusivity. It is only a two-hour drive from Manhattan, so it has become a meeting place for Wall Street brokers and television celebrities who enjoy sports driving. The path stretches 6.6 km (4.1 miles) on a hilly ground, which means constant climbs and descents. Of the total distance, 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) are straights where it is possible to reach speeds approaching 300 km/h (190 mph). These are some of the longest straights in North America. The track can be configured to create three independent courses that can be enjoyed simultaneously. Club members and their guests have access to private storage facilities with temperature control, full mechanical services, large rooms overlooking the circuit, classrooms, dining rooms, bars, kitchens, dressing rooms with private showers, shops, special areas for children and family activities, a clubhouse and even a heliport.
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch
Pahrump, Nevada
Just an hour from Las Vegas there is an automobile club that likes to pamper its members not only with a fun racing circuit but also with luxurious amenities worthy of a resort. The track has a length of 6.4 km (4.1 miles) specially designed to train the club’s pilots. This track provides a variety of challenges to the drivers and at the same time, it is very flexible because it can be turned into up to 20 different courses. Spring Mountain offers several professional and entry-level driving classes, both for people who want to improve their driving techniques with a professional racing instructor or those who just want to enjoy the experience of driving the fastest sports cars in the world. ■
