He Circuit Ricardo Tormo de Cheste (Valencia), officially inaugurated on September 19, 1999 to celebrate the first Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, celebrating this Thursday the gala event for its twenty-fifth anniversary, a period in which it became a world reference for motorcycles.
The facility was established as the headquarters of the latter Grand Prix of the MotoGP season and the first pre-season test of the World Championship, but it has also established itself as a testing ground for other motorcycle and motorsport championships, as well as training, including Formula 1.
The creation of the circuit fulfills a historic request of Valencian fans. Since the seventies of the last 20th century and for many years the ‘bikers’ have mobilized to demand the construction of a facility. After considering several locations, the Generalitat decided in 1984, in agreement with the various actors involved, that it was in Chest.
After placing the first stone in ‘departure from Cambrillas‘, the project was paralyzed and the works did not start until 1997 to finish two years later.
In the course of work, on December 27, 1998, he died of leukemia Ricardo Tormowho was the first Valencian to become world champion in motorcycling, did so in 50cc, first in 1978 and then in 1981, and his name was given to the circuit in honor of the six-time Spanish champion.
The facility has undergone several renovations and improvements and in total now covers 1.3 million square meters, that is, 130 hectares. The circuit has 65,000 fixed seats where you can see the entire route but for the celebration of the Valencian Community Grand Prix The capacity was increased to 120,000 spectators.
The Circuit is a motor nerve center, because between events, training and different activities, it reaches 95% occupancy throughout the year. In addition to the World Cup MotoGPhosts the two most important Passenger Car tests, the FIA WTCC World Touring Car Championship and the German DTM Touring Car Championship.
It has also hosted Formula 3 and GT tests, the Spanish CEV Speed Championship and a race in the electric car world championship, Formula E, among many other events.
Throughout its history it has been awarded on various occasions as the best organization in the most important motor competition: six awards in Motorcycle World Championship (IRTA Best Grand Prix in 2003, 2004, 2006, two in 2020 and 2021), two in the organization of World Superbike Championship (2000 and 2006) and one for the best Truck Grand Prix in 2001.
Its design pays homage in its curves to great motoring references such as Jorge Martínez Aspar, Mick Doohan, Nico Terol, Angel Nieto, Champi Herreros, Adrián Campos or Jaume Masià, in addition to the young driver Bernat Martínez , who died in 2015.
Alonso’s Renault debut or Joan Mir’s World Cup
The Valencian track is the setting where the Asturian driver Fernando Alonsowhich is linked to the circuit for two years during its formation, premiered the Renault car where he became Formula 1 world champion in 2005 and where he was in 2006. It was also where he rode behind a Ferrari F1 for the first time in 2010.
Pilots are also trained at Cheste with the school ‘Cradle of Champions‘ on motorcycles, which were passed by Héctor Faubel, Sergio Gadea, Héctor Barberá, Nico Terol, Adrián Martín, Julián Miralles and Jorge Martín, among others, and the Karting ‘Champions Formula’ where Adrián Vallés, Félix and Porteiro , Borja García, Sergio Hernández, Marco Barba, Roberto Merhi or Álvaro Barba.
One of the greatest milestones as a Cheste training center is the victory in 2020 of the MotoGP world champion title of the Balearic Joan Mir.
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo Specialized Motor Sports Technology Center (CETDM) offers technical training and high performance programs to young Spanish drivers, as the only technical training center specialized in motor sports in Spain.
This program is supported by Higher Sports Council and the national and regional federations.
In addition, historical concerts were also held at the Circuit, such as Heroes of Silence on October 27, 2007, the last offered by the Aragonese band, oel Madonna on September 18, 2008.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
