Following setbacks last season due to travel warnings in place by the Spanish Government, the proposed Grand Prix of Argentina at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit did not occur.
The circuit was once again placed on the 2014 MotoGP calendar, but was awaiting official homologation for MotoGP (homologation is the track approval process undertaken by the FIM and their associated committees). And on Thursday, representatives of the FIM and Dorna Sports, the rights holder of MotoGP, confirmed the circuit’s homolgation.
Termas de Rio Hondo will now officially host round three of 2014 MotoGP April 25-27. This will mark MotoGP’s first return to Argentina since 1999, the year racing took place at the Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez in Buenos Aires.
Upon inspection this week by Franco Uncini, FIM Safety Officer and Javier Alonso, Managing Director of the Events Area at Dorna, a press conference was held in the grounds of the circuit confirming that the green light had been given. The presentation was also attended by Elias Miguel Suarez, head of the government cabinet in the Province of Santiago del Estero, and Ricardo Sosa, Assistant Secretary for Tourism, MotoGP reports.
With the circuit now fully homologated, those working at the venue will continue to finish work on the pit lane area and other infrastructure necessary ahead of the April race, MotoGP says.
Hector Farina (Owner of Autodromo de Las Termas) says “we have been working very hard to take care of every detail with the circuit, also for all of the public who will be coming to this event.
“The latest changes we have witnessed are incredible and spectacular and it will be a pleasure to witness the best bikes and riders in the world competing here,” Javier Alonso adds, pointing out that both the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit and the Province of Santiago del Estero will become benchmarks for such sporting events.
Having inspected the circuit personally, Franco Uncini (previously the 500 World Champion of 1982) adds “It is very fast, has a very special layout in terms of speed and will be very attractive to the riders. With such features, the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo is unique worldwide.”