Marrakesh_Street_Circuit

Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan

Motorsport venue in Morocco


The Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan (also known as Marrakech Street Circuit and Marrakech Racetrack) is a 2.971 km (1.846 mi) temporary street circuit in Agdal district, Marrakech, Morocco.[1] The circuit is operated by MGP.[2] It has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.

Quick Facts Location, Time zone ...

History

MGP's partner in Morocco, D3 Motorsport Development, was given the responsibility of the design of the street circuit. It is the same architect company that designed the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit in Australia.[3] Groupe Menara oversaw the construction on the Route de l'Ourika/Boulevard Mohammed based track.[2] The paddock had been paved alongside the walls of the Royal Garden and more than 2,500 concrete impact blocks and many debris fence panels had been put in place to bound the track.[1]

The third round of the 2009 WTCC season was held there on 3 May 2009, becoming the first international car race in Morocco since the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix at the Ain-Diab Circuit in Casablanca and the first event for the WTCC in Africa.[4]

The original circuit had a very simple layout. It was a 4.545 km (2.824 mi) flat oval circuit with a hairpin at one end and chicanes punctuating the straights, running in an anticlockwise direction.[3] In December 2015, it was announced the circuit would undergo a major overhaul to make it more challenging. Only half of the original circuit was utilized when the new layout came into effect for the 2016 FIA WTCC Race of Morocco.[5]

Events

Current
Former

Lap Records

As of January 2019, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan are listed as:

Results

Formula E

WTCR

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WTCC

AutoGP

More information Year, Race ...

Future Developments

Formula 1, recognized globally as the pinnacle of automotive racing sports, is exploring new horizons, potentially including Morocco in its high-speed saga. Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula 1 Group, has revealed ongoing discussions to host a Grand Prix event in Africa, pinpointing North Africa and South Africa, alongside considerations for two countries in the Far East. Morocco emerges as a frontrunner in this expansion strategy, given its historical ties to Formula 1 and its fusion of rich cultural heritage with captivating urban landscapes. This move marks a significant step in Formula 1's global outreach, promising to blend the thrill of racing with Morocco's scenic beauty and cultural depth.

Notes

  1. Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan's Grade 2 license expired on 28 February 2023.

References

  1. "NEXT STOP: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO". fiawtcc.com. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  2. "Marrackech Racetack Unveiled". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Retrieved 23 November 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Marrackech Morocco". formulatwo.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  4. "Marrackech GP Joins 2009 WTCC Calendar". fiawtcc.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 14 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  5. "2013 Marrakech Auto GP - Round 3". 6 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. "WTCC 2012 » Circuit Moulay el Hassan Round 5 Results". 15 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2023.

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