Location | Potrero de los Funes-San Luis, Argentina |
---|---|
Time zone | GMT -3 |
Major events |
FIA GT TC2000 |
Length | 6.270 km (3.896 mi) |
Turns | 22 |
Lap record | 2:13.236 (105.274mph average) (Marcel Fässler, Phoenix Racing (Corvette C6.R), November 22, 2008) |
The Lago Potrero de los Funes circuit is a race track originally constructed in 1987, and rebuilt in 2008. It is located 14 km (8.7 mi) from San Luis, capital city of the San Luis Province, Argentina. The circuit is semi-permanent, with a length of 6.27 km (3.90 mi). It was created by modifying the ring road that encircles Lake Potrero de los Funes, at the course's center.
The circuit has received very high praise from the drivers for its substantial undulations and numerous high speed corners and bends, which provide a great driving challenge.
The track's layout has changed slightly from its original layout. It appears that the curve prior to where the pits are now was tightened to create a more pronounced corner ahead of the pits, and perhaps to reduce speeds on the racing line going past the new pit exit. On the opposite side of the lake, where start/finish used to be located, a chicane has been added at the first high speed bend along that stretch. Also, on the initial descending run along the lake, there has been another chicane added to reduce speeds into the following corner that has limited run-off. Therefore, the original course had slightly shorter length of 6.186 km (3.844 mi).
According to Damian Vega's account, a meet was held at this circuit on August 15, 1987. The main event was a Turismo Carretera race. During one of the heat races, a crash occurred that resulted in the deaths of two spectators. In the feature race, there was another crash, but the driver survived, though he may have been injured. This was the circuit's only meeting until the FIA GT weekend was held in November 2008.
On the track's reopening, two major events were hosted in November 2008. A race weekend was shared by the Argentinian TC 2000 as well as the international FIA GT Championship. José María López won the TC 2000 event, while Bert Longin and Anthony Kumpen won the San Luis 2 Hours in their Saleen S7R.
Coordinates: 33°13′30″S 66°14′20″W / 33.22500°S 66.23889°W