Racetrack 

4.2 km FIA Category 2 Racing Circuit

It is widely acknowledged that technological advances in aerodynamics and electronic on-board equipment have made overtaking less common in motorsport in recent years. It is therefore necessary when designing a modern circuit to minimise effects of these technical advances to increase overtaking through driver commitment and skill. There are certain key ingredients that can be added to the design of a modern circuit to facilitate this, such as camber and grade change at key points to increase or decrease grip as required to encourage overtaking and combative racing.

Another important aspect when designing a modern track is to add excitement and challenge without compromising safety. All the proposed runoff areas for the Iceland MotoPark are asphalt and recent data collected by the FIA shows a reduction in retirements and accidents on circuits using asphalt run-off compared to those using gravel beds; there is the option for a driver to regain control.

The design of the circuit in Iceland has evolved to create a unique destination using input from drivers, journalists, race team members, event specialists, and feedback on a previous project in Dubai. Particular corner sequences include variations on the Craner Curves at Donington suggested by Andrew Van De Burgt (Editor, Autosport), ‘A career defining corner’ where you can test a drivers commitment and bravery within the context of a safe environment was one of the ideas put forward by Chris Harris (freelance journalist, writer-at-large for Autocar), and Sam Collins (Deputy Editor, Racecar Engineering) was keen to

get a classic sequence from the Nurburgring Nordschleife somewhere into the design. The resulting design reflects these ideas with those of Clive Bowen, the principal circuit designer on the project, along with his desire to create a safe, fast, exciting circuit, with some rewarding overtaking opportunities.

Further input will be brought in for the detailed design stage from the likes of Stefan Johansson (former F1 driver and current Le Mans, ALMS, GT, GrandAm racer), a Swede who now lives in the USA, and Viktor Jensen, the 19 year old son of internationally renowned DJ David ‘Kid’ Jensen, whose mother is Icelandic. Jensen is a proven Formula Palmer Audi race winner and is now racing in British F3, and Brit Ralph Firman; A1GP, F3, F3000 and sports car driver.

In the first phase of the project the Club circuit, basic pit and paddock facilities and the infrastructure linking the pit and paddock to the development will be built. The cost of this initial phase will be less than or equal to the revenue generated from the equivalent phase of development elsewhere on the site.

2.1 km FIA Category 3 Club Circuit

As a club circuit, the 2.1km, 7 corner facility will be ideal; it provides two overtaking opportunities, a decent main straight, grade and camber change with complex corner radii to challenge all drivers.

With an FIA Category 3 licence, the Club circuit would permit use by Formula 3 single seat race categories and below, Touring Cars and other ‘junior categories, as well as serving as an ideal corporate, private and road safety training facility.

2.2 km Secondary Race Circuit

Though scheduled to be built during the final phases of the motorsport development, the Secondary circuit provides the opportunity to complete the full 4.2km circuit as described earlier and on its own offers versatile and varied use for the Icelandic motorsport and commercial community.

The eight-corner Secondary circuit contains some of the most exciting sequences proposed for the overall circuit, with the greatest gradient change permitted by the presence of a natural ridge leading from the NE to SW on the western extent of the circuit. These grade changes will give the Secondary circuit a fundamentally different character to the Club circuit, thereby ensuring the objective of offering ‘3 for the price of 1’ in terms of interest from users and competitors, Club; Secondary and Full.

• The track is located next to the main entertainment/retail node for the site allowing key elements from both to complement one another

• The land in the area for the pit & paddock is relatively level allowing for reduced ground enabling works

• The remaining land for the circuit offers good natural topography to make the circuit interesting from a spectator’s and driver’s perspective

• The circuit is located as far away as possible from the old town of Keflavik minimising