Speed in Jerez

Jerez Racetrack had to commission work to adapt to the new international rules set by automobile and motorcycle racing federations. This was done by changing the site and positioning of the starting straight and the placement of pits, the paddock and the control building. To do so, it was necessary first to demolish the old pits, hospital and control building. This had a direct impact on the development work on the paddock and the pit lane.

The job was done in the following work units:

• Pedestrian underpass
• Pedestrian footbridge
• Paddock
• Culverting of a stream
• Work on the track
• Pit lane
• New stadium seating
• Pit building
• Control building
• "UFO" building
• Health building
• Outdoor facilities

Chronologically, works execution can be divided into four phases:

Improvement of the track, crossing pipes, pedestrian underpass, reinforcement and repaving

The initially designed reinforcement was modified to include a first layer of polyester GeoMesh to prevent underlying deep-seated fissures from coming through to the surface. The driving surface was changed at the same time, laying an F-10 mixture with modified bitumen that will be better than the D-12 originally called for. The new mixture is especially indicated for high-speed tracks subjected to extreme strain due to skidding and braking. The formula used has performed fully satisfactory so far.


In this phase all the new track crossings were put in and tunnels were built for ductwork and services. Some of the modifications and enlargements of the safety zones involved the addition of gravel, modifying the drainage and setting the safety barrier and protective devices back farther away from the track. The track was painted and other minor work was done. The box of the pedestrian underpass under the track at the starting straight was also built. Immediately after the track work was completed, the owners decided to resume the racetrack's normal activity.

Demolition work, pit foundations, control building and hospital

Due to the racetrack's scheduling commitments, demolition of the existing buildings could only be started in October 2001. That was the point of no return, because by May 2002 all the vital facilities that were due to be demolished had to be completely rebuilt: the pits, the control building, the hospital, the pit lane and facilities, infrastructure and paddock development.

All-holds-out works execution to prepare for the Grand Prix (May 2002)

Each activity was supervised with a detailed works plan that was tracked and updated daily. In the end more than 95% of the planned jobs were completed on time, so that the finishing work done by the time of the Jerez Grand Prix was very superior to what had been anticipated and far above the minimum competition requirements.

Termination and outstanding jobs

The work that remained pending after the Motorcycle Grand Prix was done between autumn 2002 and late April 2003. This work consisted fundamentally in completing outer wall surfaces, finishing up the indoor work on the UFO building and other minor work.