DECEMBER 28, 2001

Another European oval

THE derelict oval circuit at Sitges-Terramar in Catalunya is preparing for restoration for a limited amount of historic events each year, to be renamed as the Motor Sport Resort.

As Grand Prix racing took off after World War 1, the circuit was proposed in 1922 by local racing hero Frick Armangue and designed by architect Jaume Mestres - just 300 days later the oval opened at a cost of 4,000,000 pesetas, the inauguration coming on the day of its first race, the 1923 Spanish Grand Prix.

The race was over 200 laps and the crowds were thrilled by a memorable battle between the Miller 122 driven by Count Louis Zborowski and Alberto Divo's Sunbeam. It was to be the only race at the oval, however, as the planners ran out of funding and it has lain dormant ever since.