The Symphony Hall of the Tenerife Auditorium was filled with 900 peoplemost of them athletes and fans, in an “exciting” act, the start of the future Tenerife Motor Circuit, which will be located in Atogo (Passion fruit). The journalist Antonio Lobato – up to a hundred media outlets were accredited – was the master of ceremonies of a sober show, in a dialogue format, where the characteristics and the historical process of the long-awaited infrastructure were explained over thirty years. The biggest ovations went to Carlos Sainz, Ferrari driver.
Tenerife Motor Circuit started and did so with the massive support of some fans of this world who have been waiting for the installation for three decades between unfulfilled promises. This time it seems that it is true or at least that is the firm commitment of the Cabildo. Its president, Pedro Martín, and Enrique Arriaga, vice president, both defenders of the infrastructure, presided over the event in an Auditorium in Tenerife whose Symphony Hall was filled. The journalist and expert in Formula 1, Antonio Lobato smugly led the hour and a quarter of the event with the intervention of the pilots Carlos Sainz junior, cheered at every moment, the motorcyclist Carlos Checa and the Italian-Tenerife Christine Giampaoli Zonca (GZ).
Pedro Martín, president of the Cabildo, values: “This is not an occurrence, but to fulfill a commitment and an electoral promise, in addition to responding to more than thirty years of waiting for the infrastructure of the many motor fans on the Island.” He adds: “I understand the reticence but this time it is closer than ever.” He assures that “I prefer to say when the shovels will enter than when there will be races.” He insists: “There are those who oppose it and they are within their rights, but we are the vast majority. We need the support of the people, so they don’t leave us alone with the idea.” He believes that “we are on the way to bidding and starting the works.” He points out that «there is no turning back, how can we not move forward with this presentation. If he doesn’t go out, I don’t go out on the street.
Between car simulators, models of the installation and a banner with a clear slogan, “Yes to the Circuit”, at the entrance to the Auditorium, the Vice President of the Cabildo, Enrique Arriaga, underlines: “We are in the process and this time is the most serious in which the circuit is faced. We have the item in the budget and it is only a matter of time. If there are judicial resources, they will be resolved.
An ideal setting.
A stage with a car, two motorcycles and three chairs. In the background a large screen with Tenerife in large letters and in smaller characters Motor Circuit. The noise of a racing vehicle and the virtual tour of the southern track in a simulator give way to the phrase Ready to go and then Antonio Lobato appears, the master of ceremonies. The Asturian journalist demonstrated his tables and knowledge of the world to which he has dedicated 15 years of profession, especially as a narrator. “This dream is about to come true,” he values. He takes the audience when he talks about Teide or the island’s landscapes and asks, do they also want a circuit? He also has complicity with the guests before whose arrival a small presentation video is played. With the Canarian Christine GZ, Extreme pilot, who expresses her enthusiasm for running the Dakar and that tomorrow (for today) she leaves to compete in Baja Aragón despite the heatwave. The public is delivered despite the 25-minute delay at the start. Even more so with the presence of the motorcycle rider Carlos Checa who confesses that «I have known the Island pedaling». Lobato remembers his past as a passionate motorcyclist who went to the World Cup. His idol “was number 7”; I mean Czech. The pilot breaks down the technical details of the Tenerife Circuit that he considers “first level”. He remembers the rollover he suffered this year in the Dakar competing on four wheels and not two. He does not rule out future Moto GP competitions on the circuit.
Ferrari driver.
Carlos Sainz junior, Ferrari driver, legendary motor racing team, received the biggest ovations. He was loose, affectionate and close. He recalled in reference to his father «who has helped me a lot» what he wants «Tenerife and the Canary Islands». He assures that he did not think about it, he took a plane and came to support the circuit. He showed enormous complicity with Lobato who introduced him like this: “I’m going to interview a friend.” Some “handsome” were heard from the audience. The pilot valued the figure of the race marshals who “watch over our lives” and recalled a recent accident. With humor – he highlighted the imitation of the Mexican pilot Checo Pérez – and very serene, he felt comfortable. The politicians, Enrique Arriaga and Pedro Martín, in this order completed the cast. Both defended the idea, remembered the story and showed their hope that this time it would be a reality.
Lots of people outside.
The exteriors of the Auditorium welcomed numerous people during the more than two hours that the act lasted, prolegomena included. Also to parked two and four wheel vehicles. Most of those present support the circuit, although almost 200 people from environmental movements spoke out against the project. The concentration was convened by eight associations of the Island in the midst of a police device to avoid incidents since numerous pro-circuit motor fans also gathered. The opponents were transferred to the other side of the Maritime Avenue, in the surroundings of the Hermitage of Regla. On the opposite side, many motor fans defended the idea by shouting “Circuit yes”. Both before and during the act, the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, addressed these people with the word “respect” for their opinions, but he also asked for the same respect for athletes and fans who have been waiting thirty years for the circuit.
Tourism and social impact.
Throughout the event, the participants stressed that the Motor Circuit also means that yesterday’s final photo with authorities, guests and children from the motor quarry is an image to remember with something that, as Lobato said, «can be very big. Dream, clench your fists and in no time Tenerife Motor Circuit will be a reality.
Eight steps towards the future of the South
An attraction for Tenerife in the sense of offering new economic opportunities. At the same time, it will be “very positive” for the destination’s image and publicity. From the business sphere, for example, the administration is encouraged “to continue working to make it a reality in the planned times.” Another idea: the Circuit would place the island on the national and international map of this type of infrastructure, highly demanded by motorsport fans. In addition to diversifying the offer for visitors, which is another attraction, while opening the new market for a highly developed activity in the Canary Islands that does not have specific spaces. Pedro Martín made it clear in this sense that we must try to flee only from the sun and the beach and this type of alternative can be very important. He announced that the General Directorate of Roads is already advancing on the road that should link the Circuit with the Tenerife Sur Airport
There is a long way to go. More than five years of works planned at a cost of 51 million euros. But the Circle of Entrepreneurs and Professionals of the South of Tenerife (CEST) defends “the potential of the Motor Circuit to generate economy and create jobs on the Island”. The president of the CEST, Roberto Ucelay, values that the project will mean “a new attraction that will generate new economic opportunities.” This infrastructure is one of the proposals included in the document
