Mendoza Autodromo

A permanent circuit opened on 31 March 1974 to replace the temporary Parque General San Martín circuit. Of the five configurations, only Circuito No 3 had been completed when a Formula 2 race for the European teams was held on 5 November 1978. The fast layout featured a cross-over and an abundance of fifth-gear corners although there were pre-race safety concerns that two fast corners in opposite directions were only separate by catch-fencing. The abrasive track surface and extreme heat caused high tyre wear which forced a third of the field to pit for new rubber. Marc Surer’s March 782-BMW led from start-to-finish with team-mate Teo Fabi second on debut. The Autódromo closed circa 2002 and lays dormant today.