In 1962 the Mexican Automobile Club invited some GP drivers to participate in a Formula One race on the circuit at Mexico City. This year, with FIA approval, the race counts in the World Championship series and therefore attracted a big entry.
The circuit is situated in a 600-acre sports arena which consists of 48 football pitches, 55 baseball grounds, 100 basket-ball pitches four Olympic-size swimming pools, innumerable changing and locker rooms, children’s playgrounds, and the 5-kilometre race track. The area in which the track is built is perfectly flat, as is all Mexico City, this area being a dried-up lake bed. The land belonged to an Indian tribe and when it was confiscated the Indians were promised that their sacred burial ground would not be built on. So, behind the pits is a walled-off area in which there can be seen many weird grave markers.
One of the most impressive things at this circuit are the pits. Without a doubt, they are the best in the world for Grand Prix racing. Each pit garage is 30ft long by 15ft wide: At one end is the pit counter with a drop-down lockable flap; at the other end strong wire mesh doors, which can be locked. Right down one wall there is a long work bench with power points: At the entrance is a compressed air line and a water tap.
