Rio de Janeiro eyed as potential venue

Former grand prix venue Rio de Janeiro could play host to a future round of the new Superleague Formula if plans by the city's main football club Flamengo come to fruition

Simon Strang Sep 12, 2008, 10:08 PM

The circuit, which last hosted a Formula One race in 1989 and also staged a number of IndyCar races in the 1990s, could be renovated as part of a plan to help boost the local economy of the Brazilian city.

Ricardo Jorge Hinrichsen, Flamengo's managing director, says he has his sights set on reviving the city's Jacarepagua circuit for a possible Superleague Formula event.

"The track is currently in no condition to stage a Superleague Formula race," he stated. "I am going to contact the City Hall in order to rehabilitate the race track.

"A Superleague event in Rio de Janeiro would be very important to the city, not just in terms of image but also as a generation of financial resources."

The most recent incarnation of the Jacarepagua track was last used at international motorsport level for the Brazilian MotoGP race in 2004, but has recently been shortened to make way for facilities for the Pan-American Games.