Villicum is big and wide , and with a huge grandstand above the pit boxes dominating the circuit itself
EXCITING CONTENT the Circuito San Juan Villicum , first used by the WorldSBK series in 2018 . San Juan is motorsports country , and it wanted its own new track to be special . And no , your memory is not deceiving you , there was already a very modern MotoGP™-level circuit in Argentina - Termas de Rio Hondo - but in such a big country as Argentina , that is located very far away from Villicum . Of the many things that make the Villicum track special is its physical location . As it is so far west in Argentina the backdrop to the track is the Sierra Villicum mountain range , a kind of foothill starting point for the Andes . Compared to most mountain ranges in Europe , still quite spectacular . They feel so close , on a clear day you dream you could just reach out and touch them . The Andes are shared between Argentina and Chile , and if you are lucky enough to be there , and the Chileans are also allowed to be there , look out for the Chilean number-plates on some of the bikes in the parking areas . It is Argentina ’ s race , but as the only one in South America it is also the WorldSBK race for one entire continent . The track location itself , just north of San Juan , means it sits in a hollow in the high desert floor , sculpted out of the sandy , rocky earth . Usually it is nice and warm , but one night the rains came on so heavy the pit-garages got flooded and the passing storm wreaked havoc on the roads system for a time . No matter what the best plans of men are , mother nature is always in charge . The primary advantage of this plot of land the track is built on is that it allows for a rise and fall in the elevation of the main start / finish straight , giving a unique triple layered effect towards the first turn entry . That whole first section is challenging , as it feeds into a tight Turn One , then a hard right at Turn Two and starts to weave and meander all the way to the start of the back-straight at the exit of Turn Seven . The back straight is much longer than the 550 meter long start / finish straight - probably double the length . Villicum is big and wide , and with a huge grandstand above the pit boxes dominating the circuit itself , it is both typically modern in its safety and access roads , but also full of local character and feel . The final corner onto the start / finish straight is actually a long chicane after a double left , offering another unique design feature to the many featured at the circuit . There is one truly Argentinian touch that the new track , finished just before WorldSBK got there in 2018 , and that is barbecue stations even for the privateer areas on the edges of the paddock . Yes , most modern tracks give you water and power in your own race weekend racing spot but at Villicum ? A concrete raised barbecue , with inbuilt metal grill bars right next to all the other modern conveniences . Enter Villicum , at any time of the day or night and even though you may not
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