Deep in the mysterious mountains of beautiful South America lies the historic circuit Autódromo Las Vizcachas; a true Chilean motorsport icon.
The Autódromo Las Vizcachas circuit is located in the region of Puente Alto in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile. It was opened back in 1965 and was in operation for just over 41 years. Sadly, in 2006, the circuit was shut down to give way to a real estate project that overlooked the circuit.
This was not the end of the track, however. Chilean Motorsport fanatics were able to open the track once more in 2012, however, a few weeks before the event was due to take place the local motor club retracted the agreement citing the noise restrictions and damage to the track caused by an earlier machinery festival held on the site. The circuit operates as a track day and instruction day host under strict noise limits and curfews.
Autódromo Las Vizcachas - Chile. Image: leomaldonadoh
In the aftermath, Kovacs – a former Chilean national champion – was unfairly blamed and criticised in the media as being responsible for the catastrophe. This tragedy was the beginning of the end for the ex-champion with him eventually stepping back from racing altogether. The circuit closed for the 1976 season whilst retaining walls were built and many other safety additions were combined with the original layout.
Racing settled back to normality, but unfortunately, another tragedy was to take place at the circuit almost exactly a decade later at the same section of the main straight. On September 26, 1987, Formula 3 national champion Sergio Santander was making his way back through the undergrowth after an early spin on oil when he blindly collided with competitor Gonzalo Alcalde on the main straight.
Drone shot of the circuit in Assetto Corsa. Image: Las Vizcachas Circuit
The two cars locked wheels and speared off the course into the new retaining wall, the same wall that was built after the first major crash back in 1975. The impact was monumental, shaking the very foundations of the circuit control tower that had been constructed behind the new barrier. After a 35-minute battle to free Santander from the wreckage, the Chilean driver was transported to hospital by helicopter but succumbed to his injuries whilst in the back of the ambulance.
Classic Formula 3 car sideways
The circuit is fantastic to drive in its short variant. The tarmac is brilliantly simulated with consistent feedback and bumps simulated. The track surroundings are good, but there are sections of the ground that are very low resolution as you can see in the background of the photo above.
Throughout testing, 1980s Formula 3 cars were used as well as the Metalex MTX1-06 from creators oliverpopple and jurik1984. These cars are fantastic for this short circuit. Whilst the mods are supposed to be European-based, they work flawlessly with Las Vizcachas and some close and riveting racing is easily attainable.
The TGM Supertourismo cars are also a great choice of continentally local machinery for a more modern experience. These fantastic cars have been reviewed already here on OverTake, so make sure to check that piece out if you're interested in these crazy hot hatches.
Supertourismo VW Golf and Audi A1's.
Overall, the circuit is a fantastic self-made circuit that brings a sprint-like track from South America to Assetto Corsa. Mods like this are the reason that this sim is still so popular amongst sim racers and mod creators. Make sure to check out the creator Leomaldonadoh here on OverTake and leave the circuit a review!
Have you ever visited Autódromo Las Vizcachas? Let us know what you think about the circuit down in the comments below!
The Autódromo Las Vizcachas circuit is located in the region of Puente Alto in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile. It was opened back in 1965 and was in operation for just over 41 years. Sadly, in 2006, the circuit was shut down to give way to a real estate project that overlooked the circuit.
This was not the end of the track, however. Chilean Motorsport fanatics were able to open the track once more in 2012, however, a few weeks before the event was due to take place the local motor club retracted the agreement citing the noise restrictions and damage to the track caused by an earlier machinery festival held on the site. The circuit operates as a track day and instruction day host under strict noise limits and curfews.
The Las Vizcachas Tragedy
A black mark on the history of the circuit is the tragedy of 1975. Seven spectators and officials lost their lives at the circuit. Numerous marshalls and spectators were injured when the cars of Eduardo Kovacs and Roberto Gómez Barrios came together on the main straight, catapulting each other's cars into the unprotected pit area.Autódromo Las Vizcachas - Chile. Image: leomaldonadoh
In the aftermath, Kovacs – a former Chilean national champion – was unfairly blamed and criticised in the media as being responsible for the catastrophe. This tragedy was the beginning of the end for the ex-champion with him eventually stepping back from racing altogether. The circuit closed for the 1976 season whilst retaining walls were built and many other safety additions were combined with the original layout.
Racing settled back to normality, but unfortunately, another tragedy was to take place at the circuit almost exactly a decade later at the same section of the main straight. On September 26, 1987, Formula 3 national champion Sergio Santander was making his way back through the undergrowth after an early spin on oil when he blindly collided with competitor Gonzalo Alcalde on the main straight.
Drone shot of the circuit in Assetto Corsa. Image: Las Vizcachas Circuit
The two cars locked wheels and speared off the course into the new retaining wall, the same wall that was built after the first major crash back in 1975. The impact was monumental, shaking the very foundations of the circuit control tower that had been constructed behind the new barrier. After a 35-minute battle to free Santander from the wreckage, the Chilean driver was transported to hospital by helicopter but succumbed to his injuries whilst in the back of the ambulance.
Autódromo Las Vizcachas in Assetto Corsa
This history-soaked racing venue has been brought to Assetto Corsa by the mod creator, leomaldonadoh. A local Chile resident, Leomaldonadoh ran laps at the track himself as well as captured photogrammetry files using a drone to perfectly recreate the circuit for Assetto Corsa.Classic Formula 3 car sideways
The circuit is fantastic to drive in its short variant. The tarmac is brilliantly simulated with consistent feedback and bumps simulated. The track surroundings are good, but there are sections of the ground that are very low resolution as you can see in the background of the photo above.
Throughout testing, 1980s Formula 3 cars were used as well as the Metalex MTX1-06 from creators oliverpopple and jurik1984. These cars are fantastic for this short circuit. Whilst the mods are supposed to be European-based, they work flawlessly with Las Vizcachas and some close and riveting racing is easily attainable.
The TGM Supertourismo cars are also a great choice of continentally local machinery for a more modern experience. These fantastic cars have been reviewed already here on OverTake, so make sure to check that piece out if you're interested in these crazy hot hatches.
Supertourismo VW Golf and Audi A1's.
Overall, the circuit is a fantastic self-made circuit that brings a sprint-like track from South America to Assetto Corsa. Mods like this are the reason that this sim is still so popular amongst sim racers and mod creators. Make sure to check out the creator Leomaldonadoh here on OverTake and leave the circuit a review!
Have you ever visited Autódromo Las Vizcachas? Let us know what you think about the circuit down in the comments below!
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