Codegua

The Autódromo Internacional de Codegua is Chile's attempt to create a world class venue to tempt the major motorsport categories. Opened in May 2014, the circuit near the city of Rancagua is already well on the way to fulfilling its aims.

The project is the brainchild of four entrepreneurs, Luis Toledo, Pedro Ortiz, Mauricio Barrios and Juan Pablo Morales, who were keen to have a fully functional circuit near to the country's capital. The group purchased 170 hectares of land and began planning their dream.

Circuit plans were drawn up by Morales, an architect by trade, and the project began quietly in 2009, with construction work beginning the following year. Showing their intent, the FIM was invited to see plans, with safety commission chair Franco Uncini visiting the site to give an overview. As a result of this input, the proposed track direction was reversed and a number of corners revised.

Construction proper began in 2012 and the circuit slowly began to emerge. By May 2014, the northern portion of the circuit, complete with pits, grandstand and race control tower were complete, allowing the first competitive action to begin. Completion of the remainder of the full course was complete in time for the November visit of the popular Argentine Super TC2000 touring cars, supported by Formula Renault. Augusto Canapin won the TC 2000 race, while Manuel Mallo triumphed in the Formula Renault encounter.

The inauguration wasn't without drama, as in the run up the track was inspected by the authorities who discovered irregularities in the installation of acoustic barriers, forcing the track to close briefly, until noise restrictions for motorsport competition were established,

The Dorna organisation also announced Codegua as a venue for the 2015 World Superbike Championship, with the aim of future inclusion on the MotoGP calendar.  However, neither event came to pass and the circuit remains hosting largely national level events.