Blundell wants to test Tenerife racing circuit

Following the recent story about the proposed building of a new racing circuit on the island of Tenerife, ex-racing driver Mark Blundell has told president of Tenerife Carlos Alonso that he would like to be the first person to drive on the Tenerife Island Circuit – before construction even begins.

Blundell spent nearly 20 years competing at the very top level of world motorsport and is best known for his success in Formula One and at Le Mans.

He stated his intent at the circuit’s world exclusive press launch at the Royal Automobile Club in London on Tuesday 4 November. At the event Carlos Alonso announced a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting bids for the construction and operation of the track, with a necessary investment of €25.7m.

The deadline for bids is February 3 so construction will not begin until spring at the very earliest – but Mark will be testing the track long before then.

Eduardo Pintado, the commerce counsellor of Tenerife, who is overseeing the initiative and is an ex-racing driver himself, spoke about the British drivers in the sixties who inspired his own passion for motor racing.

British racing legends left their mark in Tenerife in the 60s, when world class events were held in the streets of Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz. The legacy that these men left behind placed them firmly in Tenerife’s automobile hall of fame.

Blundell replied to Pintado that he would “like to follow in the footsteps of those historic British drivers in Tenerife and be the first to race around the new circuit”.

On a forthcoming trip to Tenerife next month, Mark Blundell will complete a timed lap of the marked-out circuit at the future track site in a 4×4 as the area is, at present, completely undeveloped.

The Tenerife Island Circuit is designed for FIA certification, and will stage events on two wheels as well as four.

Blundell said that the circuit has “huge amounts of potential to stage some incredibly exciting races”, and he will be involved in the project in a consultancy role with his sports management firm MB Partners.

Located on the consistently sunny south of the island and less than three kilometres from the airport Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur, the track’s location is one of its major selling points.

The Tenerife Island Circuit will enjoy 180° views of the sea to the south, with volcanic mountains towering over it in the north.

The combination of striking vistas and an abundance of luxury hotels and leisure facilities on the island will make it an ideal destination for drivers and fans alike.