Catalunya circuit according Joan Olivé
‘it’s a very varied layout with some very fast corners such as the entrance to the main straight and some slower ones’
At the beginning of this season Joan Olivé took the step to move from the 125cc class, where he was racing with Alberto Puig’s team, to the quarter-litre-class, thanks to the trust Jorge Martínez Aspar placed on him. Last year, Olivé made one of his best races on the Catalan circuit, taking the chequered flag in sixth place. With regard to the track that will be hosting the Catalunya Grand Prix this weekend, the youngster from the city of Tarragona explains, ‘given the frequent Formula 1 testings, the track is quite bumpy.
When I was racing in the 125cc class, you noticed this unevenness a lot and it made it difficult to ride. With regard to the technical aspect it’s a very varied layout with some very fast corners such as the entrance to the main straight and some slower ones. I like this circuit, especially because I’ll be racing at home, and I also have the chance to test here quite often, therefore I know it better than the other circuits and it gives me good sensations. There is an especially beautiful section close to the stadium, the braking area at the end of that straight, that’s always filled with people, and it’s also a good spot to overtake other riders.’The venue of the GP, in detailLocated 20 kms north of Barcelona the Circuit de Catalunya opened in September 1991, thanks to the joint collaboration of the RACC and the Catalan Autonomous Government. Its first international event was held there only two weeks later and since 1995 it became a regular venue to the Catalan Grand Prix. The circuit offers three different layouts: the Grand Prix layout – 4,727 m in length – the National layout and the School layout. The main straight of the Circuit de Catalunya is one of the longest of the championship. With its 1,047 m, it allows to fully display the engines’ power during the practice sessions and to use the slipstream for spectacular overtaking manoeuvres during the race.With a capacity of over 100,000 spectators, the Circuit de Catalunya has 15 long and fast corners, 8 right-hand and 5 left-hand. Given the balanced combination between corners and straights, this track is one of the most frequently used for off-season testing both in Formula 1 and Motorcycling. Former world champion, Alfonso ‘Sito’ Pons, still actively participating in the world of motorcycling, collaborated in the design of this circuit, considered to be one of the best of the recent era, that recently won the much coveted ‘Best Grand Prix’ trophy presented every year by the IRTA.
Official Web: Catalunya circuit
Repsol drivers in Catalunya GP 2002
MOTOGP:
Valentino Rossi. Practice: (4º) 1´44.950 seg. / Race: (1º) 44´20.679 seg. / Fastest lap: 1´45.594 seg.
250:
Fonsi Nieto: Pole: 1´47.315 seg. / Race: (3º) 41´43.066 seg. / Fastest lap: 1´48.278 seg.
Toni Elías: Practice: (9º) 1´48.598 seg. / Race: (10º) 42´11.098 seg. / Fastest lap: 1´48.531 seg.
125:
Dani Pedrosa. Practice: (4º) 1´51.667 seg. / Race: (2º) 41´18.230 seg. / Fastest lap: 1´51.488 seg.
