Eurosport Events, the promoter of the FIA World Touring Car Cup, has confirmed that MotorLand Aragón will feature on the 2020 calendar, returning Spain to the World Touring Car calendar for the first time since 2012.
The circuit had back in April already publicly revealed that it would hold a WTCR race next year, and now Eurosport has confirmed its place on the calendar.
The addition of the venue is subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, which will meet later in the year.
Although the venue has now been confirmed as hosting a WTCR event, the date has not yet been revealed and it is not clear which circuit will be dropped for 2020 in order to make way for the Spanish round.
“MotorLand Aragón is a world reference for automotive industry, with private customers and racing teams from different categories and countries testing all year long at our facilities,” said Santiago Abad, General Manager of MotorLand Aragón.
“Organising the WTCR Race of Spain is an immense pride and a future bet, supported by a long car racing heritage in our region. It’s a great added value to the existing international events at MotorLand Aragón.”
The circuit’s biggest event is the annual MotoGP round, and Eurosport Events’ WTCR promoter François Ribeiro is known to be keen on visiting circuits which have hosted MotoGP in the past.
MotorLand Aragón was inaugurated in September 2009 and was designed by renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke. Previous Spanish circuits to hold World Touring Car Events include the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. The WTCR media launch has taken place in Barcelona for the past two years, although World Touring Cars have never raced on the Catalan circuit.
MotorLand Aragón is located close to the city of Alcañiz, with racing dating back to 1965 when the City of Alcañiz Grand Prix took place on the Circuito Guadalope.
Increasing safety demands meant that racing ceased on the streets in 2003, with MotorLand Aragón being built as a replacement and opening six years later.