Gotland Ring is the first ecological racetrack and driver training venue in the world. The premium racetrack and multi-functional motorsport facility in Kappelshamn on the Swedish island of Gotland, the most popular tourist resort in Sweden, is located in an eco-municipality.
The circuit - designed by the founder and social and environmental entrepreneur Alec Arho Havrén - was FIA-inspected for racing in June 2009. However, corporate edutainment and testing is the main focus even in the future. In its final format - with a main circuit profile of 28 km - Gotland Ring will become the longest racetrack in the world.
Global and Pan-European automotive new model launches dominated Gotland Ring’s cash flow during 2007. Gotland Ring has been selected as the only environmentally profiled race & test track in the world – hence the choice of a Pan-European launch of the hydrogen driven Honda FCX in June 2007. October 15-Nov 2, BMW conducted its global new model launch and its new Efficient Dynamics technology on Gotland Ring.
In the future, six separate circuits - totalling 28 km - will allow flexible utilisation of the facility; simultaneous testing and corporate events can be executed on different parts of the extensive complex. Top experts and racing champions already consider the now existing operational Gotland Ring profile as one of the most technical and exciting in the world.
As of today, the tarmac extends over 3.2 km on the Northern Loop and it will be FIA graded and ready to be raced on by spring 2009. Moderns FIA steel barriers are in place around the complete circuit and the track was certified for racing June 2009.
The second complete entity – the Southern Loop – is under pre-construction development and is ready for tarmac installation during 2010. The vast areas available for the complete motorsport & leisure centre are a spectacular setting for the future expansion. In its final format (after 2012), the grand track of 28 km is planned to extend over an approximate 6 km² area.
Founder and main partner Alec Arho Havrén will continue as the track profile architect, whereas Pöyry Architects will be responsible for hotel and other architectural development and participate in the business development together with an active cluster of companies.
Nordkalk – the biggest limestone producer in Northern Europe - is the main sponsor of Gotland Ring.
Evata (http://www.architects.poyry.fi/en/index.html or www.evata.com, part of Pöyry Group since August 2007) and Gotland Ring have signed a partnership contract to jointly develop a master plan for the macro vision of Gotland Ring. Evata is the international development company behind projects, such as Holiday Club in Åre, the new multifunctional football arena in Valencia, and Super Life Lab (shopping centre with an aqua park & indoor ski centre) in Espoo Finland, among other interesting endeavours.
Gotland Ring – Operational Profile
Length: 3.2 km, dividable into two separate profiles Elevation: 25 m Topography: forest, lime stone formations along coastal region, limestone quarry area Width: 12-21 m Corners: 7 right and 6 left Location: The Island of Gotland (most popular tourist attraction in Sweden)
Current operational activities
• Product launches for the automotive-, motorcycle, and related industries • Edutainment events – Safety Driving, Eco Driving, Racing Experience, Business Grand Prix, • Automotive industry testing activities • Exclusive film shoots • Environmental training • Track days • Racing Academy • Spectator events
Gotland Ring track profile(s) to be built 2010-2011
Three (3) circuit profiles and two (2) separate international standard circuits (tarmac extending 3.2 km currently operative + 4.2 km to be built 2010) can be run simultaneously
Length: 7375 m (complete Grand Prix profile) Elevation: 25 m Topography: forest, lime stone formations along coastal region, limestone quarry area Width: 12-25 m Corners: 14 left and 14 right
Development phases 2008-2015
- Installation of FIA-barriers on the 3.2 km Northern Loop (completed) - Installation of FIA-fencing (April 2009) - Safety & Eco Driving Centre (completed) - Off-road tracks and trails (completed) - Rally special stages, gravel road network (completed) - Enduro tracks and trails (completed) - Circuit expansion: the 4.2 km Southern Loop, multipurpose race & test circuit – total of 7.4 km (2009-2010) - Eco Design Hotel (2011) - Life Style Eco Villas and Cabins (2010) - Conference & Convention Centre (2011) - Green Business Incubator and Technology park (2010) - Technology park for the research and development of wireless applications - Training and research-and-development centre for traffic safety - Testing and product development centre for mission-specific, zero- and low-emission vehicles - Green Business Incubator and mobile laboratories - Karting circuit (2012) - Multipurpose Race & Test Circuit network, total of 28 km with six (6) major separate circuits that can be utilised simultaneously (2012-2014) - Aqua Adventure Park (2014) - Golf course (2012) - Airfield for ecological new technology sports planes (2014) - Theme Hotel (2015) - Family Theme Park – Gotland Ring Speed World (2015)