Mexico City / 06.02.2021 13:15:29
A huge fire destroyed a large part of the Termas de Río Hondo racetrack, in the Santiago del Estero province (north), where the MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina is scheduled to take place.
“Unfortunately the entire pit building was destroyed. That sector also included the press rooms, race control and vip lounges“, Hector Farina, General Director of the Termas de Rio Hondo Racetrack, said in a statement.
We’re deeply sorry to hear about the fire at Termas de Río Hondo circuit
Sending all our support to our friends of @argmotogp in this difficult moment
Much encouragement!
– MotoGP ™ ???? (@MotoGP) February 6, 2021
“It will surely take a long time to rebuild this important area necessary for national and international competitions,” he added.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the MotoGP, the highest category of world motorcycling, announced at the beginning of the year the postponement until November of the Argentine Grand Prix, scheduled at that racetrack in April this year.
It is in this racetrack where for several years a stable date of the World Championship has been run MotoGP.
“We will work from now on to do everything possible in ccomply with the schedules that we have planned, including the date of the Moto GP World Championship in November, “says Farina’s statement.
The flames began after 10:00 p.m. local time on Friday, but for now the exact cause or origin is not known.
“In total, 70 firefighters participated. The fire had already been controlled and extinguished at around 4:30 am,” he told AFP. Alfredo Garcia, one of the heads of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Termas de Río Hondo, who moved urgently to “face the voracious fire.”
“Unfortunately the losses in the building were totalWe are talking about a building that is just over 200 m long and 40 m wide, on three floors, “he added.
During the operation, in which a total of 70 personnel participated, together with firefighters from neighboring cities, “only two of them suffered injuries.”
One of the concerns was that the fiery lights would not reach the Automobile Museum, very close to the Autodromo, which houses priceless relics of motorcycles and automobiles.
“Several boxes were saved and it was control it so that it does not advance towards the Automobile Museum, one of the emblematic buildings of the province “, said García.
The motorcycling world championship will begin, as planned, with the Qatar Grand Prix to be held in March.
JMRS
