Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet closes...

The historic Jacarepagua race circuit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil’s  Jacarepaguá neighborhood has finally met its maker, as the circuit has now been shuttered permanently to make way for the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics.

The track was originally constructed in the 1960’s on reclaimed marshlands before being totally renovated in order to host the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix, before becoming a regular fixture on the F1 calendar from 1981-89.

In the 1984 season opener, the countries greatest Gran Primo Piloto made his Formula 1 debut; some cat by the name of Ayrton Senna, bursting onto the F1 stage with the minnowesqu Toleman Motorsports team behind the wheel of a TG183B-Hart chassis.

The venue went on to  host CART  races upon the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway’s “Roval” (Oval) from 1996-2000 - as appropriately “EMMO’s” son Christian holds the track record set in 1999 with Newman Haas Racing,.

Moto GP frequented the Autodromo from 1995-2004, as the circuit will now become part of the Olympic park, although its  claimed a new venue will be built in the future...