It was on November 2, 2008 that the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA) opened its doors after just seven months of construction. The administration of the AIA stresses that this is “a project of national interest (PIN) that has taken the name of Portugal all over the world and for the best reasons. Three years of many sporting events, three years of hard work, three years of great dedication».
If in 2008, the Algarve Motor Park was limited to the main track, three years later the project continues to be the target of investments and growth.
Since then, the Racing School, the AIA's driving school, which aims at training but also the experience of unique experiences, came into operation, Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve, one of the biggest and best karting tracks in Europe, and Off Road Park, a whole track -the terrain that resembles the specials of the best TT races and rallies in the world.
On the other hand, the Photovoltaic Power Station, an infrastructure aimed at the production of electricity, also came into operation, while the Commercial Zone, the 5-star Radisson hotel chain and Apartamentos Vista do Falcão are on the final stretch of completion, being a project anchor, closing the cycle of services required for any event, and also the Technological Park that will house a series of companies linked to the automotive sector.
At a time when the national economic situation has worsened, Parkalgar, the entity that manages the Algarve Motor Park, has oriented its strategy of action towards the international market, which allows it to have a high occupancy rate of the circuit throughout of the whole year. 
The awards that were awarded to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the many praiseworthy editorials that were published in the four corners of the world and its number of sporting events and worldwide presentations make those responsible aware that the project «has an unequaled value».
“When we started the project, we didn't idealize it with this dimension. But as we worked, we came to the conclusion that it would only make sense if it could have in place all the motorsports valences as well as support structures. At the time, it may have seemed like a megalomaniac, but the various aspects of the project made it different on an international scale. And the events we have held and the degree of satisfaction of our customers show us that we made the right choice”, began by saying Paulo Pinheiro, the mentor of this project.
For many, “the AIA is just a place where motorcycle or car races take place. Pure mistake. This is an important aspect of the structure's functioning, the one that takes us to the national and international panorama of motor sports, but not the one that makes the investment made so far financially viable. The tests, track days, events corporate and another type of actions are the core business".
“Our occupancy rate since the opening of the circuit has been around 85% per year. This number reflects well our daily work. We have been the stage, recurrently, of worldwide presentations, secret tests and countless other actions. We are always active”, he continued.
For the Algarve region, in particular Portimão, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve plays an important role in the economic sector, as in addition to breaking the region's seasonality, it is an important company given the number of employees it has, but also in the use of services from local companies.
“Sometimes these small details are not taken into account, which are, in the current economic situation, extremely important. We have sought to create greater proximity to the region's population at all levels. We want the region to see the AIA as a driver of economic activity and to be proud of what has been built here”, reinforced Paulo Pinheiro.
Entering the third year of activity, the prospects are encouraging: “Given the difficult period we are going through, we feel that we are in a counter-cycle. We have the pre-booked circuit on about 70% of the days”, concluded Pinheiro.
Who is Paulo Pinheiro?
Born on October 8, 1971, he graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Algarve. His passion for motor sports dates back to his childhood. He even became a motorcycle rider but an injury forced him to retire.
Aware of the gap in this type of infrastructure in the southern part of the country, from an early age he aspired to build a kart track in the Algarve. That little child's dream would turn into something bigger.
At 37, he realizes his dream of seeing the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve materialize. He is a director of Parkalgar SA, the entity that manages the Algarve Motor Park.
Awards and Distinctions:
- 'Motorsport Facility of the Year' Award distinguished by the 'Professional Motorsport World Expo Awards 2009', which annually awards the best teams, personalities, technologies and infrastructures in the automotive world;
- Decade Circuit Award by 'Fast Bike Magazine';
- Sport Merit Award 2008 by the weekly Auto Today
- Distinction by the Portuguese Federation of Automobile and Karting through the Prestige Award in 2008
Appreciative words:
Michael Schumacher: “I love the circuit. It is technically very demanding and difficult to drive but at the same time very safe and well prepared”.
Lewis Hamilton: “Very good. Driving on this track is truly fantastic.”
Pedro de la Rosa: “Excellent. It is a tremendous challenge, as there are many ups and downs and it is not easy to define the ideal braking points, as well as to design the best trajectories”.
Max Mosley: “It's a beautiful circuit, very original, interesting, because it has significant level changes and blind corners, where during part of the circuit you have to be committed to see where we're going, so it's a remarkable circuit”.
Some proofs:
– Superbike World Championship
– Formula 1 Tests
– A1GP
– GP2 Series
– Le Mans Series
– FIA GT1 Championship
– Superleague Formula
– Spanish GT Championship
– International GT Open
– Algarve Historic Festival
- Etc.
The numbers:
– 36 months of activity
– 7 Months of Construction
– 195 Million Euros of Investment
– 20 International Championship Trials
– More than 1,1 Million Spectators
– More than 1500 pilots from all over the world have already visited the AIA
– 3200 workers in the construction of the AIA
– 50 permanent staff people
– 1.27.880 the fastest lap of the track by Pedro de la Rosa in F1 in January 2009
– 41 cars – Largest Starting Grid at Algarve Historic Festival 2011
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