26 avril 2015
“The World Series by Renault gives you the inside view on motor racing.”
Arturo Aliaga clocked up 269,000 kilometres in a Renault 4L in criss-crossing Spain before becoming the CEO of Motorland Aragon, which says a lot about the man. The circuit he runs opened its doors in hosting the final round of the 2009 World Series by Renault campaign, and has just welcomed the WSR season-opener for the sixth year running.
What impact has the World Series by Renault had on the circuit and the region as a whole ?
There’s no doubting the impact the event has had. Renault Sport’s decision to come to Motorland Aragon has allowed us to raise the global profile of the circuit. It’s put us on the map. The World Series by Renault also give us the chance show teams what the site has to offer in terms of hosting other international competitions like Moto GP. We also open the track up to manufacturers for the development of their cars.
What are the reasons behind that success ?
The World Series by Renault is more than a competition. The fans can get up close to the cars and they can see the technology for themselves and how teams organise themselves. The spectators have easy access to the paddock and they can meet the drivers too. The event gives them the opportunity to get the inside view on the sport they love, right alongside their idols, and all in a first-rate competition. It’s impossible to get that close in F1 or Moto GP. It’s that unique character of the event that makes it so popular. The World Series by Renault is successful because it’s created a bond with motorsport and a passion for it. We’ve brought the excitement of motor racing to everyone.
Are you a big fan of the Spanish drivers ?
I’ve met quite a few of the drivers racing in Formula One today : Fernando Alonso, obviously, and Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Vettel, who’ve been to the Motorland Aragon circuit for testing. Carlos Sainz and Roberto Merhi are among the best drivers in the world today, and we need leaders like them to remind everyone that Spain is the second-biggest producer of cars in Europe, thanks in no small part to the Renault factories in Palencia (where the Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R is built) and Valladolid. Quite apart from being a sporting event, the competition also plays an important role in the transfer of technological innovations to production cars. I keep a close eye on the technical progress being made by manufacturers in Spain, France and the USA.
From left to right on our picture : Patrice Ratti, Managing Director Renault Sport Technologies, Arturo Aliaga, Président of Motorland Aragón, Carlos Sainz, driver F1 and champion Formula Renault 3.5 Series 2014, Carlos Gracia, Président of spanish federation of sport-car and vice-Président of FIA, Jaime Alguersuari, Président RPM Racing.
