Ascari Race Resort, a paradise for petrol-heads
Challenging
One lap at racing speed seated next to Klaas Zwart in his private Ascari KZ1 shows why the 5,4 kilometre long track is being described as challenging, difficult and diverse by the BOSS GP-drivers. “It’s quite a difficult and technical track that you don’t get to know in just a few laps,” explains the owner himself.
Slow chicanes and difficult curve-combinations with some ‘blind curves’ because of the height differences alternate with straight ends and extremely fast curves. The fact that the Ascari KZ1 is drifting over the kerbstones looking for grip does not worry the relaxed Klaas Zwart the least. The circuit also has a few cross-connections, meaning that there is a possibility to race on three different tracks.
Club
The word ‘Resort’ has been included in the name of the track for a reason. Aside from the pits-complex and some offices, the circuit also offers a luxurious restaurant and you even have the option to watch the races from the pool with terrace. A number of palm-trees complete the picture.
The track thus offers an atmosphere that is quite unique in the world of modern circuits.
People can subscribe to the Ascari Club, which earns you the right to race on the track a few days per year in your own car. Members hail from all over the world and it will not be much of a surprise that the means of transportation are cars of the Pagani Zonda, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Lotus and Radical-category. The cars can be parked in the garages behind the pits-terrain, where Klaas Zwart has also parked his beautiful collection of Formula 1s and various other cars and motors. Even more exclusive than the regular membership is the Formula 1-club, which gives members the right to a number of days of testing in a Grand Prix-car. Furthermore, you can take part in racing clinics at the Ascari Race Resort.
The Ascari Race Resort has also caught the eye of the car industry though. “Several car manufacturers launch their new cars here, tire companies host test sessions, and TV shows shoot their program at this track. That’s why the track is rented out more and more. When it comes to actual races, some local championships take place here,” explains Klaas Zwart. With his son Erik in charge, the complex has 20 full-time employees.
Better off than Vettel
The Race Resort is not completely finished just yet though. “There will be a luxurious hotel as well. The design of the place is already finished. I am going to call it a 10-star hotel. Aside from the usual five-stars, we offer three racing tracks, a karting circuit, a golf course, and so on; I will easily make ten stars,” jokes Klaas Zwart. “People sometimes say that I could have gone a long way as a driver had I started my career at a younger age. However, firstly, I didn’t have the money back then. Plus, if Vettel retires in a few years, he has already had the highlight of his life before his 40th. I’m still living life to the max,” concludes the epicurean Formula 1 driver.
