Autodromo di Pergusa
Location
Pergusa, Enna, Sicily, Italy
Current Local Time
Track Info
Autodromo di Pergusa - Enna, Italy
Historic high-speed circuit encircling Sicily's only natural lake - known for long straights, tight chicanes and international single-seater racing
When was the track built?
Pergusa was created in 1951 using roads that already surrounded the lake. The first layout was approximately 4.8 km long and contained only a few major bends, making it exceptionally fast for its time.
Franco Cortese won the first Pergusa Grand Prix in August 1951. Permanent pits, grandstands and safety features were gradually added as the venue attracted larger events.
How did it become famous?
The Mediterranean Grand Prix brought Formula One cars to Pergusa between 1962 and 1965, although the races did not count towards the World Championship. Winners included Lorenzo Bandini, John Surtees and Jo Siffert.
The race changed to Formula 2 in 1967 and later joined the International Formula 3000 calendar. Pergusa also hosted World Championship sports cars, FIA GT racing, touring cars and World Superbikes.
What's the circuit like?
- Long and fast straights: Cars spend much of the lap accelerating, making engine performance and low aerodynamic drag important.
- Stop-start chicanes: The original circuit was extremely fast, so several tight direction changes were added to reduce speed.
- Heavy braking: Drivers repeatedly slow from high speed, placing considerable pressure on brakes, tyres and vehicle stability.
- Flat and exposed: There are few major hills, but heat, wind, dust and changing track temperatures can affect grip.
Why is the setting unusual?
The circuit completely surrounds Lake Pergusa, Sicily's only natural lake. The water has no rivers flowing into or out of it, so its depth changes mainly with rainfall and evaporation.
The lake and surrounding woodland form a protected nature reserve used by migratory birds. Motorsport activity therefore takes place beside an environmentally sensitive area rather than inside a conventional purpose-built complex.
What races here?
- GT and touring cars: Italian championships have brought Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and production-based touring cars to Pergusa.
- Historic racing: Classic single-seaters, touring cars and sports cars celebrate the circuit's long international history.
- Endurance racing: The Coppa Florio returned in 2020 as a long-distance event involving pit stops and driver changes.
- Testing and track days: Racing teams, driving schools and private owners also use the circuit outside major meetings.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Formula 3000: 1:31.149 - Ricardo Rosset in a Reynard 95D, 1995.
- GT3: 1:33.809 - Antonio Fuoco in a Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo, 2021.
- World Superbike: 1:43.143 - Raymond Roche on a Ducati 851, 1989.
- Original high-speed layout: 1:12.800 - Jochen Rindt in a Formula 2 Brabham, 1968.
The original circuit had fewer chicanes than the modern layout, so its much faster lap times cannot be compared directly.
Why go?
Pergusa offers one of the most unusual settings in European motorsport. The circuit, lake, forest and hills of central Sicily are visible together, creating a very different atmosphere from a modern stadium-style venue.
The long straights also make speed easy to appreciate, while the tight chicanes provide clear braking and overtaking opportunities.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit activity, grid preparation and the finish.
- Proserpina chicane: Good for heavy braking, rapid direction changes and overtaking attempts.
- Curvone chicane: Watch cars arrive at high speed before negotiating one of the circuit's tightest sections.
- Grass viewing areas: Where open, these provide wider views across the circuit, lake and surrounding landscape.
Autodromo di Pergusa is approximately 10 km from Enna in central Sicily. Event schedules, grandstand availability, parking and access to lakeside areas can vary, so check the circuit's current visitor information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Autodromo di Pergusa (Sicily)
Autodromo di Pergusa is beside Lake Pergusa near Enna in the centre of Sicily. Driving is the easiest way to visit, with access from the A19 Palermo–Catania motorway. Visitors without a car can travel to Enna by train or coach and continue towards Pergusa by local bus or taxi.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is the simplest way to reach Pergusa because the circuit is in central Sicily away from the island's largest cities.
- From Catania: take the A19 west towards Palermo and leave at the Enna exit.
- From Palermo: follow the A19 east towards Catania and use the Enna exit.
- From Enna: follow signs south towards Pergusa and Piazza Armerina.
- Navigation: search for “Autodromo di Pergusa” rather than simply entering Enna.
Save the destination as Via Nazionale, 94010 Pergusa, Enna, Italy.
Train & bus
Visitors without a car can use Enna as their main public-transport connection.
- Take the train to Enna.
- Continue by SAIS bus towards Pergusa. Current services connect Enna railway station directly with Pergusa.
- Alternatively, take a taxi from Enna for a simpler final transfer.
Check the latest timetable before travelling. Local services are less frequent than public transport in Sicily's larger cities, particularly at weekends.
Flying in
Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is normally the most convenient major airport for Pergusa.
- Distance: Catania Airport lists Enna at approximately 85 km by road.
- Rental car: the easiest option for travelling directly to the circuit.
- Without a car: SAIS operates coach connections between Catania Airport and Enna.
- Palermo Airport: another option, but it requires a considerably longer journey across Sicily.
For a race weekend, hiring a car at Catania Airport usually provides the greatest flexibility.
Parking
Parking arrangements at Pergusa depend on the individual event, so there is no single spectator parking plan that applies throughout the year.
- Follow event signs: organisers may use different parking areas around the lake and circuit.
- Arrive early: access roads around Pergusa can become busy during larger meetings.
- Paddock parking: competitor and authorised vehicles use separate controlled areas.
- Check before travelling: admission and parking instructions should be published with the individual event.
Do not assume that a parking area used for one race weekend will be available for another event.
Where to stay
Pergusa and Enna are the most convenient bases if motorsport is the main purpose of your trip.
- Pergusa: closest to the circuit and useful if you want the shortest possible race-day journey.
- Enna: offers a wider choice of accommodation, restaurants and transport connections.
- Catania: much farther away but useful if you want a larger city base and easy airport access.
For a multi-day event, staying in Pergusa or Enna avoids repeating the longer drive from Sicily's coastal cities.
Understanding the circuit
Pergusa is unusual because the race track forms a complete loop around a natural lake rather than being built on a conventional motorsport site.
- Opened: 1951.
- Length: 4.950 km.
- Turns: 16, with ten right-hand and six left-hand corners.
- Direction: clockwise.
- Character: long, fast sections are interrupted by the Proserpina, Pineta and Zagaria chicanes.
The circuit's central grandstand has around 5,000 seats, with additional spectator capacity in other areas around the venue.
Race-day tips
- Check the event calendar: Pergusa does not operate a large public racing programme every weekend.
- Arrive early: there are limited approaches into the lake and circuit area.
- Prepare for the sun: central Sicily can become extremely hot during summer.
- Bring water and sun protection: many spectator areas are exposed.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children.
- Save the address: Via Nazionale, 94010 Pergusa, Enna, Italy.
For a first visit, hiring a car is the easiest option. Without one, travel to Enna and continue to Pergusa using a SAIS bus or pre-arranged taxi.
Parking, admission, bus timetables and spectator entrances can change between events. Check the official Autodromo di Pergusa information and current SAIS transport schedules before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Autodromo di Pergusa (Enna, Sicily)
Autodromo di Pergusa is one of Italy's most unusual racing circuits, wrapping around a natural lake in the hills of central Sicily. The historic track has welcomed Formula cars, GTs and touring cars, while nearby Enna offers medieval castles, Sicilian food and panoramic views - with major Roman and Greek sites close enough for easy day trips.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Lake Pergusa Nature Reserve: Sicily's only natural lake sits inside the circuit. Walking and birdwatching are the main attractions, particularly when migratory birds pass through the area.
- Castello di Lombardia: Explore one of Sicily's largest medieval fortresses high above Enna, with towers and wide views across the island's interior.
- Enna historic centre: The compact hilltop centre is easy to explore on foot, with the cathedral, viewpoints and old streets close together.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Enna Cathedral: Step inside the city's main cathedral before exploring the surrounding historic streets.
- Villa Romana del Casale: Near Piazza Armerina, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains more than 3,500 m² of detailed Roman mosaics protected inside the villa complex.
- Archaeological Museum of Aidone: See finds from nearby Morgantina, including important sculptures, silver and objects from the ancient city.
Eat & drink around Pergusa
- Enna: Head into the city for trattorias, pizzerias, cafés and traditional Sicilian cooking after a day at the circuit.
- Try Piacentinu Ennese: This local cheese is flavoured with saffron and black peppercorns and is one of the area's best-known products.
- Look for cassatelle: The nearby town of Agira is famous for sweet pastries traditionally filled with ingredients such as almonds and cocoa.
Get outdoors around the lake
- Pergusa Nature Reserve: Explore the paths and surrounding woodland for a quieter look at the landscape enclosed by the racing circuit.
- Rocca di Cerere: Head back into Enna for a dramatic hilltop viewpoint connected with the ancient worship of the goddess Demeter or Ceres.
Central Sicily can become extremely hot in summer. Carry water and avoid longer exposed walks during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Piazza Armerina: Combine its medieval streets with the nearby Villa Romana del Casale and its extraordinary Roman mosaics.
- Morgantina: Walk through the remains of an ancient Sicilian and Greek city among the hills near Aidone, then visit the archaeological museum.
- Caltagirone: Allow a longer outing for this UNESCO-listed Baroque town, famous for colourful ceramics and its monumental staircase.
Good to know during race weekends
- The lake and circuit share the same landscape: Pergusa is unusual because motorsport takes place around a protected natural area, so access and environmental restrictions can affect events.
- Check the current calendar carefully: The circuit's 2026 programme is evolving as the operating organisation rebuilds its event schedule.
- Use Enna as your base: Staying in the city gives you more restaurants and sightseeing while keeping Pergusa only a short drive away.
- Prepare for the heat: Summer race days in inland Sicily can be much hotter than coastal sightseeing areas.
- Bring hearing protection: Racing cars are extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, spectator access, nature-reserve conditions, attraction opening hours and circuit operations can change - check current information before travelling.