La Chutana
Location
Chilca, Lima Region, Peru
Current Local Time
Track Info
Autódromo La Chutana - San Bartolo, Lima, Peru
Peru's main permanent racing circuit - short, very fast and unusual because major events can run it in either direction
When was the track built?
La Chutana was created to provide Lima with a modern permanent home for circuit racing. The facility was developed beside the Panamericana Sur, roughly 50 km south of central Lima, and was completed in time for the 2010 national racing season.
The original 2.420 km layout was designed around speed rather than a large number of corners. A kart circuit followed in 2013, while the complex also developed facilities for drag racing, drifting, motorcycles and track days.
When was its first race?
La Chutana officially opened on 18 April 2010 with a Turismo Competición presentation meeting. Christopher Fuller won the first heat, but Juan Manuel Polar won the second and emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural event.
The first full national TC2000 championship round followed in May, quickly establishing the new venue as the centre of Peruvian circuit racing.
What's the circuit like?
- Very fast: The original configuration allows drivers to spend a large percentage of the lap at full throttle, making momentum particularly important.
- Long main straight: At roughly 800 metres, the straight occupies a substantial part of such a short circuit and rewards good acceleration and low aerodynamic drag.
- Different in reverse: Running clockwise or anti-clockwise completely changes braking points and corner approaches. Some events also add a chicane to the main straight.
Because a lap is so short, traffic is an important part of racing at La Chutana. During endurance events, the fastest prototypes can catch slower touring cars repeatedly, requiring drivers to judge overtaking opportunities carefully.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Prototype qualifying: 0:52.752 - Alessio Zucchi, Ginetta G57 LMP3, 2025 - anti-clockwise without chicane.
- Prototype qualifying: 0:56.735 - Alessio Zucchi, Ginetta G57 LMP3, 2025 - during the 3 Hours Peruanas weekend.
- TCR race benchmark: 1:02.805 - Alessio Zucchi, Honda Civic Type R TCR, 2026 - anti-clockwise without chicane.
- Superbike: 1:08.009 - Vicente Leguina, Honda, 2013 - clockwise configuration.
La Chutana is raced in different directions and with or without the main-straight chicane, so lap times must be compared by configuration. The 52.752 is the fastest recent published car benchmark I could verify rather than a formally maintained all-time circuit record.
Why is La Chutana important?
The circuit gave Peru's national racing scene a permanent home close to its largest city. It hosts the Campeonato de Circuito Turismo Competición, with classes ranging from relatively accessible touring cars to much faster prototype machinery.
It is also closely associated with Peru's endurance tradition. The historic 6 Horas Peruanas, first held on the streets of Lima in 1964, moved to La Chutana after the circuit opened. The venue also hosts the 200 Kilómetros de Lima and 3 Horas Peruanas.
What's the circuit used for today?
La Chutana remains an active national racing venue in 2026. Touring cars, TCR machinery and endurance racing continue to use the road circuit, while the wider complex also hosts karting, motorcycle racing, drifting, drag racing and public track days.
The variety means La Chutana is more than just a race track: it functions as one of the main centres for organised motorsport in the Lima area.
Why go?
La Chutana is a good introduction to Peruvian motorsport because the circuit is compact and the action is frequent. During multi-class events, spectators can compare everyday-based touring cars with much quicker racing machinery on the same piece of track.
The dry desert landscape surrounding the circuit also gives La Chutana a distinctive atmosphere, with barren hills forming the backdrop behind the racing.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight and pit area: Best for race starts, finishes, pit stops and following the strategy during endurance events.
- End of the main straight: Where spectator access allows, the braking zone is one of the best places to see overtaking attempts after drivers have used the slipstream.
- Technical inner corners: A good choice for watching differences in braking, traction and racing lines between the many types of cars that compete here.
La Chutana can run clockwise or anti-clockwise and may use a chicane on the main straight, so the best viewing areas can change between events. Check the event layout and spectator signage on the day.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Autódromo La Chutana (Lima)
La Chutana is south of Lima at km 50.5 of the Panamericana Sur. Driving, taxi or a private transfer is easiest, although a regular bus also stops within walking distance of the circuit.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, driving is the easiest way to reach Autódromo La Chutana. The circuit is directly off the Panamericana Sur, but it is well south of central Lima, so the biggest uncertainty is usually traffic rather than finding the route.
If you are staying in Miraflores, Barranco or central Lima without a car, a taxi or private transfer is generally easier than making the whole journey by public transport.
Tip: Use “Autódromo La Chutana, km 50.5 Panamericana Sur” in your navigation app rather than searching only for San Bartolo.
Driving & parking
- From Lima: travel south along the Panamericana Sur towards the southern beach districts.
- Circuit location: continue to approximately km 50.5 and follow signs for La Chutana.
- Final approach: leave the Panamericana Sur and follow the local access road to the circuit entrance.
- Parking: the venue has large parking areas, but the exact entrance and fee can vary by event.
- Going home: expect heavier traffic towards Lima after large Sunday events and during busy summer weekends.
Follow event signs on the final approach rather than relying only on your navigation app, as vehicle entrances may change.
Bus & public transport
La Chutana can be reached by public transport, although the journey from central Lima is much less convenient than travelling by car.
- Nearby bus stop: La Chutana P1 is around 600 m from the circuit.
- Walking time: allow approximately 8–10 minutes from the stop to the venue.
- Current service: route 1254 serves the circuit area.
- From central Lima: you may need additional connections before joining a southbound service towards the circuit.
Check the live route and your return service on the day you travel, particularly if the event finishes late.
Taxi & private transfers
- From Lima: a taxi, ride-hailing service or private driver provides a direct journey without bus connections.
- For groups: sharing a private vehicle can make the longer journey from Lima more practical.
- Give the full destination: specify km 50.5 of the Panamericana Sur so the driver knows exactly where you are going.
- Return journey: arrange your pickup before the event finishes rather than depending on finding a nearby driver afterwards.
Lima airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM): the main airport for visitors arriving from elsewhere in Peru or overseas.
- Airport → circuit: a rental car or pre-arranged private transfer is the simplest direct option.
- Long transfer: the airport is north of central Lima while La Chutana is far to the south, so the journey crosses much of the metropolitan area.
- Staying in Lima: if you are attending more than one day, arrange your circuit transport in advance rather than deciding each morning.
Event-day tips
- Leave early: Panamericana Sur traffic can become heavy, particularly on weekends and during the summer beach season.
- Check the event: La Chutana hosts circuit racing, track days, autocross, drifting and other activities with different access arrangements.
- Check parking: recent circuit guidance puts parking at around S/10–25 depending on the event, but prices can change.
- Bring sun protection: the circuit is in an exposed, dry area with little natural shade.
- Plan the return: traffic towards Lima can build quickly after a major event.
Accessibility
If you require accessible parking, step-free spectator access or assistance at La Chutana, contact the circuit or event organiser before travelling. Parking areas, entrances and spectator facilities can differ depending on the event.
Bus services, parking charges, entrances and event traffic arrangements can change. Check the official Autódromo La Chutana and your event information shortly before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around La Chutana (San Bartolo, Peru)
Autódromo La Chutana is Peru’s main circuit-racing venue, surrounded by dry coastal hills south of Lima. Whether you’re visiting for the national circuit championship, an endurance race, track day or drag event, you can combine the motorsport with Pacific beaches, ancient archaeological sites and some of Peru’s best-known food.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- San Bartolo: Head to the Pacific coast for beaches, waterfront walks and restaurants. It is one of the simplest places to relax after several hours around racing cars.
- Santuario Arqueológico de Pachacamac: Explore temples, pyramids and ceremonial spaces from more than a thousand years of pre-Hispanic history, with a modern site museum helping explain what you are seeing.
- Punta Hermosa: Another popular beach community north of San Bartolo, particularly well known for surfing and casual seaside restaurants.
Culture & history stops
- Pachacamac: This enormous ceremonial centre was important to several cultures before and during the Inca period. Allow a few hours because the archaeological complex is much larger than a typical museum.
- Historic Pachacámac: Walk around the old town founded during the Spanish colonial period and combine it with lunch in the surrounding Lurín Valley.
- Site Museum of Pachacamac: Displays of ceramics, textiles and archaeological discoveries provide useful context before exploring the ruins outside.
Eat & drink like a local
- Ceviche: Peru’s famous combination of fresh fish, lime, chilli and onion is an obvious choice near the coast. Choose a busy specialist restaurant serving freshly prepared seafood.
- Huatia: Pachacámac has a local tradition of cooking meat and potatoes using heated earth or stones, particularly during festivals and countryside meals.
- Chicharrón: Crispy pork served with sweet potato, onion relish and bread makes a filling breakfast or lunch around Lima and the Lurín Valley.
Get outdoors south of Lima
- Lomas de Lúcumo: These coastal hills become surprisingly green during the misty winter season, with walking routes through seasonal vegetation and opportunities to spot local wildlife.
- San Bartolo coast: Walk the rocky shoreline, watch surfers or simply spend an hour beside the Pacific before returning to Lima.
- Punta Hermosa: Surfing is the main attraction, but you do not need to enter the water to enjoy the clifftop and beach views.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Lima: Give Peru’s capital its own sightseeing day for the historic centre, museums, Miraflores, Barranco and the Pacific waterfront.
- Pachacámac & Lomas de Lúcumo: Combine the archaeological sanctuary with an outdoor walk for a full day focused on the Lurín Valley.
- Southern beaches: San Bartolo, Punta Hermosa and neighbouring resorts make an easy coastal extension, particularly during Peru’s warmer summer months.
Good to know on event weekends
- The circuit is active in 2026: La Chutana hosted the 3 Horas Peruanas in July, while the National Circuit Championship is due to conclude here on 6 September.
- Track days run regularly: A separate 2026 Track Day La Chutana programme gives road-car owners opportunities to drive the circuit at organised sessions.
- Check the direction of racing: The circuit can operate clockwise or anti-clockwise, and endurance events may use a different direction from other meetings.
- Prepare for an exposed venue: Shade is limited around the dry landscape, so take water and sun protection. Coastal winter days can also feel cool and overcast.
Race schedules, circuit direction, spectator access, beach conditions and archaeological-site opening hours can change - check current information before you travel.