Potrero de los Funes Circuit
Location
Potrero de los Funes, San Luis Province, Argentina
Current Local Time
Track Info
Potrero de los Funes Circuit - San Luis, Argentina
Spectacular semi-permanent circuit around a mountain lake - long, fast and famous for combining street-course danger with huge elevation changes
When was the track built?
Potrero de los Funes began as public roads circling a reservoir in the mountains near San Luis. Turismo Carretera first used the approximately 6.2 km route in 1978 and returned in 1987.
The circuit disappeared from major racing after the 1987 event, but the idea was revived two decades later. During 2008 the roads were extensively rebuilt with new asphalt, concrete barriers, chicanes, pit facilities and safety areas. The result was a 6.270 km FIA Grade 2 circuit capable of hosting international GT racing.
When was its first race?
The original lakeside course first hosted major racing in 1978, when Juan María Traverso won the Turismo Carretera event in a Ford Falcon.
The modern circuit made its international debut on 23 November 2008. Anthony Kumpen and Bert Longin won the FIA GT race in a Saleen S7-R, while José María López won the supporting TC2000 event.
What's the circuit like?
- Fast and flowing: Much of the lap follows the lake through long, quick corners where maintaining momentum is essential.
- Serious elevation changes: The road climbs and falls through the surrounding hills, creating blind approaches and corners where the car becomes light over crests.
- Street-circuit consequences: Concrete barriers line much of the course. There is far less room for mistakes than at a normal permanent circuit.
The final part of the lap is noticeably tighter, with slower bends and almost hairpin-like sections breaking up the high-speed rhythm. Drivers often compared the challenge with road circuits such as Bathurst and the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Lap records and benchmarks
- FIA GT qualifying: 2:13.236 - Marcel Fässler, Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, 2008.
- FIA GT2: 2:19.066 - Matías Russo, Ferrari F430 GT2, 2008.
- Super TC2000 qualifying: 2:25.970 - José María López, Ford Focus, 2012.
- Top Race V6 qualifying: 2:26.508 - José María López, Ford Mondeo, 2013.
- Turismo Carretera qualifying: 2:27.172 - José María López, Torino, 2009.
Fässler's 2:13.236 was set in qualifying and is widely treated as the outright circuit benchmark. Race laps and qualifying laps should not be compared directly.
Why is Potrero de los Funes famous?
Few circuits looked like Potrero. The track completely surrounded a blue mountain reservoir, with racing cars passing between cliffs, houses and lakeside scenery. Its combination of speed, walls and elevation made it instantly popular with drivers and fans.
The FIA GT Championship debuted here in 2008, while the FIA GT1 World Championship returned in 2010 and 2011. Argentina's Turismo Carretera, TC2000, Super TC2000, Top Race and Turismo Nacional also raced around the lake.
What happened to the circuit?
Major racing gradually disappeared, with Turismo Nacional in 2018 becoming the last national championship to compete on the full circuit.
In 2024 the San Luis provincial government began removing concrete barriers and fencing from the unused racing infrastructure. The roads themselves remain part of Potrero de los Funes, but the circuit is no longer maintained as a functioning major race venue.
Why go?
Potrero de los Funes is still worth visiting for its scenery and motorsport history. The lake sits among the Sierras de San Luis, and much of the former racing route can still be travelled as ordinary public road.
For racing fans, it is a rare opportunity to see how a world-class GT circuit was fitted around an existing town and reservoir rather than constructed inside a purpose-built motorsport complex.
Where was the best place to watch?
- Lakeside sections: The classic Potrero view, combining high-speed racing with the reservoir and mountains directly behind the cars.
- Chicanes: Cars arrived quickly before braking and changing direction between the barriers, making these useful places for seeing differences in driver technique.
- Elevated hillside areas: Higher positions offered panoramic views across the lake and several distant sections of the enormous circuit.
These refer to the circuit during its active racing years. The former track is now made up largely of public roads and should be treated as such.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Potrero de los Funes Circuit (San Luis)
The former circuit surrounds the lake at Potrero de los Funes, around 20 km from San Luis city. Driving, taxi or a private transfer is easiest, while an interurban bus also connects San Luis with the town.
Important: this is now a former circuit
Potrero de los Funes is no longer an operating race circuit. The famous track was created using roads around the lake, with temporary and permanent motorsport infrastructure added for major events.
Racing stopped several years ago and circuit infrastructure began being removed in 2024. The roads and lakeside destination remain, so motorsport fans can still visit the area and see where the circuit once ran.
Tip: Navigate to Potrero de los Funes or the lake rather than looking for a race-circuit entrance.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, driving, taking a taxi or arranging a private transfer is the easiest option. Potrero de los Funes is close to San Luis city and the surrounding roads are part of the normal local road network.
Having a car is particularly useful if you want to travel around the lake, stop at viewpoints or visit other attractions in the surrounding hills.
Driving & parking
- From San Luis: follow the main roads east towards Potrero de los Funes; the journey is around 20 km.
- Former circuit roads: much of the old layout forms part of the normal road network around the lake.
- No race entrance: there is no need to find a paddock or spectator gate because the circuit is no longer operating.
- Parking: use normal legal parking provided around the town, accommodation, restaurants and visitor areas.
- Drive normally: these are public roads used by residents, tourists, cyclists and pedestrians rather than a closed racing track.
Bus & public transport
A regular interurban bus connects San Luis with Potrero de los Funes, making the area possible to visit without a car.
- From San Luis: use the PF interurban service towards Potrero de los Funes.
- Journey time: the full route is currently listed at around 55 minutes.
- Getting off: choose a stop near the part of Potrero de los Funes you want to visit, as the former circuit surrounded a large area around the lake.
- Return journey: check the current timetable before setting out, particularly if staying until the evening.
Interurban timetables can change, so check San Luis transport information on the day you travel.
Taxi & private transfers
- From San Luis: a taxi or private transfer provides a simple direct journey to Potrero de los Funes.
- Destination: give your driver a specific hotel, restaurant or lakeside location rather than asking for a circuit entrance.
- Exploring the area: arranging a driver for several hours can be useful if you want to stop at different points around the lake.
- Return journey: arrange a pickup beforehand if you are visiting quieter parts of the area.
San Luis Airport
- San Luis Airport (LUQ): the nearest airport to Potrero de los Funes.
- Airport → Potrero: the former circuit area is roughly 18–19 km away by road.
- Journey time: a direct taxi or car journey can take around 20 minutes in clear conditions.
- Easiest transfer: taxi, rental car or a pre-arranged transfer avoids having to change transport in San Luis.
Visiting the former circuit
- Start at the lake: the old racing layout wrapped around the Embalse Potrero de los Funes.
- Expect public roads: you are visiting a town and tourist destination, not a preserved closed racing track.
- Do not expect grandstands: race-specific structures and barriers have been removed or dismantled.
- Take your time: the lake, surrounding mountains and former circuit roads make the area worth exploring even without a motorsport event.
Accessibility
Because the former circuit is now part of the normal roads and visitor areas around Potrero de los Funes, accessibility depends on the particular hotel, restaurant, viewpoint or attraction you visit. Check individual locations in advance if you require step-free access or accessible parking.
Potrero de los Funes Circuit is no longer an active motorsport venue. Public transport, road access and access to remaining former circuit structures can change, so check current local information before visiting.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Potrero de los Funes Circuit (San Luis, Argentina)
Potrero de los Funes is one of motorsport’s most spectacular locations, with the former racing circuit wrapping around a mountain reservoir near San Luis. Although the full international track is no longer used for major circuit racing, its roads, scenery and motorsport history remain - alongside hiking, water sports and easy mountain escapes.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Potrero de los Funes Reservoir: The lake at the centre of the old circuit is now the main attraction. Visitors can enjoy the scenery, picnics and activities such as canoeing and windsurfing.
- Parque Nativo: A relaxed green space beside the reservoir with walking areas and views across the surrounding hills.
- Parque Patrio in La Punta: See full-size recreations of the historic Buenos Aires Cabildo and Casa de Tucumán, making Argentine history easier for children and first-time international visitors to understand.
Motorsport history & slower-paced stops
- Drive Avenida del Circuito: Parts of the former racing route remain ordinary public roads, so visitors can follow the lake and recognise sections once used by FIA GT machinery. Obey normal road limits - this is not an open racetrack.
- Former pit area: Motorsport fans can still appreciate the setting where major international and Argentine championships once raced, although the old infrastructure should not be treated as an active circuit facility.
- San Luis city: Head into the capital for museums, plazas, cafés and a wider choice of indoor activities if the weather changes.
Eat & drink like a local
- Chivito a la llama: A classic Cuyo speciality of young goat cooked slowly beside an open fire - a good choice if you want something distinctly regional.
- Empanadas: An easy introduction to Argentine food, with baked or fried pastry filled with seasoned meat, cheese or vegetables.
- Potrero restaurants: The lakeside village has restaurants and cafés where you can combine a relaxed meal with mountain and reservoir views.
Get outdoors around the lake
- Salto de la Moneda: Follow a mountain trail to a waterfall roughly 12 - 15 m high. Wear suitable footwear and allow more time than you would for a simple lakeside walk.
- Reservoir activities: Canoeing, windsurfing, mountain biking and other outdoor activities make Potrero useful even for family members with no interest in motorsport.
- Mountain viewpoints: The hills surrounding the lake provide excellent views back across Potrero and the route of the old circuit.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- El Trapiche: Around the San Luis hills, this small resort town offers rivers, trekking, horse riding and quieter countryside scenery.
- La Punta: Combine Parque Patrio with the city’s other cultural and recreational attractions for an easy half-day excursion.
- Sierra de las Quijadas National Park: Around 120 km from San Luis city, this protected landscape is known for red rock formations, fossils, wildlife and hiking. Allow a full day.
Good to know before you go
- It is no longer a complete racing circuit: Major racing ended years ago and sections of the permanent safety infrastructure began to be removed in 2024.
- Motorsport has not disappeared completely: Potrero hosted an international drift event in April 2026, using a dedicated downhill course rather than restoring the former 6.27 km FIA layout.
- Remember these are public roads: Much of the former circuit forms part of the local road network, with normal traffic, pedestrians and residents.
- Prepare for strong sun: San Luis has a generally dry climate with hot summers and cool winter mornings, so water, sunscreen and an extra layer are useful.
Motorsport events, road access, reservoir activities, hiking conditions and attraction opening hours can change - check current information before you travel.