History of motorsport in Puerto Rico: in 1962 Roger Penske won the Puerto Rico Grand Prix at the Antilles circuit near Caguas. Puerto Rico Racing "¿Sabías que?" graphic.
The history of motorsport in Puerto Rico goes back further than many people think. Long before Instagram car meets, there was a Grand Prix won by Roger Penske and an NHRA-certified dragstrip in Salinas. Here are three milestones, each with a source: 1962, 1975 and 2003. If it has no citation, it doesn't go in.
Sources are listed at the end. Do you have documents, photos or programs from those races? Write to us. We want to expand this history with verified facts.
The history of motorsport in Puerto Rico in three dates
- November 11, 1962: Roger Penske wins the Puerto Rico Grand Prix near Caguas.
- 1975: Salinas opens its first quarter-mile dragstrip, NHRA-certified.
- 2003: Wally Castro wins the Trans-Am Grand Prix at Isla Grande.
1962: Roger Penske wins the Puerto Rico Grand Prix
In the 1950s and 1960s, after the European season ended, a series of sports car races ran in the Caribbean and the US. The centerpiece was the Nassau Speedweek in the Bahamas. In November 1962, the Grand Prix Société de Puerto Rico held an extension of that season. It was two weekends of racing at the Antilles Auto Racing Circuit, near Caguas.
The main event was held on November 11, 1962, over 246 kilometers. Roger Penske, in his Zerex Special, dominated and won by three laps. Behind him came Timmy Mayer in a Cooper Climax and factory Porsche driver Dan Gurney in a Porsche 718 WRS.
1975: Salinas Speedway opens its quarter-mile dragstrip
Salinas Speedway, officially Puerto Rico International Speedway, sits on an airstrip the US Army built in 1940. In 1975 the first quarter-mile dragstrip opened there, certified by the NHRA.
According to the track notes on Silhouet.com, it was rented to different promoters until 1982. It was closed from 1982 to 1984, when it was built by the López family. It has been used for motorsport ever since. Those notes also list an eighth-mile dragstrip, two road courses (1.2 and 1.8 miles) and an oval go-kart track.
Today it is an NHRA Southeast Division member track, at Carr. 3 km 155.2, Bo. Jagua, Salinas. The NHRA itself describes it as one of the most important places in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean for motorsport.
First time going? Read our quick guide to your first visit to Salinas Speedway and the Salinas Speedway spectator guide. The next dates listed at the track are Viernes de Calle, Calle (Friday, November 13) and 3TC Battle #7 (Sunday, November 15). Confirm times and prices on each listing.
2003: the Grand Prix returns with Trans-Am at Isla Grande
Forty-one years later, the American Trans-Am Series made a one-time visit to Puerto Rico. The 2003 Puerto Rico Grand Prix ran on a temporary circuit laid out on the runway, taxiways and support roads of San Juan's Isla Grande Airport. Jorge Díaz promoted the event. The circuit was 1.6 miles (2.575 km) and the race ran 55 laps.
Wally Castro won in a Jaguar XKR, ahead of Bobby Sak (Chevrolet Corvette) and Tomy Drissi (Jaguar XKR). Scott Pruett, also in a Jaguar XKR, started from pole. Jorge Díaz Jr. had to start from the back of the grid after a penalty and still climbed into the top three. A race was planned for 2004, but it was cancelled.
From history to today's track
Today the scene lives in Salinas, at Arecibo Motorsports and at the meets every weekend. Read our Arecibo Motorsports guide, meet Picachu Tec, the Salinas Técnica, and see what's coming up at /eventos.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big milestones in the history of motorsport in Puerto Rico?
Three with sources: the 1962 Grand Prix near Caguas, the Salinas quarter-mile dragstrip in 1975 and the Trans-Am Grand Prix at Isla Grande in 2003.
Who won the first Puerto Rico Grand Prix?
Roger Penske, on November 11, 1962, at the Antilles Auto Racing Circuit near Caguas, in a Zerex Special.
When did Salinas Speedway open?
The first NHRA-certified quarter-mile dragstrip opened in 1975 on an airstrip the US Army built in 1940.
Who won the 2003 Puerto Rico Grand Prix?
Wally Castro, in a Jaguar XKR, on the Isla Grande Airport circuit in San Juan.
Sources
- Wikipedia: "Puerto Rico Grand Prix" (citing Primotipo, Racing Sports Cars, motorsport.com and The Third Turn).
- Silhouet.com: "Salinas (Puerto Rico International Speedway)", track notes.
- NHRA Division 2: member track listing, Puerto Rico International Speedway.
Follow Puerto Rico Racing on Instagram for more verified history of the Puerto Rican scene.