The Barcelona – Catalunya circuit was built between 1989 and 1991 to provide Catalonia with a modern structure after decades during which motorcycle racing competitions mainly took place in two locations: Sitges and Montjuic Park.
If the latter can still evoke some beautiful battles for the oldest among you, few people suspect the existence of the spectacular route of Sitges shore, a sort of Spanish Monthléry whose beginnings date back to 1922 but which, unfortunately, will be far from experiencing the expected success. Certainly, it is not very new, but without inflicting on you today the complete history of these installations (see here) which date from a time when having an autodrome was a sign of prosperity and modernism, just know that you can still explore it on foot and soak up the place.
To do this, simply go to Sitges, a town located a good twenty kilometers south of Barcelona via the C-32 motorway, exit at exit #26 and go down towards the sea; you will then find the autodrome on your left. Obviously, it becomes more and more difficult to access, but if you don't try, you can't get anything...
And if the '30s are not your thing but you are quite nostalgic for the era of 2-strokes, and therefore necessarily the Derbi in Spain, we could suggest a little tour about 5 kilometers from the Barcelona circuit – Catalunya, where theDerbi factory Martorelles, although stopped since 2013, nevertheless knew how to revive the memory of the crackling of the 125 RSA designed by Jan Thiel et Frits Overmars for Derbi before being bought by Aprilia, and with which, for example, Johann zarco will have been able to dream and make us vibrate not so long ago...
At least, until last year when we could still admire the enormous letters DERBI and the immense laurel wreath proudly enthroned on the ancient factory in the suburbs of Barcelona. We could even approach it and see through the windows the deserted workshops although still lit, while imagining the late Ricardo Tormo et Angel grandson doing their tests in the adjacent streets, a custom obviously from another time...
Unfortunately, last year the historic factory, which was still owned by the Rabasa family, was bought by the British real estate group SEGRO to build a 16 square meter logistics center.
The excavators attacked the ancient red brick walls in the process, and only the famous signs were able to be saved from destruction by the municipality with a view to being placed at the entrance to the town for the centenary of the brand in 2022 .
This time, it's sure, DERBI, it's over!
Photo gallery of the abandoned factory before its destruction
