Previously, Indonesia hosted World Championship racing in 1996 and 1997, and Superbike racing from 1994 to 1997, all at the Sentul International Circuit near Jakarta. However, the 1997 Asian financial crisis led to the suspension of motorsport hosting. The circuit was built to increase tourism to the Mandalika resort area and introduce new tourist destinations.
In 2016, Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) obtained the Land Management Rights certificate to build the circuit. A memorandum of understanding between ITDC and Roadgrip Motorsports was signed in January 2017, and Vinci Grand Construction Projects signed a contract in November 2017 to build the MotoGP circuit with an investment of 6.5 trillion Rupiah. The circuit was announced to host the returning Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix in February 2019, with a planned three-season MotoGP commitment from 2021 to 2023. However, the 2021 race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled for 2022.
The Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix was held in 2022 as the second round of the season, following the Qatar Grand Prix. The circuit also hosted the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test from 11 to 13 February 2022, alongside planned events for the Superbike World Championship and the Asia Talent Cup. Pertamina secured naming rights for US$7 million, renaming the circuit to Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, with the contract valid until the end of 2022.
During the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test, riders raised concerns about the circuit surface, citing sharp gravel and a dirty track. This led to the suspension of the first day’s testing for cleaning, and a subsequent decision to repave the track from before turn 17 to after turn 5, completed by 9 March 2022. Despite the repaving, new holes appeared during practice for the March 2022 motorcycle grand prix race weekend, resulting in shortened Moto2 and MotoGP races.
The Mandalika Circuit features 17 corners. The circuit surface uses Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) to enhance tyre grip. The pit building spans 350 metres, with two to three floors and a capacity of 50 garages, and can be converted into a conference centre. The circuit has a capacity of 50,000 grandstand seats and a total capacity of 195,700 people. It was homologated to FIM grade A in March 2022, having previously been graded as 'B' for the 2021 World Superbike event. Marc Márquez described the layout as simple, but anticipated an entertaining race.
The construction of the circuit faced land disputes, including cases involving residents whose land was subject to legal disputes with ITDC. Gema Lazuardi won a criminal case after being sued for using land promised for purchase, and Masrup lost his land despite a court finding in his favour. The project was criticised by the United Nations due to reports of local Sasak people being dispossessed of their homes and land, though the government dismissed these claims. Protests and blockades by residents occurred in late September 2019 due to ongoing land disputes. Concerns were also raised regarding access to a hamlet within the circuit and unauthorized motorbike checks in the paddock. Additionally, the MGPA Chief Operating Officer, Dyan Dilato, was sacked for making “derogatory” remarks to marshals.
The Mandalika Circuit currently hosts the Pertamina 6 Hours Endurance in January, the Mandalika Racing Series throughout the year, the GT World Challenge Asia and Mandalika Festival of Speed in May, and the MotoGP Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix in October. The circuit previously hosted the Superbike World Championship and the Asia Talent Cup from 2021 to 2023.
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