Located near the town of Binetto, approximately 20 kilometres west of Bari, Autodromo del Levante is one of southern Italy’s most established permanent racing circuits. Since opening in the late 1980s, the venue has served as an important centre for regional and national motorsport, providing a welcoming environment for professional competitors, amateur racers and driving enthusiasts alike.
While the circuit has never sought the international profile of Monza, Mugello or Imola, it has earned widespread respect as a venue dedicated to motorsport development. Through decades of racing, testing, driver education and track days, Autodromo del Levante has played an essential role in nurturing Italy’s vibrant grassroots racing culture.
In Brief
- Autodromo del Levante opened in 1988 to serve the growing motorsport community of southern Italy.
- The circuit’s compact layout places exceptional emphasis on precision and consistency rather than outright speed.
- Both automobile and motorcycle competitions are held regularly throughout the year.
- The venue has become one of Italy’s leading centres for amateur motorsport and driver development.
- The circuit is widely used for track days, advanced driving courses and manufacturer testing.
- Its location near Bari makes it one of the most accessible permanent circuits in southern Italy.
History
Autodromo del Levante was inaugurated in 1988 with the objective of creating a permanent motorsport facility capable of serving southern Italy’s growing community of racing drivers, motorcycle competitors and automotive enthusiasts.
At a time when many major circuits were concentrated in northern and central Italy, the venue provided an important regional centre where competitors could race, test and develop without travelling across the country. Over the years, continuous investment has expanded the circuit’s facilities while preserving its accessible and community-oriented character.
Throughout its history, the circuit has hosted numerous Italian national championships, regional competitions, motorcycle events, drifting, time attack and advanced driving courses, becoming one of the most active motorsport venues in southern Italy.
Circuit Design
Autodromo del Levante measures approximately 1.577 kilometres in its principal configuration, creating a compact and highly technical circuit where drivers spend very little time travelling in a straight line.
The layout consists of a succession of slow and medium-speed corners linked by short acceleration zones, placing emphasis on precision, braking technique and vehicle balance rather than maximum speed. Frequent changes of direction reward smooth steering inputs and disciplined throttle application, making the circuit particularly suitable for driver coaching and technical vehicle evaluation.
Its compact dimensions also create close racing, where consistency and racecraft frequently outweigh outright engine performance.
LENGTH
1.577
kilometres
WIDTH
10
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
9
3 left – 6 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
407
metres
ELEVATION CHANGE
9.3
metres
OPENED
1989
37 years ago
Autodromo del Levante is defined by its compact dimensions and tightly connected sequence of corners, creating a circuit where technical precision matters considerably more than outright speed. With little time between one manoeuvre and the next, drivers and riders must establish a consistent rhythm while managing repeated braking, acceleration and changes of direction throughout the lap.
The opening section immediately places emphasis on accurate positioning and controlled braking before the circuit develops into a succession of relatively slow and medium-speed bends. Short straights provide only brief opportunities for acceleration, making strong traction particularly important and ensuring that a poor exit can compromise the approach to the following corner. Through the latter part of the lap, maintaining momentum becomes increasingly important as competitors prepare for another run along the main straight.
Rather than being dominated by a single celebrated corner, Levante derives its challenge from the intensity of the complete lap. Its compact layout magnifies small errors and rewards smooth inputs, mechanical grip and consistency, making it particularly effective for motorcycle racing, smaller competition cars and driver or rider development.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gargano Right |
| 2 | Murge Right |
| 3 | Curvone 1 Right |
| 4 | Curvone 2 Left |
| 5 | Tornantino Left |
| 6 | Ricciardi Left |
| 7 | Tramonto Right |
| 8 | Bari 1 (Simoncelli) Right |
| 9 | Bari 2 Right |
Autodromo del Levante plays an important regional role within Italian motorsport, providing southern Italy with a permanent venue for circuit competition, motorcycle racing, training and enthusiast activities. Located at Binetto near Bari, it gives competitors from Puglia and the wider south access to organised circuit racing without requiring the long journey to Italy’s better-known venues concentrated farther north and around Rome.
The circuit has developed a particularly strong relationship with motorcycle competition and grassroots motorsport, alongside automobile racing, track days and specialist events. Its short and technical configuration makes it well suited to national and regional categories where close competition, mechanical grip and rider or driver technique are more important than the very high speeds associated with circuits such as Monza or Mugello.
Levante’s significance therefore comes less from hosting major international championships than from its contribution to the foundation of Italian motorsport. Circuits such as Levante provide the environment in which amateur competitors can race, younger drivers and riders can develop their skills and regional motorsport communities can remain active. Within Cuore Sportivo’s collection, it represents an important reminder that Italy’s racing culture extends well beyond its internationally famous Grand Prix circuits.
Visitor Experience
Visitors to Autodromo del Levante enjoy an intimate motorsport experience where competitors, teams and spectators remain closely connected throughout race weekends. The circuit’s compact layout allows much of the lap to be observed from several viewing points, creating an engaging atmosphere even during smaller events.
Outside organised competition, the venue regularly welcomes track days, motorcycle schools, defensive driving courses and private testing, allowing enthusiasts to experience the circuit first-hand.
Its location also provides convenient access to the cultural and culinary attractions of Apulia, making it an appealing destination for combining motorsport with regional tourism.
Location
Autodromo del Levante is situated near Binetto in southern Italy, approximately 20 kilometres from Bari. The circuit enjoys convenient motorway access and lies within easy reach of Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport.
Its position within Apulia allows visitors to combine motorsport with exploration of one of Italy’s most historically rich and scenic regions.
Address
SP17 Km 3
9
70020 Binetto
Città Metropolitana di Bari, Puglia
Italy
Website