Situated just north of Rome near the town of Campagnano di Roma, the Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi is one of Italy’s most important permanent racing circuits. Combining modern facilities with a rich motorsport heritage, the circuit serves as a national centre for competition, driver training, vehicle development and motorsport innovation.
Owned by the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), Vallelunga hosts an extensive calendar of GT racing, touring cars, motorcycles, historic motorsport and manufacturer events while also supporting road safety programmes, advanced driver education and automotive testing.
Today it stands as one of Italy’s busiest and most versatile motorsport venues.
In Brief
- The permanent circuit opened in 1957.
- It is owned and operated by the Automobile Club d’Italia.
- The circuit is named after Italian racing legend Piero Taruffi.
- Vallelunga hosts some of Italy’s most important national racing championships.
- It serves as a major centre for driver education and road safety programmes.
- Many Italian manufacturers use the circuit for testing and customer driving experiences.
History
Motor racing arrived at Vallelunga during the early 1950s, when competitions were held on a temporary circuit laid out around the shores of the former Lake Vallelunga.
A permanent circuit opened in 1957, gradually evolving through successive improvements as Italy’s motorsport industry expanded. During the following decades Vallelunga welcomed Formula Two, Formula 3000, touring cars, endurance racing and numerous national championships, becoming one of the country’s most active racing venues.
The circuit was renamed in honour of legendary Italian driver and engineer Piero Taruffi, whose contributions to motorsport and automotive engineering continue to inspire generations of competitors.
Today, under ACI ownership, Vallelunga combines competition, education and technological development within a single integrated motorsport campus.
Circuit Design
The current Grand Prix configuration measures 4.085 kilometres and features 15 corners, arranged in a clockwise direction.
Vallelunga combines fast sweeping bends with technical braking zones and rhythmical corner sequences that reward precision rather than outright aggression. Elevation changes are modest, placing greater emphasis on vehicle balance, braking stability and consistent cornering performance.
The layout includes a variety of corner types, making it equally suitable for GT cars, touring cars, motorcycles and advanced vehicle testing. This versatility has contributed significantly to its popularity among manufacturers and racing teams.
LENGTH
4.085
kilometres
WIDTH
11–14
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
TURNS
15
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
16.3
metres
OPENED
1951
75 years ago
Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi is defined by a varied technical layout that combines heavy braking zones, medium-speed sequences and faster corners where maintaining momentum becomes increasingly important. Rather than relying on a single dominant characteristic, the circuit continually shifts the demands placed on the car, rewarding a balanced setup and drivers capable of adapting their approach throughout the lap.
The opening section establishes the circuit’s faster character before the Cimini sequence introduces a demanding change of direction where precision and chassis stability are essential. Through the middle of the lap, Campagnano and the surrounding technical sections place greater emphasis on braking accuracy and mechanical grip, while slower corners require disciplined throttle application and strong traction. The final part of the circuit builds towards Roma, where a clean, progressive exit is particularly important for carrying maximum speed onto the main straight.
Although individual corners such as Cimini, Campagnano and Roma have established their own identities, Vallelunga’s greater challenge comes from combining several different driving disciplines within a relatively compact lap. Drivers who remain precise under braking, preserve momentum through the faster sections and prioritise traction through the slower corners are generally rewarded most strongly.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | T1 |
| 2 | Curva Grande |
| 3 | T3 |
| 4 | Cimini 1 |
| 5 | Cimini 2 |
| 6 | T6 |
| 7 | Campagnano |
| 8 | Soratte |
| 9 | T9 |
| 10 | T10 |
| 11 | Semaforo |
| 12 | Tornantino |
| 13 | T13 |
| 14 | T14 |
| 15 | Roma |
Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi occupies an important position within Italian motorsport as one of the country’s principal permanent racing, testing and training facilities. Located close to Rome and operated by the Automobile Club d’Italia, the circuit has supported national and international competition for generations while developing a broader role within Italy’s automotive and road-safety infrastructure.
Over its history, Vallelunga has welcomed Formula 2, Formula 3000, sports cars, touring cars, GT racing, endurance competition and motorcycle championships, alongside an extensive programme of Italian national racing. Its versatility has allowed the circuit to remain active across changing generations of motorsport rather than becoming dependent upon a single headline championship. Contemporary events continue this tradition through GT, touring car, prototype, historic and motorcycle competition.
The venue’s importance also extends significantly beyond racing. Its varied layout and supporting facilities are used for vehicle testing, manufacturer programmes, driver and rider training and advanced road-safety activities, giving Vallelunga an unusually broad role within the Italian automotive landscape. This combination of competition and technical activity reflects the legacy of Piero Taruffi, the celebrated Italian driver, engineer and record breaker whose name the circuit carries.
Vallelunga therefore represents something different from Italy’s internationally famous Grand Prix venues. While Monza is defined by Formula One and speed, Mugello by its flowing layout and motorcycle heritage, and Misano by international two-wheel competition, Vallelunga functions as one of the working foundations of Italian motorsport—a venue where racing, testing, training and vehicle development coexist throughout the year.
Visitor Experience
Vallelunga offers visitors an authentic Italian motorsport atmosphere.
Race weekends bring together professional teams, club competitors and passionate enthusiasts, while the circuit’s compact layout provides excellent spectator visibility. Throughout the year, visitors can also participate in track days, driving schools, defensive driving courses and manufacturer experiences organised by ACI and automotive brands.
Its proximity to Rome allows motorsport enthusiasts to combine racing with the cultural and historic attractions of Italy’s capital.
Location
The Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi is located near Campagnano di Roma, approximately 35 kilometres north of Rome.
Surrounded by the rolling countryside of Lazio, the circuit enjoys convenient motorway access while remaining closely connected to Italy’s political, cultural and automotive communities.
Address
Via della Mola Maggiorana 4/6
00063 Campagnano di Roma
Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio
Italy
Website