Parliament votes this Wednesday project to commemorate the national day of sports motoring on September 11
This Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies will vote on the project presented by the nationalist representative Pedro Jisdonian, who proposes that September 11 be commemorated as National Motor Racing Day. The date was not chosen at random, explained the deputy, but it was the day that one of the best motorists Uruguay had: Gonzalo “Gonchi” Rodríguez lost his life.
The project was approved in commission and, according to Jisdonian, it has great support from the “Gonchi Rodríguez” Foundation, which seeks to give another meaning to that special date, and from the different motoring associations. During the vote, which will begin at 4:30 p.m., the president of the Uruguayan Automobile Club will be present, as well as members of the Uruguayan Association of Steering Wheels, the Uruguayan Rally Club, the Uruguayan Karting Federation, the Association of Sport Cars and Classic, and other exponents of motoring.
“Motor racing is a super important activity for the sport and it moves many people, not only the drivers but also the mechanics, those who sell parts and pieces, as well as the gastronomic and hotel sector that moves a lot when there are activities in the interior,” Jisdonian said.
It was in 1913 when the first sports car race was held, between Villa Colón and Salto. Over the years, the competitions have evolved thanks to the initiative of motor fans and the fundamental support of private players.
It was a race that throughout history crossed finish lines until it became a reality: street layouts that became tracks until the autodromes were completed; evolution of cars and incorporation of new categories; arrival of famous international pilots such as Fangio or Gálvez. And the appearance of Uruguayan pilots who achieved international conquests.
A great passion was woven around motorsports, which is also an activity that generates a large number of direct jobs and also activates the automotive industry. The goal with the project is to recognize this activity.
Regarding the date, the idea of Jisdonian and the “Gonchi” Rodríguez Foundation is to give another meaning to the date of death of the Uruguayan driver, who was one of the main exponents and figures of Uruguayan motorsports. Born in 1971, son of former Tourism and Rally champion Rubén Jorge Rodríguez, he was crowned Karting champion at the age of 14. That was the start towards a series of conquests in the national Formula Renault, GEMO and Turismo Nacional categories.
In 1992 he began his rise in European competitions, passing through categories in Spain and Great Britain to reach Formula 3000 in 1997, with victories at the mythical circuits of SPA-Francorchamp, Nürburgring and Monaco. Two years later he made it to the United States CART class. Competing in the Laguna Seca circuit, on September 11, 1999, the accident that ended the life of the Uruguayan pilot occurred.
