Jorge Panadés, Motorland manager: “The economic return is proven and MotoGP is an ideal event”

Jorge Panadés from Alcañiz has been the manager of Motorland Aragón since last April. He was previously the circuit’s financial director and is now trying to promote the virtues of the Bajo Aragón track.

In an interview with this newspaper, he analyses his first eight months in office and takes the opportunity to take stock of 2024. He also talks about the importance of MotoGP , the questioned economic return of the circuit and the prospects for the upcoming 2025.

QUESTION:  8 months since you took over as manager of Motorland Aragón . Have they been as you expected?
ANSWER: The truth is that they have been very intense. Since I was appointed we have already started working on the first tests that were to take place in those months. Of course, above all with an eye on the MotoGP Grand Prix and the Superbike World Championship. The year has been very intense, I didn’t expect anything less, but I have been with the company for many years and I already knew what the evolution would be. I am very happy.

Q.- You already knew the company after being the financial director and it is also local, in Alcañiz, but… What has surprised you the most?
A.- It has been a significant qualitative leap, you have moved to a different level. It is true that I knew the company and I had a small team of people within the Administration department under my charge, but of course… you now have to manage a group of 50 people. You have more people under your charge and although you trust your middle managers, you have to supervise everything, not just your area. Regarding your question, I was surprised by the amount of resources that the Aragon GP consumes . You have to be aware of many things. From above you see all the connections that exist between departments: there are meetings with Dorna, the City Council, the DGA, Safety Boards…

Q.- Have there been any significant changes in the structure of Motorland since your arrival?
A.- We are working on it, yes. The first thing was to strengthen the GP and we have achieved this . It was a great GP and in the case of Superbikes new things have also been done. At the structural level we are still the same but some positions that were pending have been filled. What we want to do now for the future is to continue strengthening the facility, both at the infrastructure level and at the sporting level and also in connection, of course, with the Motor Technology Park (Technopark). It is also an important piece and we are in continuous talks to strengthen that part. These are the lines to follow.

Q.- What is your relationship like with Technopark?
A.- I have always had a very good relationship with the management (managed by Daniel Urquizu) and it is still excellent. We are aligned with what we want for the facility and we help each other and talk almost daily. It will be productive for the future.

MotoGP is a showcase for brand image

Q.- You were talking about MotoGP earlier… 2024 has been important because of the return of the Aragon GP. How important is the world championship for Motorland?
A.-  You have to consider two aspects, the sporting aspect and the aspect of the facility itself . There is no doubt about the image that is projected. MotoGP is a showcase for your brand image. Success in organising this event helps you on a day-to-day basis because it gives an image of quality and good work. This is reflected when it comes to attracting other competitions and also testing.

Q.-  And from there to the direct impact on the area…
A.- Exactly. We receive thousands of fans and not just that weekend. It is a constant pull in favour of Alcañiz at a professional and amateur level that creates wealth around the circuit. They are jobs and it is very important. We have heritage, motorcycle routes… There are other activities that can be carried out throughout the year that are attractive all year round and we should take advantage of them.

Q.- The report published by the Aragon Institute for Development (IAF) estimates the economic impact of Motorland at 47 million euros per year in which the Aragon Grand Prix is ​​held. Are you worried in the medium term that the world championship event at the Alcañiz circuit may not be held?
A.- It is guaranteed for 2025 and 2026 for now. Liberty Media is going to acquire the rights to MotoGP and we have to continue to give arguments that we are doing things well. If that happens, there should be no reason for the Grand Prix to disappear. It is also important that the Government of Aragon supports it and Motorland. And it does. After all, a significant financial outlay must be made, but it also has a return. We must continue to offer good organisation and attract thousands of people. MotoGP is an ideal event for Motorland and it must be maintained, it puts us in a very good position.

Q.-  Despite this, the fee paid for the world championship (around 5 million euros) gives arguments to those who are against the circuit, which is publicly owned. What would you say to them?
A.- Motorland comes from Alcañiz and its history and connection with the world of motorsports. It was a commitment by the Government of Aragon and it has been proven that the Grand Prix has an economic return. And not just that weekend. It attracts competitions, tests… This year we had a three-month break due to resurfacing, but in 2023 we did 266 days of activity. The occupancy is very good and the investment is for the future of the territory. We have to see it that way.

It is proven that the Grand Prix has an economic return

Q. – This week the actions included in FITE 2024 will be announced. Motorland is usually the protagonist. What do you expect?
A. – As I said, the Government of Aragon is supporting Motorland and we have a series of actions planned to improve the infrastructures that enhance the user experience. We hope to be able to carry out actions at the accesses. Our focus is on the user and we want to support and promote the facility.

Q. – Fernando Alonso, two-time Formula-1 world champion, has been present at Motorland for the second consecutive year. He confirms the good work done at the Bajo Aragon track.
A. – We are used to seeing great figures from the world of motor racing, perhaps more so from the world of motorcycling. Another thing is that we cannot make it known. Alonso has been there with his driver agency and we are delighted that he is coming. We are talking about an F-1 driver for whom any small mistake has an impact and they seek maximum quality. We are giving it to him. He came last year and has repeated on the speed circuit and has also been on the karting and dirt circuits.

The Government of Aragon is supporting Motorland and we have a series of actions planned to improve the infrastructure that will enhance the user experience.

Q.- Marc Márquez has been seen in Alcañiz on other occasions …
A.- Yes, he also comes with his friends. They help us to project our image because they are committed to quality installations and they see that the services we offer meet their highest standards.

Q.- Another of the challenges of the year was the creation of an Advisory Board. Have you made progress in this?
A. There are some people assigned and the objective is to help promote Motorland and generate ideas that will strengthen the facility.

Q.- 2025 is about to start… What are your prospects?
A.- We have an interesting year ahead. We now have 19 events of all kinds. National, international, regional… MotoGP and Superbikes monopolise the calendar, but we are adding two new events. One is the Spanish Rallycross Championship that the Spanish Federation wants to promote and the other is an international event called Ultimate Cup with GT vehicles and Le Mans prototypes. It is one more incentive to add and to complete our calendar. We don’t only have MotoGP.