Reem International Circuit
Reem International Circuit at a glance
- Location
- Riyadh, Riyadh Province
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 3.2 km (1.988 mi)
- Turns
- 12
- Surface
- asphalt (desert-terrain venue)
- Opened
- 2008
- Owner
- Reem Racing (co-founded by racing driver Abdulaziz Al Faisal)
- Website
- reemracing.com
Track map and layout
Reem International Circuit sits on a stretch of desert about 76 km west of Riyadh, named after the Khubayb Al Reem dunes and the rare Al Reem gazelle native to the area. The main layout runs 3.2 km (1.988 mi) over 12 turns; the venue was designed by Raed Abuzinadah, a racing driver and architect who spent two years planning it on-site, with a layout loosely inspired by the Nürburgring. Shorter club and oval configurations are also used at the site alongside the main circuit, and it is built to national FIA-grade standards rather than the top international grade.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Main circuit | 3.20 km | the primary 12-turn, 3.2 km layout used for national championship racing |
| Short circuit | — | a shorter configuration used for club and entry-level events; exact length not published |
| Oval circuit | — | an oval configuration also available at the venue; exact length not published |
Events and race weekends
Reem International Circuit has long served as the hub of Saudi Arabia's domestic racing scene, hosting national one-make and club series such as the Saudi Radical Championship, Bison MINI Cup, Lotus Cup Middle East and Saudi Karting Championship, alongside regional GT and supercar trophy events including the Porsche GT3 Middle East Championship and Lamborghini Superleggera Trophy. It remains primarily a venue for national and regional championships rather than top-tier international motorsport, which in Saudi Arabia is now concentrated at newer venues such as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and the Riyadh Street Circuit.
Getting there and parking
King Khalid International Airport, north of Riyadh, is the main air gateway; from the airport or central Riyadh, the circuit is reached by a roughly 90-minute drive west along the Makkah Highway to Exit 11, then south to the track. There is no public transport link to the venue, so a hire car or arranged transport is necessary.
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) · about 90 min drive
Arrange a hire car or private transport in advance, as the circuit is roughly 76 km from central Riyadh with no public transport connection.
Hotels and camping near Reem International Circuit
There is no hotel accommodation at or immediately near the circuit itself; visitors stay in Riyadh, around 90 minutes away by road, which has the region's full range of hotels.
Where to look
Central Riyadh, roughly 90 minutes from the circuit, is the practical base for visitors; there is no lodging directly at the venue.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Reem International Circuit is used mainly for club racing and national championship events organised through Reem Racing and affiliated clubs and manufacturer one-make series, rather than a commercial pay-per-lap tourist track-day programme. Access for individual track days is arranged through the circuit operator or the relevant national racing club.
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radical 1500cc (unofficial) | 1:14 | — | Radical 1500CC | — |
Spectator guide
As a national club and championship venue rather than a major international circuit, spectator facilities are modest and geared toward domestic race meetings rather than large international crowds.
Weather
- November-March: the cooler racing season in the Riyadh desert, with daytime highs typically around 20-28°C; summer months are extremely hot
History of Reem International Circuit
A desert circuit built for Saudi racing
Reem International Circuit opened in March 2008 on a stretch of desert roughly 76 km west of Riyadh, taking its name from the Khubayb Al Reem dunes and the rare Al Reem gazelle native to the surrounding terrain. The project was co-founded by racing driver Abdulaziz Al Faisal, with backing from his uncle Prince Bandar, and designed by Raed Abuzinadah, a racing driver and architect who spent two years on-site shaping the layout, drawing loose inspiration from Germany's Nürburgring.
The heart of national motorsport
In the years following its opening, Reem became the principal home of organised circuit racing in Saudi Arabia, hosting one-make and club series such as the Saudi Radical Championship, Bison MINI Cup and Lotus Cup Middle East, as well as regional GT and supercar trophy events drawing entries from across the Gulf. For much of its history it was the country's main permanent racing facility at a time when Saudi Arabia had very little organised circuit motorsport.
A changed landscape
Saudi Arabia's rapid expansion into major international motorsport since the late 2010s, including Formula E's Ad Diriyah/Diriyah ePrix, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit's Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and the Riyadh Street Circuit, has shifted the country's highest-profile events away from Reem. The circuit nonetheless continues to operate as an active permanent venue, remaining central to Saudi Arabia's grassroots and national-level racing scene even as newer, larger facilities have taken over the international spotlight.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Reem International Circuit?+
The main layout is 3.2 km (1.988 miles) with 12 turns; shorter club and oval configurations are also available at the venue.
When did Reem International Circuit open?+
The circuit opened on 13 March 2008, designed by Raed Abuzinadah and co-founded by racing driver Abdulaziz Al Faisal.
Is Reem International Circuit still used for racing?+
Yes. It remains an active national venue hosting club and one-make championships, though Saudi Arabia's major international motorsport events, including Formula 1 and Formula E, are now held at newer venues such as Jeddah Corniche Circuit and the Riyadh Street Circuit.
How do I get to Reem International Circuit from Riyadh?+
The circuit is about 76 km west of Riyadh off the Makkah Highway at Exit 11, roughly a 90-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport or central Riyadh; there is no public transport link, so a hire car or arranged transport is needed.
Can the public do track days at Reem International Circuit?+
The circuit is used mainly for club racing and national championship events organised through Reem Racing and affiliated clubs rather than a commercial tourist track-day programme; access for individual sessions is arranged directly with the operator.
Other tracks nearby
- Riyadh Street Circuit, Diriyah · 73 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Bahrain International Circuit · 491 km · road course
- Kuwait Motor Town · 549 km · road course
- Lusail International Circuit · 565 km · road course
- Jeddah Corniche Circuit · 767 km · street circuit
- Yas Marina Circuit · 873 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.