Residents of Guanacaste, start your engines. The loud roar you hear is the sound of Costa Rica’s future racetrack at Finca La Ponderosa in Bagaces, about 24 kilometers away from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR). According to a recent news article by Ariel Chaves Gonzalez of Diario Extra, racing could begin later this year.

It has been a few months since Costa Rica’s days of thunder were silenced with the sale of the legendary La Guacima racetrack in the province of Alajuela to media leviathan Grupo Nacion. Although the new owners of the speedway have promised that racing will resume in the near future, teams and fans are feeling the need for speed. They don’t want to limit their options to illegal rally competitions in Jaco Beach, which is why they are ready to build a new racetrack in Guanacaste.

According to the Diario Extra news report, the intention to develop a racetrack at La Ponderosa comes from Carlos Arroyo, owner of the Grupo Mapache development group known for its intention to develop the ultimate country-club style residential community in Guanacaste. The vision for Ranch La Ponderosa includes a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a racquet club, an equestrian neighborhood, and even a semi-private international airport.

Mr. Arroyo has reportedly met with various racing teams that used to ply their trade at La Guacima for the purpose of defining a development course for the new speedway. Years ago, a rally competition was held at La Ponderosa, but Mr. Arroyo claims that there are now more than three kilometers of paved road that could be used for racing until a formal raceway can be developed.

A spokesman for race car drivers interested in finding a viable solution until La Guacima reopens told Diario Extra that he is pleased to have an alternative to being forced to race outside of Costa Rica. He thinks that La Ponderosa would be more family-friendly than La Guacima, and would offer a more attractive setting for racing fans who are also interested in spending time at the beach. The Costa Rican Motor Sports Federation has yet to comment on this issue.