Tulum Air Show And NASCAR Oval Weekend

Construction has begun on the temporary oval that will host the NASCAR México Series in Tulum, Quintana Roo, as the region prepares for a packed weekend that will also feature the Tulum Air Show 2026 at the new international airport and nearby military base.

The motorsport event, scheduled for April 25 and 26, will mark the arrival of the series to a purpose built oval layout in Tulum. At the same time, aerial demonstrations, parachute jumps and an international safety congress will seek to position the new airport as a reference point for tourism and aviation in the Mexican Caribbean.

According to project leaders, the assembly of the oval has reached a key stage with the placement of the final concrete segments that will define the perimeter of the circuit. These elements form the containment structure around the racing surface and are designed to be installed and later removed without leaving a permanent footprint.

Mario Ruisánchez explained that the last dovela, or precast segment, was set at the start of the week at a camp located roughly two kilometers from the construction site. From that camp, the pieces are lifted onto platforms using a specialized crane that can safely handle the weight and dimensions of four segments at a time.

From there, the platforms move toward the future track, where a forklift transfers each segment to its designated position. The pieces are placed around the perimeter of the oval and will serve as the base for the safety barriers that separate the racing cars from spectator areas and support zones.

Each segment includes mounting ears at its ends, designed to receive pipes built to cédula 40 specifications. Those pipes will rise roughly two meters above the top of the dovelas. A chain link fence will be installed along this structure, reinforced with steel cables placed every 40 centimeters to increase resistance in case of contact.

Ruisánchez added that the construction team currently consists of about 25 workers, most of them from the surrounding area. That local workforce, he noted, is one of the immediate economic benefits that NASCAR México Series brings to the state through short term jobs and specialized labor requirements.

Over the coming weekend, an additional group of about 20 workers is expected to join the project as organizers push to have the oval fully assembled by the Wednesday before the race. The schedule aims to leave enough time for final inspections, safety checks and initial on track activities.

On the sporting side, series director Jimmy Morales described the Tulum 100 as an event that seeks to stand out within Mexican motorsport. He said the race will not only feature the main Mexican drivers from NASCAR México Series but will also include several international competitors who have already confirmed their participation.

Morales compared the April race to a modern version of a Roman circus, where chariots once entertained crowds with close battles and physical contact. In Tulum, he said, that intensity will be reproduced with contemporary race cars generating more than 400 horsepower in a compact oval setting designed for constant action.

Parallel to the oval construction and race preparations, the Tulum Air Show 2026 is being organized for April 23 to 26 at Base Aérea Militar 20, which operates in coordination with the Tulum International Airport. The program will combine free public displays with technical and institutional activities aimed at the aviation sector.

The main air show is scheduled for April 25 and 26 at the airport, with free access for attendees. The program will include aerobatic demonstrations by the Mexican Air Force, parachute jumps by teams such as the Guerreros Águila and static exhibitions of aircraft and equipment.

Organizers expect the event to attract families, aviation enthusiasts and visitors who will already be in the region for the NASCAR México Series weekend. The combination of motorsport and air displays is designed to create a unified attraction that showcases both the new airport infrastructure and the broader tourism offer in Tulum.

In addition to the aerial shows, the Tulum Air Show 2026 includes a series of parallel events. On April 23 and 24, an International Air Safety Congress will bring together specialists, authorities and industry representatives to address topics related to operations, regulation and future trends. During those same days, the official launch of FAMEX 2027 is planned, adding a forward looking dimension to the program.

Although access to the air show will be free, authorities recommend prior registration for designated areas in order to organize capacity, security and logistics. By contrast, the NASCAR México Series race will be a paid event, with different ticket categories managed by the series and its local partners.

Both initiatives share a strategic objective. They aim to position the new Tulum International Airport and the surrounding infrastructure as a hub for tourism, large format events and aviation activity in the Caribbean region, while offering residents and visitors a weekend that combines high speed racing and aerial exhibitions in the same destination.

Would you attend a weekend that combines an oval NASCAR race with a major air show at the Tulum airport, or follow the action from a distance? Join the conversation and share your perspective with us on Instagram and Facebook at @thetulumtimes.