Yahuarcocha endurance race history in Ecuador

On September 26, 1971, Ecuador hosted the inaugural '12 Horas Marlboro,' a significant endurance race held on a rudimentary 10-kilometer circuit around Lake Yahuarcocha in Ibarra. The event brought legendary automotive brands to the country, including Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, Alfa Romeo, and McLaren.

The race was organized by visionaries such as pilot Guillermo Ortega, Kléver Chiriboga, and Orlando Peña, who sought to emulate international endurance legends like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the time, Ecuador was primarily an agrarian nation undergoing political and economic shifts under the administration of José María Velasco Ibarra.

The event had a major impact on local tourism, as thousands of fans traveled to the region. Due to the limited hotel infrastructure in Ibarra at the time, residents of Otavalo and surrounding areas opened their homes to accommodate the influx of spectators.