José Marrón, CEO of Tenerife Casinos, Introduces Online Rally Championship Following Launch of Zona Racing Canarias

José Marrón, CEO of Public Companies, Casinos of Tenerife, is thrilled to have inaugurated the new Zona Racing Canarias at the Casino of Santa Cruz, the first professional rally and Formula 1 simulator in the Canary Islands. This project not only expands the leisure offerings on the island but also positions the institution within the exclusive world of eSports, with professional rally simulators and high-level technological experiences. Marrón emphasizes that all this has been made possible thanks to institutional support, particularly from the Vice-Presidency of the Cabildo of Tenerife, who played a pivotal role in authorising the concept.

This space aims to connect with motor enthusiasts in the Canary Islands, offering an immersive experience that goes beyond conventional entertainment. From the simulator software to the race tracks adapted to Tenerife’s routes, users can expect an authentic experience—far from a mere reproduction—of what it means to compete or drive in real conditions.

Beyond the technological aspect, the social and cultural component is noteworthy. It is not just about toys for enthusiasts; it aims to create a meeting point that complements the artistic, cultural, and leisure offerings of Casinos of Tenerife. In this interview with José Marrón, we discover every detail about these simulators and some exclusive insights.

What is Zona Racing Canarias and how did the idea arise?

Answer: The idea was conceived during a professional trip to Madrid, where I had the opportunity to try flight simulators of an F-18. While discussing this with one of my directors, we considered the possibility of not creating a flight simulator, which has a smaller market niche, but rather a racing car simulator. Initially, the plan was for a Formula 1 car, but given the general enthusiasm in the islands (especially in Tenerife) for rally vehicles, we decided to go for a vehicle of that kind. The machine can also be used in a Formula 1 format. We specifically requested that the software’s tracks be from Tenerife and the wider Canary Islands. When we contacted the Inter-island Federation, they thought it was a great idea, and we saw it as an ideal complement to our leisure offerings at the Casino of Santa Cruz, which features an art room called El túnel del arte.

What types of users do you expect will come to Zona Racing Canarias?

Answer: Everyone is invited to participate. If they are one of our clients, that’s fantastic, but we believe it will attract people from the Tenerife society who are connected to the motor world. This is the objective: to broaden the leisure offering we promote through Casinos of Tenerife. In terms of art, we already showcase painting, sculpture, and performing arts. What we’ve done now is create a space dedicated to the racing world, which coexists with other gaming offerings at the casino.

How will access to the racing be structured? Fees, reservations, hours…

Answer: It will operate like another element of the Casino, open from 11:00 to 14:00. The fee is 15 euros for 15 minutes. Participants will be allowed to do two consecutive sessions before taking a break to ensure fair access. Additionally, we are planning a tournament, which we have already discussed with the Inter-island Federation of Motor Racing, and they have shown immediate support.

Have you set a specific time frame for how long it will be available in Tenerife?

Answer: No, this is an investment we have made because we have a lot of faith in it. If it performs well, we will roll it out at the casino in Puerto de la Cruz, where we will begin renovations for a different concept aimed at creating an arts space, featuring performances by singers and an offering of cocktails and a large café. The work starts next week.

This is done through an exclusive agreement with Digalix, how does it work?

Answer: When I inquired about this in Madrid, they connected us with the CEO of Digalix. I explained our idea, and we found a perfect match between what they offer and what we need. The machines are manufactured in Portugal and assembled and distributed from Barcelona. In the casino there, they have eight machines, which initially arrived as a temporary measure, but stayed due to their popularity. There’s often a queue outside before entry, and they operate on a booking system. We haven’t established a booking system yet, but we will do so.

What features would you highlight about a sport like motorsport?

Answer: From my perspective, motorsport is a very egalitarian sport. It allows a man and a woman, as we saw during the inauguration, to compete as driver and co-driver. There are no separate timings for women and men. At the inauguration, we were witness to a promising driver, Sara Dorta, and an already established champion in the Canary Islands, Enrique Cruz.

Are you planning for these simulators to transition from leisure to competition?

Answer: We are indeed going to launch a championship. We are currently in contact with the Federation to establish the rules governing it. It will be open access. Anyone can participate as long as they can meet the minimum technological requirements needed to connect to the platform.

Will it not be held on this simulator then?

Answer: We want to do two things. Firstly, a championship on the simulators, but also via the web with cities from other autonomous communities such as Madrid or Barcelona. Gamers have a world racing championship, where Spain is a strong competitor, and at Casinos of Tenerife, we hold exclusive rights for the Canary Islands for the simulators and their platform to organise the championship.

What prizes will be given?

Answer: This world is not so much about monetary rewards but rather coveted items. For example, the helmet of the pilot who won the Dakar Rally. We will also provide scholarships for existing pilot schools.

When will this competition be operational?

Answer: Ideally, we would like it to be at the beginning of the year. Everyone on my team tells me it will be ready sooner, but I don’t want to make any promises. Everyone is working with a great deal of enthusiasm.

What level of realism do these simulators offer?

Answer: The simulators we have are professional-grade and are exactly as professional as those at the Montmeló circuit. The seat moves, simulating driving on asphalt, and if you go off the track, you feel as if you are driving through dirt. It offers a highly immersive experience, allowing you to experience driving realistically. In Barcelona, even the king tested it. The driver in the demonstration mentioned that the level of realism is so high that the curves are in the exact locations. Everything is mapped using drones, and each segment has been thoroughly tested. The software improves annually. Additionally, there are speakers integrated into the seat, giving an enormous level of realism. The screen is curved, preventing any reflections. The two machines are mounted on a roadway. We will try to bring a prominent driver to promote it in Tenerife—we are considering someone we all know who has a son with a similar name. Hopefully, we can make that happen. We would be delighted.

Aside from this project, Casinos of Tenerife is also making a significant investment in art and culture, isn’t it?

Answer: Well, some might say it’s a commissioner’s endeavour, but I believe it’s Casinos of Tenerife. This wasn’t done before. I believe art and culture have a place, as evidenced by their successful implementation in other casinos across Spain. Our aim in Puerto de la Cruz is to see whether the racing machines attract people and encourage visits, and if so, we plan to add two more simulator machines to the new performing arts offering. If they also perform well there, we will replicate this in Playa de las Américas, where we will incorporate a gastronomic offering, integrating a nearby tapas bar with the casino’s facilities. In Playa de las Américas, the simulators would differ in concept; the north focuses on rally, while the south has a large number of European clients, so the machines will feature Formula 1.

How do you plan to measure this success?

Answer: We started today. We will give ourselves a minimum timeframe of 15 days for evaluation. In the coming months, we will be able to observe market evolution and decide if we can expand this leisure offering to other locations.

Why is Puerto de la Cruz first and then Playa de las Américas?

Answer: Mainly because we want to time it with renovation works that will take place in Puerto de la Cruz and later in Las Américas. The casino of Santa Cruz underwent major renovations during the COVID period. The casino in Puerto de la Cruz sits right above Lake Martiánez; the renovations will be conducted within the building, never affecting the exterior façade. While the building is not classified as a cultural asset, the lake is, and we do not wish to make any distasteful alterations. Our aim is to create a welcoming space where people can enjoy an afternoon of quality music. It’s a robust cultural investment, where there will also be some artwork displayed.

What other artistic exhibitions are planned?

Answer: Next month, we will hold an exhibition every Thursday in Santa Cruz showcasing elements of Armenian art and culture. This will include conferences, cuisine, folklore, and cinema. We have already connected with some Armenian singers interested in lyrical music and are in communication with them via the president of the association of Armenians living in the Canary Islands. We found it intriguing to explore cultures that previously seemed distant and now can be accessed thanks to new technologies.

Will there be more exhibitions of other cultures?

Answer: Yes, undoubtedly. There will be cycles in which we feature exhibitions by local artists as well as international ones. We will start with Armenia, likely follow with a showcase of Canarian watercolourists, and eventually perhaps conclude with a culture from the Americas. The idea is to liven up the space, ensuring it’s not dedicated solely to one activity. Casinos of Tenerife is funded 100% by public capital, and we believe it’s essential to give the benefits back to society. However, it’s important to note that this activity is exclusively for adults as it takes place within a casino.

What feedback have you received from those attending these exhibitions?

Answer: People tell us: “You have a space that isn’t huge, but it’s very inviting and charming.” Currently, we have an exhibition unrelated to the art world but still reflective of culture, focusing on sports, which is also a valid expression. The room is filled with photographs from national and international rallies. The Copy Sport team has provided us with numerous images from the Championship of the Canary Islands, complemented by various elements from rally racing such as suits, notebooks, gloves, and timing devices.