Welcome to Uvalde Proving Grounds
Continental's premier closed-course testing complex
Continental's Uvalde Proving Grounds, one of North America's largest proving grounds, nestled at the base of the picturesque Texas Hill Country, spans approximately 5,000 acres. This expansive facility houses a cutting-edge research and development center along with over 30 specialized test surfaces. For over 50 years, it has stood as a trusted partner, catering to the rigorous demands of testing, validation, and R&D customers. Whether evaluating performance, durability, or safety, Continental's Uvalde Proving Grounds plays a pivotal role in advancing tire technology and excellence.
Contact Info
Continental - Uvalde Proving Grounds
6969 FM 117
Uvalde, TX 78801
UPG Customer Management:
(830) 591-7000
About Our Proving Grounds
Originally built by General Tire in 1959, this unique track has a fascinating history that spans several decades. Beginning with allowing cars to be driven continuously at speeds higher than would have been possible using public highways to becoming a premier test track producing highly reproducible and comparable test results.
Today UPG boasts about 26 paved and off-road courses, and 400 test vehicles including heavy equipment, tractors, passenger cars, light trucks, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers.
- Solid Rock at Uvalde Proving Grounds
- Aerial Sky View of Uvalde Proving Grounds in Texas
- Panoramic View of UPG Test Tracks
- Off-Road Surfaces
- Wet Surfaces
- Car Hugging Asphalt
Course & Facility Overview
- Paved Surfaces
- Off-Road Surfaces
- Facilities
Click here to view map
1. MAIN TRACK - 8.5-mi (13.7-km) Oval
Suitable for testing a wide variety of vehicle components including high speed stability, ADAS development, and endurance testing.
- 3 lanes
- 3.14-mi (5.025-km) turns
- 1.1-mi (1.8-km) straightaways
2. VDAPAD - 15 acre Asphalt Pad
State-of-the-art surface that can be used for testing either dry or wet. It can be cone-configured for any test course preference.
- 800-ft x 800-ft (244-m x 244-m) asphalt pad
- 100-ft (30-ml paved apron
- 2 approaches: 2200-ft (670-m): 1800-ft (549-m)
3. RIDE ROAD - 3-mi (4.8-km) Multi-lane Oval
Featuring various paved surfaces and impacts for measuring ride comfort, impact dampening, noise, suspension durability, and component quality.
- 4 lane straightaway
- Virtually level surface
- 1432-ft (436-m) curve radius
4. DRY HANDLING 1 - 1.07-m (1.72-km) Asphalt Dry Course
Includes multiple curves and a straightaway for feel, lane changing, slaloming, and other maneuvers.
- 6 curve types: 100-ft (30.5-m), to 500-ft (152.4-mi)
- Straightaway: 1200-ft (366-m), 70-ft (21.3-m) wide
5. DRY HANDLING 2 - 1.8-m (2.9-km) Asphalt Dry Course
State-of-the-art asphalt handling course purposed for tire, suspension, steering, powertrain, and ABS/ESC system evaluation for passenger cars, LTs, SUVs & Motorbikes.
- 17 turns with varying radii
- Elevation changes ranging from -2% to +4.1%
- Racetrack inspired sections. e.g., Nurburgring
6. TRACTION LANES - 4900-ft (1494-m) Asphalt and Concrete Lanes
Different surfaces used for wet skid, dry skid, and hydroplaning testing. A water trickle system controls waterflow and depth. This track can be used wet or dry.
- Water depth: Up to .110-in (2.8-mm)
- .375-ln (9.5-mm) In the hydroplaning lane.
7. 200M CIRCLE - 650-ft (200-m) Diameter Wet Asphalt Circle
Simulates hydroplaning on wet curves.
- Water depth: .04-in (1-mm) or up to .4-in (10-mm)
8. 55M CIRCLE - 180-ft (55-m) Diameter Wet Asphalt Circle
Used for both objective/subjective evaluations, including vehicle control systems.
- Water depth: 0.04-in Cl-mm)
- 32.8-ft (10 m) wide
9. WET HANDLING - 5100-ft (1555-m) Wet Asphalt Course
This course simulates challenging wet weather conditions encountered on public roads.
- Water depth: 0.04-ln Cl-mm)
- 20 ft (6.1-ml wide
10. NCB-1 *Not Pictured - 1.1-m (1.78-km) NVH Surface and Sound Site
One of the few ISO 10844 Certified tracks in North America. Ideal for Passenger and Commercial vehicle regulatory tests.
- 490-sqft sound site
- 4 turnarounds
11. COBBLESTONE HILL S - 131-ft (40 m) Cobblestone Slopes
Features 12%. 7% and 5% wet slopes used for subjective grip tests and objective timed climbing tests.
- 13-ft (4-ml wide surfaces
- Made of reclaimed 5 x 7-ln (127 x 178-mml basalt stones
Click here to view map
12. A - COURSE - 2.9-mi (4.7-km) Triangular Course
- Flintstone surface with a rock and sand base.
13. C - COURSE - 0.5-mile (0.8-km) Straightaway Course
- Made of large basalt stones. Intended for earthmover tires.
14. E - COURSE - 1.1-mi (1.7-km) Off-Road Handling Course
- Made of compacted native soil
- Features an alternative .7-mi (1.1-km) route
15. F - COURSE - 1.5-mi (2.4-km) Single Lane Oval
- Trap rock and flintstone surface with a limestone base (caliche).
16. G - COURSE - 2.2-mi (3.5-km) Single Lane Course
- Trap rock and flintstone surface with a limestone base (caliche).
17. K2 - COURSE - 1.9-mi (3-km) Triangular Course
- Limestone surface with a crushed limestone base (caliche).
18. N - COURSE - 2.5-mi (4-km) Course
- Flintstone surface with a rock and hard sand base.
19. 0 - COURSE - Gravel Circle
- Features various gravel sizes ideal for checking stone retention of tread designs.
12. A - COURSE - 2.9-mi (4.7-km) Triangular Course
- Flintstone surface with a rock and sand base.
13. C - COURSE - 0.5-mile (0.8-km) Straightaway Course
- Made of large basalt stones. Intended for earthmover tires.
14. E - COURSE - 1.1-mi (1.7-km) Off-Road Handling Course
- Made of compacted native soil
- Features an alternative .7-mi (1.1-km) route
15. F - COURSE - 1.5-mi (2.4-km) Single Lane Oval
- Trap rock and flintstone surface with a limestone base (caliche).
16. G - COURSE - 2.2-mi (3.5-km) Single Lane Course
- Trap rock and flintstone surface with a limestone base (caliche).
17. K2 - COURSE - 1.9-mi (3-km) Triangular Course
- Limestone surface with a crushed limestone base (caliche).
18. N - COURSE - 2.5-mi (4-km) Course
- Flintstone surface with a rock and hard sand base.
19. 0 - COURSE - Gravel Circle
- Features various gravel sizes ideal for checking stone retention of tread designs.
20. P - COURSE - 2-mi (3.2-km) Serpentine Course
- Flintstone surface with a rock and hard sand base
- Features an alternative 1.1-mi (1.7-km) route
21. R - COURSE - 300-ft (91.4-m) Straight Mud Course
- Native soil and water
- 20-ft (6-m) wide
22. S - COURSE - Off-Road Handling Course
- Native soil featuring a 33% grade concrete hill, large boulder hill climbs, and staggered telephone poles
- Course also includes sand, gravel, and mud pits
23. W - COURSE - Off-Road Handling Course
- Rounded pebble surface with a crushed limestone base (caliche).
24. HILL CLIMB COURSE - Gravel Course
- Features 5°, 10°, and 15° slopes
- Also includes 9° & 15° inclines
25. BAJA COURSE - Off-Road Handling Course
- Native soil serpentine course featuring multiple configurations
- G Building Exterior
- G Building Interior
- Small Conference Room
Liaisons & Technicians
Liaisons are assigned to each customer while on site to ensure any and all needs are met. If needed, a tire technician can also be assigned with access to our mechanic shop, scales, alignment room, forklift, hoist and other equipment.
Service Bays
Secure customer bays are available throughout the facility and come complete with a small office, restroom, vehicle lift, multiple power sources, and a range of equipment found in any standard shop. Large bays for commercial vehicles also available.
EV Charging Capabilities
Multiple charging units can be found on site with further capabilities available through direct power sources located near customer bays. Custom needs can also be met by our on-site facility team.
Conference Areas
Two conference areas are available on the facility grounds, both equipped with projectors and sound.
- Alamo Conference Room comfortably seats 12 people
- Frio Conference Room accomodates up to 100 people and includes kitchen for catering services
Event Hosting
Our team is ready to support you in planning your next big event. From executive meetings to product launches, we can make your vision a reality.