Wikipedia

Brno Circuit

The Masaryk circuit (Czech: Masarykův okruh) or Masarykring, also referred to as the Brno Circuit, refers to two motorsport race tracks located in Brno, Czech Republic. The original street circuit was made up of public roads, and at its longest measured 29.194 km (18.140 mi). The track is named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. In 1949, events such as the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix attracted top teams and drivers. In 1987, the new (current) circuit was opened. The Brno Circuit is historically one of the oldest circuits, on the place were also held the most motorcycle championships in history after the TT Circuit Assen.[2]

Automotodrom Brno

LocationBrno, Czech Republic
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates49°12′17″N 16°27′02″E / 49.20472°N 16.45056°E / 49.20472; 16.45056
FIA Grade2
OwnerShakai (August 2023–present)
Karel Abraham, Sr. (2005–August 2023)
Broke ground1985 (for modern circuit)
Opened1930 (for road circuit)
18 July 1987; 37 years ago (1987-07-18) (for modern circuit)
Major events
Current:
Future:
Former:
Websitehttps://www.automotodrombrno.cz/
Permanent Grand Prix Circuit (1987–present)
Length5.403 km (3.357 miles)
Turns14 (8 right, 6 left)
Race lap record1:36.065 (Ingo Gerstl, Toro Rosso STR1, 2017, BOSS GP/F1)
4th Road Circuit (1975–1986)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length10.925 km (6.789 miles)
Turns29
Race lap record3:29.910 (Johnny Cecotto, Yamaha YZR500 (0W35), 1977, 500cc)
3rd Road Circuit (1964–1974)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length13.941 km (8.663 miles)
Turns40
Race lap record4:57.000 (Gianfranco Bonera, MV Agusta 500 Four, 1974, 500cc)
2nd Road Circuit (1949–1963)
SurfaceAsphalt/Cobbles
Length17.800 km (11.061 miles)
Turns73
Race lap record8:03.000 (Prince Bira/Toulo de Graffenried, Maserati 4CLT/48, 1949, GP)
Original Road Circuit (1930–1948)
SurfaceAsphalt/Cobbles
Length29.194[1] km (18.109 miles)
Turns128[1]
Race lap record11:59.300 (Rudolf Caracciola, Mercedes-Benz W125, 1937, GP)

Original circuits

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The original layout ran anti-clockwise on approximately 29.194 km (18.140 mi) of public roads in the outskirts of Brno, where the start/finish was located in Bosonohy. The circuit went east past Kamenny and then went north past the Bohunice University Campus in Kejbaly, and went through the villages of Libusino, Kohouvotice and Žebětín, out to Ostrovacice, through Veselka and back through a series of fast straights and kinks. From 1930 to 1937, the Masaryk circuit races attracted some of the top drivers and teams.[3]

On September 25, 1949, the race was held for the first and the last time in Czechoslovakia as part of the Grand Prix motor racing (later evolved into Formula One).[4] The Czechoslovakian Grand Prix in 1949 was run clockwise on a shorter 17.800 km (11.060 mi) layout, which turned right at Veselka, bypassed Ostrovacice and entered Žebětín from the south rather than the west. In spite of a crowd in excess of 400,000 people, this would be the last Grand Prix for cars on the old circuit.

Beginning in 1950, the circuit played host to the Czechoslovakian motorcycle Grand Prix, which became a world championship event from 1965. The circuit had been again reduced in length to 13.941 km (8.663 mi) in 1964, completely bypassing Žebětín and using a new through-road that went to Kohoutovice quicker. The European Touring Car series visited in the 1980s, by which time the circuit had been finally reduced to 10.921 km (6.786 mi) in 1975, which exited Kohoutovice from the south and bypassed Libusino and Kejbaly and went right through Kamenny and rejoined the main road back to Bosonohy.

Modern circuit

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The current 5.403 km (3.357 mi) permanent road racing circuit was opened on 18 July 1987.[5] It lies north of Kyvalka, within the bounds of the circuit used in the 1930s, but not incorporating any of the public roads. The motorcycle race moved to the new circuit and regained its status as a round of the world championship. A World Sports Car Championship race was held in 1988, and a round of the A1 Grand Prix series in 2006. It was also the location of the 24H Epilog of Brno (previously 6 Hours of Brno).

The annual Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Czech Republic was the circuit's most important event. It had been held here since 1950 and was the most famous motor race in the Czech Republic. The race was part of the World Grand Prix in the years of 1965–1982, 1987–1991, 1993–2020.

The FIA World Touring Car Championship, FIA GT1 World Championship, Formula Two and the Superbike World Championship also raced at the circuit.

The Czech Republic Motorcycle Grand Prix was more of a promoter event than a profit-raiser itself.[6] Since tobacco advertising has been banned in 2007, it is common among the other MotoGP events. Since August 2023, the circuit is owned by the Czech company Shakai.[7]

Layout history

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Brno Circuit Layout History
  •  
    All layouts of the circuit between 1930 and today combined
  •  
    Brno Circuit (1930–1937)
  •  
    Brno Circuit (1949–1963)
  •  
    Brno Circuit (1964–1974)
  •  
    Brno Circuit (1975–1986)
  •  
    Brno Circuit (1987–present)

Events

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Current
Future
Former

Lap records

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The unofficial lap record is 1:34.700 set by Jérôme d'Ambrosio in Renault R29 Formula One car in 2010. As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the modern layout of Brno Circuit are listed as:[8]

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 5.403 km (1987–present)[9]
BOSS GP/F1 1:36.065[8][10] Ingo Gerstl Toro Rosso STR1 2017 Brno BOSS GP Series round
Auto GP/A1GP 1:43.260[11] Luca Filippi Lola B05/52 2010 Brno Auto GP round
Formula Renault 3.5 1:44.591[12] Daniel Ricciardo Dallara T08 2010 Brno Formula Renault 3.5 round
BOSS GP/GP2 1:44.940[10] Johann Ledermair Dallara GP2/11 2017 Brno BOSS GP Series round
F2 (2009–2012) 1:48.246 Nicola de Marco Williams JPH1 2010 Brno Formula Two round
International Formula Master 1:49.733[13] Josef Král Tatuus N.T07 2009 Brno Formula Master round
Group C1 1:49.770[14] Mauro Baldi Sauber C9 1988 360 km of Brno
F3000 1:49.798[15] Maro Engel Lola B02/50 2005 Brno Italian F3000 round
LMP900 1:51.858[16] Jan Lammers Dome S101 2002 Brno FIA Sportscar Championship round
Formula Three 1:52.595[17] Jamie Green Dallara F303 2004 Brno F3 Euro Series Round
GT1 (GTS) 1:53.106[8][18] Marcel Fässler Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
DTM 1:54.786[19] Martin Tomczyk Audi A4 DTM 2005 2005 Brno DTM round
Group C2 1:54.960[14] Costas Los Spice SE87C 1988 360 km of Brno
CN 1:55.471[20] Siegmar Pfeifer Norma M20-FC 2017 Brno FIA CEZ Circuit Championship round
MotoGP 1:56.027[8] Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 2014 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 2.0 1:56.226[21] Arthur Pic Barazi-Epsilon FR2.0-10 2010 Brno Formula Renault Eurocup 2.0 round
LMP675 1:57.389[22] Roberto Tonetti Lucchini SR2001 2001 Brno FIA Sportscar Championship round
LMP2 1:57.988[23] Miro Konôpka Ligier JS P217 2021 Brno ESET Cup round
GT2 1:58.193[8][18] Richard Westbrook Porsche 911 (997) GT3-RSR 2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
World SBK 1:59.291[8] Cal Crutchlow Yamaha YZF-R1 2010 Brno World SBK round
LMP3 1:59.728[24] Miro Konôpka Ligier JS P320 2022 Brno ESET Cup Endurance round
GT3 2:01.012[25] Rolf Ineichen Lamborghini Huracán GT3 2016 24H Epilog Brno
FIA GT Group 2 2:01.107[18] Bas Leinders Gillet Vertigo 2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
500cc 2:01.461[8] Valentino Rossi Honda NSR500 2001 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto2 2:01.463 Álex Márquez Kalex Moto2 2019 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 2:02.299[8] Jorge Lorenzo Aprilia RSW 250 2007 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP 2:02.708 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha YZF-R6 2009 Brno World SSP round
Formula 4 2:03.037[26] Michael Sauter Tatuus F4-T421 2023 Brno Formula 4 CEZ round
N-GT 2:04.127[27] Stéphane Ortelli Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RSR 2004 FIA GT Brno 500km
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:04.595[28] Eduardas Klepikas Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe round
Formula BMW 2:04.624[29] Sebastian Vettel Mygale FB02 2004 Brno Formula BMW ADAC round
Ferrari Challenge 2:04.952[30] Michelle Gatting Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo 2021 Brno Ferrari Challenge round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy 2:05.930[31] Nicky Catsburg Renault Mégane Renault Sport II 2010 Brno Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Group A 2:07.160[32] Keke Rosberg Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2 1992 Brno DTM round
Super Touring 2:07.522[33] Nicola Larini Alfa Romeo 156 D2 2001 Brno ESTC round
125cc 2:07.836[8] Lucio Cecchinello Aprilia RS125R 2003 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto3 2:08.064[8] Romano Fenati KTM RC250GP 2014 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
GT4 2:08.724[34] Sascha Halek KTM X-Bow GT4 2016 Brno FIA CEZ Circuit Championship round
Super 2000 2:10.108[8][35] Félix Porteiro BMW 320si WTCC 2008 FIA WTCC Race of the Czech Republic
SEAT León Supercopa 2:11.840[36] Maťo Homola SEAT León Cup Racer 2015 Brno ETC round
TCR Touring Car 2:13.320[37] Bartosz Groszek Audi RS 3 LMS TCR 2021 Brno TCR Eastern Europe Trophy round
Supersport 300 2.17.827[38] Imanuel Putra Pratna Yamaha YZF-R3 2018 Brno Supersport 300 round
Renault Clio Cup 2:22.574[39] Cristian Riccarini Renault Clio III RS 2010 Brno Adria Clio Cup round
Super 1600 2:26.195[40] Gilles Bruckner Ford Fiesta ST 2013 Brno ETC round
4th Road Circuit: 10.925 km (1975–1986)[9]
500cc 3:29.690 Johnny Cecotto Yamaha YZR500 (0W35) 1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 2 3:31.190[41] Dieter Quester BMW 3.0 CSL 1975 Brno ETCC round
Group A 3:32.080[42] Anders Olofsson Volvo 240 Turbo 1986 Brno ETCC round
350cc 3:39.900 Johnny Cecotto Yamaha TZ 350 1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 3:46.890 Walter Villa Harley-Davidson RR250 1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Sidecar (B2A) 3:50.960 Werner Schwärzel Aro sidecar 1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 4:00.010[43] Guy Bertin Motobécane 125 1979 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
50cc 4:48.650 Ricardo Tormo Bultaco TSS 50 1978 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
3rd Road Circuit: 13.941 km (1964–1974)[9]
500cc 4:57.000 Gianfranco Bonera MV Agusta 500 Four 1974 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 2 4:59.100[44] Jochen Mass Ford Capri RS 2600 1972 Brno ETCC round
350cc 5:07.100 Teuvo Länsivuori Yamaha TZ 350 1973 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 5:13.700 Bill Ivy Yamaha 250 V4 1967 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 5 5:18.300[45] Helmut Marko Chevrolet Camaro 1969 Brno ETCC round
125cc 5:30.500 Yoshimi Katayama Yamaha AS1 1967 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
50cc 6:22.100 Henk van Kessel Kreidler 50 GP 1974 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
2nd Road Circuit: 17.800 km (1949–1963)[9]
Grand Prix 8:03.000[46] Prince Bira[a]
Toulo de Graffenried[a]		 Maserati 4CLT/48 1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
Original Road Circuit: 29.194 km (1930–1948)[9]
Grand Prix 11:59.300[47] Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz W125 1937 Masaryk Grand Prix
Voiturette 14:55.000[48] Giuseppe Farina Maserati 4CM 1934 Masaryk Grand Prix
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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Both drivers took the fastest lap independently.

References

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  1. ^ a b Ing. A. Závodník, Masarykův okruh závodní, 1930
  2. ^ "Brněnská Grand Prix je v oblibě. Ať spraví asfalt, říká ale Kornfeil". Brněnský deník (in Czech). 6 August 2019.
  3. ^ Ivan Margolius, 'Czechoslovakia's First Circuit', The Automobile, August 2019, pp. 48 - 54
  4. ^ "Formule 1 na území Česka? Jednou se zde královský závod jel!". Garaz.cz (in Czech).
  5. ^ "Masarykův okruh má narozeniny. Podívejte se na porovnání minulosti a současnosti". Deník (in Czech). 18 July 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Brno extends MotoGP contract until 2013". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 5 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  7. ^ "The Masaryk Circuit Has Been Acquired By Shakai, A Company Led By The Entrepreneur Karel Hubáček". www.automotodrombrno.cz. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Brno Track Records". www.automotodrombrno.cz. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Brno - Motorsport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  10. ^ a b "2017 Masaryk Racing Days - Podzimní Cena - BOSS GP Race 2" (PDF). 10 September 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  11. ^ "2010 Brno Auto GP". Motor Sport Magazine. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  12. ^ "2010 Round 4: Brno - Formula Renault 3.5 Series - Race 2 (44'+1 Lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 6 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  13. ^ "2009 Brno Formula Master". Motor Sport Magazine. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  14. ^ a b "1988 360 km of Brno". 10 July 1988. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  15. ^ "2005 Brno Italian F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 5 June 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  16. ^ "2002 FIA Sportscar Championship Brno". 19 May 2002. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  17. ^ "2004 Brno European F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 19 September 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  18. ^ a b c "2008 FIA GT Championship Brno". 14 September 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  19. ^ "DTM 2005 » Brno Circuit Round 4 Results". 5 June 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  20. ^ "2017 Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena M FIA Zone CE - MM ČR D4 + D5 Sprint + CEZ > 2000 ccm 1.Závod/Race - VER.2 Závod (25:00 (hh):mm:ss) - start v 11:03:22" (PDF). 9 September 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  21. ^ "2010 Round 3: Brno - Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 - Race 2 (25'+1 Lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 6 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  22. ^ "2001 FIA Sportscar Championship Brno". 1 July 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena 2021 - FIA CEZ D4 GT/TC-3.5/ESET CUP/TC-CRO-3.5/SCC/P9 - 2. Závod/Race 2" (PDF). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena 2022 - Endurance FIA CEZ - Závod/Race" (PDF). 10 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Hankook 24H Epilogue Brno 2016 Race Results" (PDF). 16 October 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  26. ^ "Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena 2023 - F4 CEZ Championship Race 1" (PDF). 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  27. ^ "FIA GT Championship Brno 2004". 30 May 2004. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  28. ^ "2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe Round 5 Brno - PSCCE 100 Miles of Czech Republic - Result of Race" (PDF). 21 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  29. ^ "2004 Formula BMW ADAC Brno (Race 2)". 19 September 2004. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  30. ^ "2021 Trofeo Pirelli - Brno Race 2 (30') - Final Classification" (PDF). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  31. ^ "2010 Round 2: Brno - Eurocup Mégane Trophy - Race 2 (40' +1 lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 6 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » Brno Circuit Round 16 Results". 12 July 1992. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  33. ^ "2001 Brno ETCC - Round 4". Motor Sport Magazine. 16 April 2001. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  34. ^ "2016 Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena M FIA Zone CE - MM ČR D4 + D5 Sprint + CEZ > 2000 ccm 2.Závod/Race Závod (25:00 (hh):mm:ss) - start v 13:15:28" (PDF). 11 September 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  35. ^ "WTCC 2008 » Brno Circuit Round 9 Results". 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  36. ^ "ETC Cup 2015 » Brno Circuit Round 7 Results". 6 September 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Masaryk Racing Days - TCR Eastern Europe - Race 2 Results" (PDF). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Supersport 300 - Acerbis Czech Round, 8-10 June 2018 - Race Results" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  39. ^ "2010 Brno - Clio Cup - Race 1 (25') - Final Classification" (PDF). 5 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  40. ^ "ETC Cup 2013 » Brno Round 10 Results". 6 October 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  41. ^ "1975 Brno ETCC". Motor Sport Magazine. 18 May 1975. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  42. ^ "1986 Brno ETCC". Motor Sport Magazine. 8 June 1986. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  43. ^ "Edición del Monday 20 August de 1979, Página 31". 20 August 1979. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  44. ^ "Grand Prix Brno 1972". 21 May 1972. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  45. ^ "Grand Prix Brno 1969". 25 May 1969. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  46. ^ "1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix". Motor Sport Magazine. 25 September 1949. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  47. ^ "1937 Masaryk Grand Prix". Motor Sport Magazine. 26 September 1937. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  48. ^ "1934 Brno Voiturette". Motor Sport Magazine. 30 September 1934. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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