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). In 1949, events such as the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix attracted top teams and drivers. The track is named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Racing on the old roads ended after 1986, when the new (current) circuit was opened. Since August 2023, the circuit is owned by Shakai.[2]

Automotodrom Brno

LocationBrno, Czech Republic
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates49°12′17″N 16°27′02″E
FIA Grade2
OwnerShakai (August 2023–present)
Karel Abraham, Sr. (2005–August 2023)
Broke ground1985 (for modern circuit)
Opened1930 (for road circuit)
18 July 1987 (1987-07-18) (for modern circuit)
Major events
Current:
  • TCR Europe (2024)
  • TCR Eastern Europe Trophy (2019–2021, 2023–present)
Former:
  • Grand Prix motorcycle racing
    Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
    (1965–1982, 1987–1991, 1993–2020)
  • World SBK
    (1993–1996, 2005–2012, 2018)
  • WTCC
    Race of the Czech Republic (2006–2011)
  • FIM EWC (2001–2003)
  • Sidecar World Championship
    (1969–1982, 1987–1991, 1993–1997)
  • DTM (2004–2005)
  • FIA GT1 (2010)
  • FIA GT (2000–2008)
  • A1 Grand Prix (2006–2007)
  • FIA Sportscar Championship
    Brno 2 Hours 30 Minutes (1997–2002)
  • Czechoslovakian Grand Prix (1930–1935, 1937, 1949, 1976–1988)
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

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

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. 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.[7]

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

Events
Current
  • April: Jarná Cena Brna
  • May: Histo-Cup Austria Brno Historic
  • July: Alpe Adria International Motorcycle Championship, Brno Revival Grand Prix
  • September: TCR Europe Touring Car Series, TCR Eastern Europe Trophy, Formula 4 CEZ Championship, Velká Cena Bohumila Staši
Former

Lap records

The unofficial lap record is 1.34:700 set by Jérôme d'Ambrosio in Renault R29 Formula One car in 2010. As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the modern layout of Brno Circuit are listed as:[8]

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit: 5.403 km (1987–present)
BOSS GP/F11:36.065[8][9]Ingo GerstlToro Rosso STR12017 Brno BOSS GP Series round
Auto GP/A1GP1:43.260[10]Luca FilippiLola B05/522010 Brno Auto GP round
Formula Renault 3.51:44.591[11]Daniel RicciardoDallara T082010 Brno Formula Renault 3.5 round
F2 (2009–2012)1:48.246Nicola de MarcoWilliams JPH12010 Brno Formula Two round
International Formula Master1:49.733[12]Josef KrálTatuus N.T072009 Brno Formula Master round
Group C11:49.770[13]Mauro BaldiSauber C91988 360 km of Brno
F30001:49.798[14]Maro EngelLola B02/502005 Brno Italian F3000 round
LMP9001:51.858[15]Jan LammersDome S1012002 Brno FIA Sportscar Championship round
Formula 31:52.595[16]Jamie GreenDallara F3032004 Brno F3 Euro Series Round
GT1 (GTS)1:53.106[8][17]Marcel FässlerChevrolet Corvette C6.R2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
DTM1:54.786[18]Martin TomczykAudi A4 DTM 20052005 Brno DTM round
Group C21:54.960[13]Costas LosSpice SE87C1988 360 km of Brno
CN1:55.471[19]Siegmar PfeiferNorma M20-FC2017 Brno FIA CEZ Circuit Championship round
MotoGP1:56.027[8]Dani PedrosaHonda RC213V2014 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 2.01:56.226[20]Arthur PicBarazi-Epsilon FR2.0-102010 Brno Formula Renault Eurocup 2.0 round
LMP6751:57.389[21]Roberto TonettiLucchini SR20012001 Brno FIA Sportscar Championship round
GT21:58.193[8][17]Richard WestbrookPorsche 911 (997) GT3-RSR2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
World SBK1:59.291[8]Cal CrutchlowYamaha YZF-R12010 Brno World SBK round
GT32:01.012[22]Rolf IneichenLamborghini Huracán GT32016 24H Epilog Brno
FIA GT Group 22:01.107[17]Bas LeindersGillet Vertigo2008 FIA GT Brno 2 Hours
500cc2:01.461[8]Valentino RossiHonda NSR5002001 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto22:01.463Álex MárquezKalex Moto22019 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc2:02.299[8]Jorge LorenzoAprilia RSW 2502007 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP2:02.708Cal CrutchlowYamaha YZF-R62009 Brno World SSP round
Formula 42:03.037[23]Michael SauterTatuus F4-T4212023 Brno Formula 4 CEZ round
N-GT2:04.127[24]Stéphane OrtelliPorsche 911 (996) GT3-RSR2004 FIA GT Brno 500km
Formula BMW2:04.624[25]Sebastian VettelMygale FB022004 Brno Formula BMW ADAC round
Ferrari Challenge2:04.952[26]Michelle GattingFerrari 488 Challenge Evo2021 Brno Ferrari Challenge round
Porsche Carrera Cup2:05.499[27]Colin BönighausenPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2022 Brno Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy2:05.930[28]Nicky CatsburgRenault Mégane Renault Sport II2010 Brno Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Group A2:07.160[29]Keke RosbergMercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo21992 Brno DTM round
Super Touring2:07.522[30]Nicola LariniAlfa Romeo 156 D22001 Brno ESTC round
125cc2:07.836[8]Lucio CecchinelloAprilia RS125R2003 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto32:08.064[8]Romano FenatiKTM RC250GP2014 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
GT42:08.724[31]Sascha HalekKTM X-Bow GT42016 Brno FIA CEZ Circuit Championship round
Super 20002:10.108[8][32]Félix PorteiroBMW 320si WTCC2008 FIA WTCC Race of the Czech Republic
TCR Touring Car2:13.320[33]Bartosz GroszekAudi RS 3 LMS TCR2021 Brno TCR Eastern Europe Trophy round
Supersport 3002.17.827[34]Imanuel Putra PratnaYamaha YZF-R32018 Brno Supersport 300 round
Northern Talent Cup2:18.379[35]Jakub GureckýKTM 250 FRR2020 Brno Northern Talent Cup round
Renault Clio Cup2:23.189[36]Alfred Kramer, Jr.Renault Clio R.S. IV2016 Brno Eset Tourenwagen Cup round
Super 16002:26.195[37]Gilles BrucknerFord Fiesta ST2013 Brno ETC round
4th Road Circuit: 10.925 km (1975–1986)
500cc3:29.690Johnny CecottoYamaha YZR500 (0W35)1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 23:31.190[38]Dieter QuesterBMW 3.0 CSL1975 Brno ETCC round
Group A3:32.080[39]Anders OlofssonVolvo 240 Turbo1986 Brno ETCC round
350cc3:39.900Johnny CecottoYamaha TZ 3501977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc3:46.890Walter VillaHarley-Davidson RR2501977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Sidecar (B2A)3:50.960Werner SchwärzelAro sidecar1977 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc4:00.010[40]Guy BertinMotobécane 1251979 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
50cc4:48.650Ricardo TormoBultaco TSS 501978 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
3rd Road Circuit: 13.941 km (1964–1974)
500cc4:57.000Gianfranco BoneraMV Agusta 500 Four1974 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 24:59.100[41]Jochen MassFord Capri RS 26001972 Brno ETCC round
350cc5:07.100Teuvo LänsivuoriYamaha TZ 3501973 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc5:13.700Bill IvyYamaha 250 V41967 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 55:18.300[42]Helmut MarkoChevrolet Camaro1969 Brno ETCC round
125cc5:30.500Yoshimi KatayamaYamaha AS11967 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
50cc6:22.100Henk van KesselKreidler 50 GP1974 Czechoslovak motorcycle Grand Prix
2nd Road Circuit: 17.800 km (1949–1963)
Grand Prix8:03.000[43]Prince Bira[lower-alpha 1]
Toulo de Graffenried[lower-alpha 1]		Maserati 4CLT/481949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
Original Road Circuit: 29.194 km (1930–1948)
Grand Prix11:59.300[44]Rudolf CaracciolaMercedes-Benz W1251937 Masaryk Grand Prix
Voiturette14:55.000[45]Giuseppe FarinaMaserati 4CM1934 Masaryk Grand Prix


See also

Notes
  1. Both drivers took the fastest lap independently.

References
  1. Ing. A. Závodník, Masarykův okruh závodní, 1930
  2. "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.
  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. "Brněnská Grand Prix je v oblibě. Ať spraví asfalt, říká ale Kornfeil". Brněnský deník (in Czech). 6 August 2019.
  8. "Brno Track Records". www.automotodrombrno.cz. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  9. "2017 Masaryk Racing Days - BOSS GP Race 2". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. "2010 Brno Auto GP". Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  11. "2010 Brno Formula Renault 3.5 - Round 7". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  12. "2009 Brno Formula Master". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  13. "1988 360 km of Brno". Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  14. "2005 Brno Italian F3000". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  15. "2002 FIA Sportscar Championship Brno". Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  16. "2004 Brno European F3". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  17. "2008 FIA GT Championship Brno". Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  18. "DTM 2005 » Brno Circuit Round 4 Results". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  19. "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.
  20. "2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Euro Brno Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  21. "2001 FIA Sportscar Championship Brno". Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  22. "Hankook 24H Epilogue Brno 2016 Race Results" (PDF). 16 October 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  23. "Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena 2023 - F4 CEZ Championship Race 1" (PDF). 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  24. "FIA GT Championship Brno 2004". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  25. "2004 Formula BMW ADAC Brno (Race 2)". Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  26. "2021 Trofeo Pirelli Brno Race 2 (30') Final Classification" (PDF). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  27. "2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe Round 1 - Automotodrom Brno >> PSCCE GT3 Cup - GT4 Clubsport Result - Race 2" (PDF). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  28. "2010 Round 2: Brno Eurocup Mégane Trophy Race 2 (40' +1 lap) Final Classification" (PDF). 6 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  29. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » Brno Circuit Round 16 Results". Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  30. "2001 Brno ETCC - Round 4". Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  31. "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.
  32. "WTCC 2008 » Brno Circuit Round 9 Results". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  33. "Masaryk Racing Days TCR Eastern Europe Race 2" (PDF). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  34. "Supersport 300 Acerbis Czech Round, 8-10 June 2018 Race Results" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  35. "2020 Brno Northern Talent Cup Race 2" (PDF). 4 October 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  36. "2016 Masaryk Racing Days – Podzimní Cena Tourenwagen Cup 2016 1.Závod/Race Závod (25:00 (hh):mm:ss) - start v 11:00:30" (PDF). 10 September 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  37. "ETC Cup 2013 » Brno Round 10 Results". Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  38. "1975 Brno ETCC". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  39. "1986 Brno ETCC". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  40. "Edición del Monday 20 August de 1979, Página 31". Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  41. "Grand Prix Brno 1972". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  42. "Grand Prix Brno 1969". Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  43. "1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  44. "Brno - Motorsport Magazine". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  45. "1934 Brno Voiturette". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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