A1 Grand Prix of Nations: 2006 - 2007

AUTOMOTODROM BRNO

Overview:

Masaryk circuit is the most famous Czech racing circuit, located close to Brno. It was formerly the site of the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix and is now used primarily for motorbike races. The annual Grand Prix of the Czech Republic is the most important event held there.

The current track was built in the second half of 1980s. The historical track led trough the streets of western part of Brno and neighbouring villages, such as Bosonohy or Zebetin. The first race was held in 1930. The track is named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomas Masaryk.

Apart from the inaugural A1 Grand Prix to be held here, the circuit is used predominantly by Moto GP, World Superbikes, and the GT Championship. The circuit is also available for public drivers wishing to tackle its curves.

Specifications:

Location: 16kms from Brno
Track Length: 5.41kms
Laps: TBC
Longest Straight: 636 metres
Turns: 14
Direction: Clockwise
Lap Record: David Coulthard, West McLaren Mercedes, 1:37, 2002
Address: Ostrovacice, Brno 641 00, Czech Republic

History:

The Czechoslovakian Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor racing event first held on September 28, 1930 at the Masaryk Circuit in the town of Brno in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic).

Since 1934, the race was dominated by the German Silver Arrows. Notable winners included Von Morgan in the Bugatti, and the last victory before the war was claimed by Rudi Caracciola in a Mercedes Benz car. In the same race in 1937, several spectators were killed or injured when Hermann Lang skid off the track. The spectators had been in a prohibited area but Lang was sued anyway.

Due to the German occupation in 1938 the race was discontinued until 1949 when the Masaryk Circuit was shortened to 17.8 km.

The 1949 competition, raced in the opposite direction than the pre-war races, drew a crowd in excess of 400,000 people. The Grand prix was won by the British driver Whitehead in a Ferrari, and among other drivers participating was the Italian Farina, who became the first Formula 1 Champion in history. However, this would be the last Czechoslovakian Grand Prix, and the race would never be part of the Formula One World Championship.

There were close battles with Formula Junior in 1962, and later with Formula 3 and other cars. Many of the names that were later well known in Formula 1 such as Rindt and Lauda were competitors at Brno.

Directions:

Automotodrom Brno is situated in the locality of Kyvalka, some 16km from downtown Brno and 2km from D1 highway Prague - Brno (exit 182). Masaryk Circuit is also within an 8km distance from the Brno Dam and its area is divided by a border of two settlements, Brno - Zebetin and Ostrovacice. If you come from Prague use exit 178, from Ostrovacice direction use exit 182, Popuvky direction. If you come from Bratislava or Vienna use exit 182, Popuvky direction.