Hungary’s Balaton Park will host each World Superbikes and MotoGP over a one-month interval subsequent 12 months, marking the nation’s return to top-tier motorbike racing for the primary time in over three many years.
Balaton Park Circuit is a 2.5-mile circuit in western Hungary owned by one-time F1 observe session starter Chanoch Nissany. Removed from being a repurposed airfield as so many different tracks begin out, the circuit first broke floor in 2013 and was constructed with tourism and enterprise in thoughts. Located on the sting of Balaton Lake – the biggest lake in central Europe and itself a well-liked vacationer vacation spot – the observe is at the moment constructing a resort on the ultimate corners, from the roof of which nearly your entire circuit will probably be seen.
A becoming place for MotoGP to make its return to Hungarian soil then, because the world championship hopes to welcome a minimum of 120,000 spectators throughout the three days of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Though the circuit solely opened in Could 2023, negotiations with MotoGP really began again in 2019 – highlighting each the circuit and the MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports activities’ dedication to racing in Hungary. This dedication is mirrored within the deal Dorna has struck with the nation’s authorities company HUMDA, as a Hungarian GP is confirmed for the subsequent 10 years in a single kind or one other. Balaton Park has a assured three races, although there may be an possibility for the race to maneuver to the better-known Hungaroring ought to it’s re-homologated.
That homologation is what Balaton Park is specializing in. Whereas the circuit was constructed to FIA Grade 1 requirements – which means it may theoretically host an F1 race – and is at the moment Grade 2, the requirements aren’t the identical as those set by motorbike governing physique FIM. Bikes require a really totally different set of rules because of the very other ways during which they crash, and the inherent hazard that comes from not having a steel shell to guard riders once they fall.
To account for this, Balaton Park is making some additions to the circuit, with nine-time premier class race winner Loris Capirossi concerned with the redesign. The primary sector will stay the identical, whereas the quick, sweeping Flip 7 may have two smaller radius corners added to afford riders some extra runoff on the surface.
Sector one will probably be largely unaffected by the adjustments
Photograph by: Balaton Park
The observe will proceed straight down into the chicane of Turns 8 and 9, and the hairpin of 10, with the second addition coming alongside the again straight; a brand new chicane will probably be added round a 3rd of the way in which up. The advantages of this will probably be two-fold – speeds will probably be introduced down, and the brand new braking zone will present extra overtaking alternatives. That is a lot in the identical vein because the MotoGP-specific chicane on the Purple Bull Ring after Flip 1, put in place after an nearly disastrous crash between Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli in 2020.
Lastly, the ultimate part is being remodelled to once more present higher rider security. The present chicane at Turns 12 and 13 will largely stay, nonetheless the circuit will detour by means of the within of the ultimate part and provides riders a run straight onto the start-finish straight. Which means that the angle on exiting the ultimate nook received’t be going through a wall, whereas speeds ought to nonetheless attain 300km/h on the beginning/end straight.
In all, the observe’s size will solely change by round 30 metres, with the additional corners masking the space misplaced in that remaining sector. The additions will be sure that the observe meets the requirements set by motorbike governing physique FIM.
“We’re very particular when it comes to the runoff areas that are wanted”
Carlos Ezpeleta
Talking to pick media together with Motorsport.com, Dorna Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta defined that it may be tough to seek out tracks that are appropriate for bikes.
“MotoGP could be very difficult when it comes to circuit design”, he stated. “We’re very particular when it comes to the runoff areas that are wanted, and naturally that’s, I wouldn’t say a limitation however a think about the place we are able to race.
“The degrees of velocity which MotoGP has after all are totally different to the rest. We maintain the highest velocity for each circuit that we race at. That, after all with our will increase in security yearly, signify that now we have to have larger runoff areas than some other sport. However I don’t suppose it’s one thing that needs to be in jeopardy of the design of the circuit.”
The tip of the lap can even endure modifications, with the final corners to be bypassed
Photograph by: Balaton Park
After all, internet hosting a race in Hungary wasn’t the one motivation for each circuit and collection – fostering expertise within the host nation is one other goal of the venture. Hungary at the moment has no riders in MotoGP, WSBK, Moto2 or Moto3, with probably the most promising rider for the longer term being 17-year-old Hungarian Purple Bull Rookie Kevin Farkas.
Hungarian former MotoGP rider and 2007 125cc world champion Gábor Talmácsi predicted that the race can even assist increase the profiles of different younger riders from his nation.
“Internet hosting MotoGP and Superbike races in Hungary will not be solely an excellent sporting occasion, but additionally a chance to spice up the careers of younger riders, to carry the game into focus and to present perspective to the subsequent technology,” stated Talmácsi.
“My goal is to extend the popularity of motorcycling, not simply as a aggressive sport, but additionally as a way of transport, and to contribute to the event of younger folks and their information about security on the street. The 2025 races can play a significant position in elevating consciousness about this.”
Whether or not the race will gentle the contact paper for Hungarian motorcycling stays to be seen, nevertheless it’s clear that every little thing is being executed to present it the most effective likelihood. Works will start subsequent month and are attributable to end round March 2025 – 4 months earlier than the primary check of the brand new format, when WSBK will go to for the primary time in 35 years.
Will Balaton Park be a hit on the MotoGP calendar?
Photograph by: Balaton Park
