Location | Balatonfőkajár, Hungary |
---|---|
Time zone |
CET (UTC+1) CEST ( DST) |
Coordinates | 47°00′29″N 18°11′56″E / 47.00806°N 18.19889°E |
Capacity | 10,000 |
Owner | Chanoch Nissany |
Broke ground | 2013 |
Opened | May 2023 |
Architect | Ferenc Gulácsi [1] |
Major events | Current: World SBK (2024) F4 CEZ (2023–present) TCR Eastern Europe (2024) Ferrari Challenge Europe (2024) |
Website | http://www.balatonparkcircuit.com/ |
Full Circuit (2023–present) | |
Length | 4.115 km (2.557 miles) |
Turns | 16 |
Race lap record | 1:35.909 ( Martin Kaczmarski, Mercedes-AMG GT3, 2024, GT3) |
Balaton Park Circuit is a 4.115 km (2.557 mi) motor racing circuit located near Balatonfőkajár, Hungary, 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Budapest. The track is designed to host regional and international races. The circuit was opened in May 2023. [2]
The main phase of construction for the Balaton Park started in 2019. [3] The racetrack is owned by a private group of investors led by former racecar driver Chanoch Nissany. The project was financed using the investors' own equity, without any involvement from banks or external funding. The circuit is intended to be a modern addition to Hungary's motor racing scene, complementing the older and well-established Hungaroring circuit. [2]
The Balaton Park Circuit has been planned and constructed according to the FIA Grade 1 standards, initially obtaining a Grade 2 license. The track features Tecpro barriers and 'MyLaps' latest technology, including GPS, LED Panels and timing systems. [4]
The track has a length of 4.115 km (2.557 mi) and varies in width between 12–15 m (13–16 yd). It consists of 16 corners, with six right turns and ten left turns in its full and only layout. The circuit's facilities include 48 pit garages, VIP areas and lounges, media center, medical center, and two additional support paddock areas. [5]
The Balaton Park Circuit aims to host a variety of regional and international motor racing events. It is not related with the never-opened Balatonring. [2]
In September 2023, it was revealed that the circuit will be planned to be included in the Superbike World Championship in 2024, and it will be also the reserve venue of MotoGP World Championship in the same year before the return of Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix to Hungaroring in 2025. [6] [7] On 26 October 2023, it was confirmed that the circuit will host its first World SBK race on 23–25 August 2024. [8]
As of April 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Balaton Park Circuit are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full Circuit: 4.115 km (2023–present) | ||||
GT3 | 1:35.909 [9] | Martin Kaczmarski | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | 1:36.864 [9] | Dennis Waszek | Lamborghini Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo EVO2 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
LMP3 | 1:37.054 [10] | Miro Konôpka | Ligier JS P320 | 2023 Balaton Park FirstLap Cup |
Formula 4 | 1:37.896 [11] | Shimo Zhang | Tatuus F4-T421 | 2024 Balaton Park F4 CEZ Championship round |
Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:38.132 [9] | Hubert Darmetko | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
GT4 | 1:44.056 [9] | Rudolf Beňo | BMW M4 GT4 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
TCR Touring Car | 1:44.129 [12] | Adam Kout | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 2024 Balaton Park TCR Eastern Europe round |
Renault Clio Cup | 1:54.727 [13] | Tomáš Pekar | Renault Clio R.S. V | 2024 Balaton Park Clio Cup Bohemia round |
Suzuki Swift Cup | 2:00.048 [14] | Balász Hartmann | Suzuki Swift 1.4 Turbo | 2024 Balaton Park FIA Swift Cup Europe round |
Location | Balatonfőkajár, Hungary |
---|---|
Time zone |
CET (UTC+1) CEST ( DST) |
Coordinates | 47°00′29″N 18°11′56″E / 47.00806°N 18.19889°E |
Capacity | 10,000 |
Owner | Chanoch Nissany |
Broke ground | 2013 |
Opened | May 2023 |
Architect | Ferenc Gulácsi [1] |
Major events | Current: World SBK (2024) F4 CEZ (2023–present) TCR Eastern Europe (2024) Ferrari Challenge Europe (2024) |
Website | http://www.balatonparkcircuit.com/ |
Full Circuit (2023–present) | |
Length | 4.115 km (2.557 miles) |
Turns | 16 |
Race lap record | 1:35.909 ( Martin Kaczmarski, Mercedes-AMG GT3, 2024, GT3) |
Balaton Park Circuit is a 4.115 km (2.557 mi) motor racing circuit located near Balatonfőkajár, Hungary, 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Budapest. The track is designed to host regional and international races. The circuit was opened in May 2023. [2]
The main phase of construction for the Balaton Park started in 2019. [3] The racetrack is owned by a private group of investors led by former racecar driver Chanoch Nissany. The project was financed using the investors' own equity, without any involvement from banks or external funding. The circuit is intended to be a modern addition to Hungary's motor racing scene, complementing the older and well-established Hungaroring circuit. [2]
The Balaton Park Circuit has been planned and constructed according to the FIA Grade 1 standards, initially obtaining a Grade 2 license. The track features Tecpro barriers and 'MyLaps' latest technology, including GPS, LED Panels and timing systems. [4]
The track has a length of 4.115 km (2.557 mi) and varies in width between 12–15 m (13–16 yd). It consists of 16 corners, with six right turns and ten left turns in its full and only layout. The circuit's facilities include 48 pit garages, VIP areas and lounges, media center, medical center, and two additional support paddock areas. [5]
The Balaton Park Circuit aims to host a variety of regional and international motor racing events. It is not related with the never-opened Balatonring. [2]
In September 2023, it was revealed that the circuit will be planned to be included in the Superbike World Championship in 2024, and it will be also the reserve venue of MotoGP World Championship in the same year before the return of Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix to Hungaroring in 2025. [6] [7] On 26 October 2023, it was confirmed that the circuit will host its first World SBK race on 23–25 August 2024. [8]
As of April 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Balaton Park Circuit are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full Circuit: 4.115 km (2023–present) | ||||
GT3 | 1:35.909 [9] | Martin Kaczmarski | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | 1:36.864 [9] | Dennis Waszek | Lamborghini Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo EVO2 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
LMP3 | 1:37.054 [10] | Miro Konôpka | Ligier JS P320 | 2023 Balaton Park FirstLap Cup |
Formula 4 | 1:37.896 [11] | Shimo Zhang | Tatuus F4-T421 | 2024 Balaton Park F4 CEZ Championship round |
Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:38.132 [9] | Hubert Darmetko | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
GT4 | 1:44.056 [9] | Rudolf Beňo | BMW M4 GT4 | 2024 Balaton Park ESET Cup round |
TCR Touring Car | 1:44.129 [12] | Adam Kout | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 2024 Balaton Park TCR Eastern Europe round |
Renault Clio Cup | 1:54.727 [13] | Tomáš Pekar | Renault Clio R.S. V | 2024 Balaton Park Clio Cup Bohemia round |
Suzuki Swift Cup | 2:00.048 [14] | Balász Hartmann | Suzuki Swift 1.4 Turbo | 2024 Balaton Park FIA Swift Cup Europe round |