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 bike 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 follow 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 most important lake in central Europe and itself a well-liked vacationer vacation spot – the monitor is at present constructing a lodge on the ultimate corners, from the roof of which nearly the whole circuit can be seen.
A becoming place for MotoGP to make its return to Hungarian soil then, because the world championship hopes to welcome not less than 120,000 spectators throughout the three days of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Though the circuit solely opened in Might 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 – that means it might theoretically host an F1 race – and is at present Grade 2, the requirements aren’t the identical as those set by bike governing physique FIM. Bikes require a really completely different set of laws because of the very alternative ways during which they crash, and the inherent hazard that comes from not having a metallic shell to guard riders after 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 skin.
Sector one can be largely unaffected by the adjustments
Picture by: Balaton Park
The monitor 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 can be added round a 3rd of the best way up. The advantages of this can be two-fold – speeds can 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 Pink 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, nevertheless the circuit will detour by way of the within of the ultimate part and provides riders a run instantly onto the start-finish straight. Which means that the angle on exiting the ultimate nook gained’t be going through a wall, whereas speeds ought to nonetheless attain 300km/h on the beginning/end straight.
In all, the monitor’s size will solely change by round 30 metres, with the additional corners masking the gap misplaced in that closing sector. The additions will make sure that the monitor meets the requirements set by bike governing physique FIM.
“We’re very particular by way of the runoff areas that are wanted”
Carlos Ezpeleta
Talking to pick out media together with Motorsport.com, Dorna Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta defined that it may be troublesome to search out tracks that are appropriate for bikes.
“MotoGP could be very difficult by way of circuit design”, he mentioned. “We’re very particular by way of the runoff areas that are wanted, and naturally that’s, I wouldn’t say a limitation however a consider the place we are able to race.
“The degrees of pace which MotoGP has in fact are completely different to the rest. We maintain the highest pace for each circuit that we race at. That, in fact with our will increase in security yearly, signify that we have now to have larger runoff areas than another sport. However I don’t suppose it’s one thing that needs to be in jeopardy of the design of the circuit.”
The top of the lap may also endure modifications, with the final corners to be bypassed
Picture by: Balaton Park
In fact, internet hosting a race in Hungary wasn’t the one motivation for each circuit and sequence – fostering expertise within the host nation is one other purpose of the mission. Hungary at present has no riders in MotoGP, WSBK, Moto2 or Moto3, with essentially the most promising rider for the longer term being 17-year-old Hungarian Pink Bull Rookie Kevin Farkas.
Hungarian former MotoGP rider and 2007 125cc world champion Gábor Talmácsi predicted that the race may also assist increase the profiles of different younger riders from his nation.
“Internet hosting MotoGP and Superbike races in Hungary will not be solely an important sporting occasion, but in addition a possibility to spice up the careers of younger riders, to convey the game into focus and to present perspective to the subsequent technology,” mentioned Talmácsi.
“My purpose is to extend the popularity of motorcycling, not simply as a aggressive sport, but in addition as a method of transport, and to contribute to the event of younger individuals and their information about security on the street. The 2025 races can play a serious 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 all the things is being completed to present it one of the best probability. Works will start subsequent month and are on account of end round March 2025 – 4 months earlier than the primary take a look at of the brand new structure, when WSBK will go to for the primary time in 35 years.
Will Balaton Park be successful on the MotoGP calendar?
Picture by: Balaton Park