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Balaton Park Circuit

Coordinates: 47°00′29″N 18°11′56″E / 47.00806°N 18.19889°E / 47.00806; 18.19889
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Balatonring, a failed circuit project located on the opposite side of the Lake Balaton intended to host the Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix.
Balaton Park Circuit
Balaton Park Circuit Track Map
Full Circuit (2023–present)
LocationBalatonfőkajár, Hungary
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates47°00′29″N 18°11′56″E / 47.00806°N 18.19889°E / 47.00806; 18.19889
Capacity10,000
FIA Grade2
OwnerPrivate Investment Group
Broke ground2013
OpenedMay 2023; 1 year ago (2023-05)
ArchitectFerenc Gulácsi[1]
Major eventsCurrent:
F4 CEZ (2023–present)
TCR Eastern Europe (2024)
Ferrari Challenge Europe (2024)
Future:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (2025)
World SBK (2025)
Websitehttp://www.balatonparkcircuit.com/
Full Circuit (2023–present)
Length4.115 km (2.557 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:34.466 (Italy Giacomo Altoè, Ferrari 296 Challenge, 2024, Ferrari Challenge)

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]

History

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Balaton Park Circuit – Pitlane

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]

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.[4][5] On 26 October 2023, it was confirmed that the circuit will host its first World SBK race on 23–25 August 2024.[6] However, on 7 June 2024, it was announced that the World SBK round at the circuit was replaced by the round at Circuito do Estoril due to the ongoing works at the circuit.[7] On 19 September 2024, it was announced that the circuit will host both Grand Prix motorcycle racing and Superbike World Championship next year, the former will be held in August 2025, the latter will be held in July 2025.[8][9] For these motorcycle races, there will be significant changes to the circuit.[10] Turns 6 and 7, instead of a double apex turn, will be converted to two doglegs with a straight connecting the two, a chicane replacing the Turn 11 dogleg, and a tight Turn 13 that connects to a tight right-handed Turn 14 and into a left-handed Turn 15 that ensures walls will be further from the circuit. The redesign is by Loris Capirossi.

Design and facilities

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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.[11]

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.[12] For the Grand Prix motorcycle racing and Superbike World Championship next year, there will be new layout created for motorcycle races.[10]

Events

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Current
Future

Lap records

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As of June 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)
Ferrari Challenge 1:34.466[13] Giacomo Altoè Ferrari 296 Challenge 2024 Balaton Park Ferrari Challenge Europe round
GT3 1:34.919[14] Mateusz Lisowski [pl][15] Mercedes-AMG GT3 2024 Balaton Park FIA CEZ Endurance round
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 1:36.760[14] Josef Záruba [cs][15] Lamborghini Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo EVO2 2024 Balaton Park FIA CEZ Endurance round
LMP3 1:37.054[16] Miro Konôpka Ligier JS P320 2023 Balaton Park FirstLap Cup
Formula 4 1:37.546[17] Ethan Ischer Tatuus F4-T421 2024 Balaton Park F4 CEZ Championship round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:38.126[14] Hubert Darmetko[15] Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2024 Balaton Park FIA CEZ Endurance round
GT4 1:42.662[14] Richard Gonda[15] BMW M4 GT4 2024 Balaton Park FIA CEZ Endurance round
TCR Touring Car 1:43.844[18] Attila Bucsi Hyundai i30 N TCR 2024 Balaton Park TCR Eastern Europe round
Renault Clio Cup 1:54.384[19] Tomáš Pekar Renault Clio R.S. V 2024 Balaton Park Clio Cup Bohemia round
Suzuki Swift Cup 2:00.048[20] Balász Hartmann Suzuki Swift 1.4 Turbo 2024 Balaton Park FIA Swift Cup Europe round

See also

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References

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  1. ^ White, Megan (16 May 2023). "Balaton Park Circuit opens in Hungary". Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kuntschik, Gerhard (21 May 2023). "Neuer Balaton Park Circuit genügt höchsten Standards" (in German). Speedweek. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ^ Brook-Jones, Callum (16 May 2023). "Balaton Park Circuit opens in Hungary". Professional Motorsport World. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  4. ^ "WorldSBK working on a return to Hungary". WorldSBK. Dorna. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Hungary on the horizon for MotoGP". MotoGP. Dorna. 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  6. ^ "2024 WorldSBK calendar announced, two new circuits ready for action". WorldSBK.com. Dorna. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Estoril to host penultimate round in 2024, Hungarian Round cancelled". WorldSBK.com. Dorna. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Balaton Park in Hungary to be included on 2025 MotoGP™ calendar". MotoGP. Dorna. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Balaton Park in Hungary to be included on the 2025 WorldSBK calendar". WorldSBK.com. Dorna. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b Jeffries, Tom (25 September 2024). "How Hungary's Newest Track Is Preparing For MotoGP". motorsport.com. Motorsport. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  11. ^ Lewis, Oli (17 May 2023). "Brand new Balaton Park Circuit Hungary is permitted for F1 race". gpblog.com. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  12. ^ Collantine, Keith (16 May 2023). "New £173m Formula 1-grade Balaton Park Circuit opens in Hungary". Race Fans. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  13. ^ "2024 Trofeo Pirelli - Balaton - Race 2 (30 Minutes +1 Lap) - Final Classification" (PDF). 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d "Laptiming Cup – FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & ESET Cup Series & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2024.06.26-28. - Endurance – Touring Cars – Race Official Final Result" (PDF). 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d "2024 Laptiming Cup – CEZ Endurance – Laps" (PDF). 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  16. ^ "#FirstLap Cup – FIA CEZ F4 Championship & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági és Endurance OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2023.10.07-08. - Touring Cars TC/GT National – Race 1 Official Final Result" (PDF). 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Laptiming Cup – FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & ESET Cup Series & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2024.06.26-28. - FIA CEZ F4 – Race 2 Official Final Result" (PDF). 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Laptiming Cup – FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & ESET Cup Series & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2024.06.26-28. - TCR Eastern Europe – Race 2 Official Final Result" (PDF). 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Laptiming Cup – FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & ESET Cup Series & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2024.06.26-28. - FIA CEZ TWC1-2 (Clio Cup) – Race 2 Official Final Result" (PDF). 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Laptiming Cup – FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & ESET Cup Series & MNASZ Autós Gyorsasági OB – Balaton Park Circuit (4114 m) – 2024.06.26-28. - Swift Cup Europe – Race 1 Official Final Result" (PDF). 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
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