Nyirád’s pride at World Championship promotion

After staging successful FIA European Rallycross Championship events in 2022 and 2023, Nyirád Racing Center in Hungary will welcome the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the first time this year. It is a challenge the circuit is relishing.

One of the longest and most traditional rallycross tracks in Europe, Nyirád first played host to Euro RX in 2006, before slipping off the schedule after the 2013 campaign. Over the intervening period, it was conquered by drivers of the calibre of Kenneth Hansen, Sverre Isachsen, Timmy Hansen, Andreas Bakkerud, Timur Timerzyanov and Reinis Nitišs.

Two years ago, the old-school ‘Red Cauldron’ – so-called because of the distinctive colour of its gravel, having been built on the site of a former bauxite quarry – returned to the calendar, going on to deliver some sensational crowd-pleasing action in both the Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 categories.

So impressive has been the quality of the event’s organisation that Nyirád has been promoted to headlining World RX status in 2024, and will duly stage the third and fourth rounds of the forthcoming campaign over the weekend of 27-28 July – as well as a full package of support series. It is, acknowledges circuit General Manager Orsolya Gyuris, an immense source of satisfaction and motivation for all involved.

“I’m very proud of my Nyirád Racing Center colleagues, our local volunteers and our professional event staff, all of whom care so much about the fate of this event,” she revealed. “The fact that both the World Championship and European Championship will now visit Nyirád is a big challenge for us, but we have gained a lot of experience over the past couple of years which we incorporate into our processes. We are ready for the mission!”

Indeed, work is already proceeding apace in advance of Nyirád’s World RX debut, as the circuit prepares to stage the second instalment of the eagerly-anticipated ‘Battle of Technologies’, which will pit the cutting-edge electric RX1e beasts head-to-head against sustainably-fuelled RX1 combustion cars for the first time.

“Our aim is to show off the ‘Red Cauldron’ in all its glory,” ‘Orsi’ continues, “and for the racing on-track to be every bit as hot as the Hungarian summer.

“Last year, the opening ceremony in downtown Tapolca was a great success and we are planning to do it again on Thursday, 25 July. The paddock will be open to everyone, allowing spectators to meet and chat to their favourite drivers, and given how important it is for us that families visit our events, there will be a dedicated children’s corner including pedal go-karts for young fans to use.

“I don’t want to tell you all the surprises now, but one thing that is certain is that tickets for Hungary’s first World Rallycross Championship event will go on sale on Friday, 22 March – so set your reminders!”