Anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of Masarykův okruh, or Automotodrom Brno. So much so, that I think international endurance racing should return. So, hear me out!
Brno Has Hosted Endurance Racing
In 1988, Automotodrom Brno had hosted its first international endurance race, the 360km of Brno, as part of the World Sportscar Championship.
Later, around the time of Y2K, the FIA made its first try at a new endurance racing championship. After the World Sportscar Championship folded in 1992, this new series ran first in 1997. Here’s the calendar for the 1997 season:
- Donington 2 Hours
- Zolder 1 hour 15 minutes
- Masaryk Grand Prix
- Grand Premio Respol Sport Prototipos
Donington Park, Circuit Zolder, Automotodrom Brno and Circuito del Jarama made up this season, which served more as a proof of concept for coming years. The following year, in 1998, the first offical titles for the International Sports Racing Series were awarded. Brno was back on the calendar.
Until 2002, the 2nd to last iteration of the then renamed FIA Sportscar Championship, Brno stayed on the calendar. It always hosted a 2 hour 30 minute race.
Now before you claim 2.5 hours is not real endurance, all events in that year were of that exact length. By 2002, Brno was amongst prestigious names like Barcelona-Catalunya, Estoril, Magny-Cours and Spa-Francorchamps.
The Modern Endurance
For the 2003 season of the FIA Sportscar Championship, Brno was dropped. One year later, the championship was replaced by the new Le Mans Endurance Series, now known as European Le Mans Series. As such, the championship is now a regional series supporting the World Endurance Championship.
Back to Brno, however. 2002 would be the last time, an international endurance prototype race would be hosted at the circuit. 2015, however the 24H Series would bring international endurance back to Brno. This 12-hour race would be finale of the season. For 2016, the race was made even longer, becoming the first international 24-hour race that Automotodrom Brno ever hosted. Next year, however, Brno would not be on the calendar anymore.
For the 2019 season, Automotodrom Brno would return to host another 12-hour endurance event in the 24H Series. That would be the last time, Automotodrom Brno would host and endurance event.
Brno’s Endurance Future
In recent years, Brno was in a bit of a rut, when it came to hosting events. When they lost MotoGP and plans to build housing were alleged, fans of the circuit were concerned. However, the circuit has since been sold and the new owner wants to bring international racing back.
MotoGP is scheduled to return in 2025. For a motorcycle return, however, the circuit would need to be resurfaced. As soon as that happens, other racing series might be interest to come back as well. It doesn’t need to be the WEC, but maybe ELMS?
The circuit is very wide, after all, and feels destined for multi-class endurance. I am hopeful, that endurance racing can make a comeback and maybe we’ll be able to see the top class of endurance racing around the beautiful Automotodrom Brno.
If you want to try racing Brno for yourself, you can do so in RaceRoom via official content or via mod in Assetto Corsa (via BLCKBOX). Please