Since 2021, a historic circuit has disappeared from the calendar: Brno. The Czechs were unable to undertake the asphalt resurfacing required by DORNA. However, this is a magnificent route, coupled with an equally prestigious past.
Together, let's look back on the glorious history of the Czech Grand Prix.
Particularly rare, this Grand Prix has always taken place in the same place, in 76 years of existence... Or almost. Indeed, the very first edition was held in Prague in 1947, two years before the creation of the FIM world championship; the Briton Ted Frost won in 500cc. We headed towards Brno for the second edition, until 2020. Such longevity for a single location is not common on the scale of motor sports.
Here are the different routes taken by the Grand Prix of Czechoslovakia – Czech Republic. Illustration: Micheliosos
However, the track was very different in 1950, when motorcycle riders rode it for the first time as part of the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix. At the time, it measured nearly 18 km, made up of roads crisscrossing the South Moravia. The Masaryk circuit already bears its current name, after the first Czechoslovak president. Tomas Masaryk. Brno is only the name of the nearest city, which is the second largest in the country after the capital.
The route was created in 1930, and shortened since. However, the world championship was not there yet. Thus, until 1964, the event did not count for the championship, which allowed locals to shine. František Šťastný, in particular, became the hero of the period, with around ten victories in different categories. Masaryk remained very respected, and it was not rare to see great pilots there. For example, we found Jim Redman,
Ernst Degner, Gary Hocking ou
Luigi Taveri at the start of these rustic races.
Faced with the growing popularity of motorcycle sport in Czechoslovakia, the event was hosted by the world championship in 1965, but this did not happen without a modification of the circuit. We remained on the open road, but the route was shortened again. From then on, the country's natives were eclipsed by global stars; Mike Hailwood was the first winner of the GP in the world championship.
Do you remember when Álex Rins celebrated too early in 2014, like Aleix Espargaró in Catalonia? Photo: Box Repsol
In 1974, part of the circuit was cut again, the length of which was increased to 11 km. This configuration benefited the French, who, by the way, have always performed well in Brno.
Michel Rougerie won in 250cc during the 1975 season, riding his Harley Davidson. In 1979 and 1980, it was Guy Bertin who took the best of his opponents in 125cc, while he was also riding a very French Motobécane.
Road circuits were no longer popular in the early 1980s. Thus, Brno was neglected by the world championship for a few years, while a closed circuit was built. For the anecdote, the Grand Prix did not stop and another Frenchman,
Paul Bordes, won there in 1985. The FIM announced the return of Brno for 1987, in the configuration we know today.
After discussing the beginnings of motorcycling in Brno, We will meet again tomorrow, same time, to talk about more recent years and above all, the current circuit.
In 2016, Crutchlow finally took his first victory in the premier class, after several years of assuming the role of “monster of the peloton”. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: dendrofil
