From a press release issued by Honda: Brno triumphs in the annual IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix’ poll The magnificently sculptured Brno circuit, home of the Czech Republic Grand Prix, topped the IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix’ poll for the 2007 MotoGP season. Set in the Moravian hills 200 km to the East of Prague the city of Brno is a centre of engineering excellence and automoto competition has been a constant feature for 50 years and first hosted international motorcycle races on the fearsome 13.4 km closed road course. The first GP was held on the old course in 1965 with three legendary world champions taking the honours, Mike Hailwood was victorious in the 500cc race, Jim Redman at 350 level with Phil Read the winner of the 250cc GP. The completely new man made 5.403km track was constructed and opened in 1987 and three younger legendary champions emerged victorious in their title winning year; Wayne Gardner taking the 500cc win, Toni Mang took the chequered flag in the 250 class with Fausto Gresini the 125cc race victor. The circuit is unique in that it resembles an old style road course with swooping downhill turns and elevation changes of 74 mts that put a premium on front wheel grip testing the riders skills to the maximum. The new circuit set the standards that all new circuits have to match. Safety was the prime consideration and Brno features large run-off areas but without detracting from the view the race fans have of the action, much of which takes place in a huge amphi-theatre like valley. Medical facilities, under the supervision of Chief Medical Officer Ivo Dedek MD, are state of the art and Doctor Dedek oversees 100 staff during practice and racing 30 Doctors and 24 ambulance crews among them. Clerk of the Course Mirek Bartos, assisted by an excellent performance by his team, again played a key role ensuring all on track action ran smoothly. The track marshals are first class and the vastly experienced circuit staff are the masters of all they survey. Circuit administration was efficient and ever helpful with the varied requests put to them by the teams and riders. Event sponsors, Cardion AB, is a company with close connections to motorsport and Brno. Their core business is distributing medical products on the Czech market as commercial representatives for many prestigious producers of medical appliances. Their success in this field has enabled Cardion AB to expand their activities to include motorsport with the company owners the majority shareholders of the Brno circuit and sponsors of the racing team. Brno has performed exceptionally well since its inauguration and has been one of the consistent all-time trophy contenders taking its first IRTA Trophy in 1999. The second success came in 2004 and Brno has since retained a top three position in the annual poll finishing a close third in 2005 and runner up in 2006 regaining top spot in 2007 with another outstanding performance. The Masaryk Circuit at Brno has hosted more grands prix than any other circuit on the calendar with the sole exception of Assen and joins Catalunya and Valencia as three times winners of the coveted IRTA Trophy. Only Mugello has topped the IRTA poll on more occasions with four Trophy successes. In the 2007 poll Valencia took second spot just ahead of Jerez. All three circuits man made facilities that host successful safe and entertaining grands prix on an annual basis. “On behalf of all concerned with the Czech Grand Prix at Brno I wish to thank all the IRTA teams who voted for the circuit in the IRTA poll for ‘Best GP of 2007.’ Said Clerk of the Course Mirek Bartos. “To win the Trophy for a third time is very satisfying and shows the dedication of all the people who contribute so much to make a success of the event. We have set high standards and will continue to improve where ever possible. We have a very good relationship with IRTA and the teams and this award is a reflection of our collaboration. We thank you once again and look forward to welcoming you all to Brno in August.” IRTA President Herve Poncharal gave a glowing appraisal of the Brno event. “Brno deserves to be voted ‘Best Grand Prix of 2007’ everybody involved tries so hard to make life easy for us when we race there. The race organisation is first class, the circuit is very safe with lots of run-off, track marshals are among the best that we work with and the facilities are excellent. When the circuit opened back in 1987 the facilities were unique and set the standard for all new circuits to equal.” “Brno is an artificial man made circuit but it’s like a real road race track, very technical with elevation changes – we love to race there. We have seen some fantastic close races at Brno I will always remember the unforgettable Criville Doohan battle in 1996.” “It is also very exciting to see that the former East block countries are very enthusiastic about MotoGP and the Czech Republic has always been first to show this with Brno the central attraction. On behalf of IRTA I wish to congratulate all involved with the GP at Brno on the latest and well deserved Trophy success.” Automotodrome Brno Czech Republic. Location: Brno, Czech Republic Opened: 1987 Modified: 1996 Pole position: Left Circuit Length: 5403m Straight: 636m Track width: 15m Lefthanders: 6 Righthanders: 8 IRTA Trophy Roll of Honour. 1984: Silverstone / GB. 1985: Hockenheim / Germany. 1986: Nurburgring / Germany. 1987: Assen / Netherlands. 1988: Suzuka / Japan. 1989: Donington Park / GB. 1990: Jerez / Spain. 1991: Donington Park / GB. 1992: Catalunya / Spain. 1993: Eastern Creek / Australia. 1994: Eastern Creek / Australia. 1995: Mugello / Italy. 1996: Mugello / Italy. 1997: Mugello / Italy. 1998: Phillip Island / Australia. 1999: Brno / Czech Republic. 2000: Mugello / Italy. 2001: Catalunya / Spain. 2002: Valencia / Spain. 2003: Valencia / Spain. 2004: Brno / Czech Republic. 2005: Valencia / Spain. 2006: Catalunya / Spain. 2007: Brno / Czech Republic.