From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Valencia Retain IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix’ Trophy

The Grand Prix of the City of Valencia has won the 20th edition of the IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix Trophy’. Valencia retained the high standards they had established during their 2002 winning season to score a repeat trophy success this time round.

The torturous Ricardo Tormo Circuit, inaugurated by Juan Carlos, King of Spain, in September 1999, hosted the final race in the 16 round MotoGP World Championship of 2003. Following their triumph of 2002 Circuito del Motor y Promocion Deportivo, the race promoter, and the on-track staff simply employed the same successful formula as in 2002, plus a little extra.

Valencia’s success is the third consecutive win for a Spanish circuit, Catalunya outscoring strong opposition to take the 2001 award. But, as IRTA President Sito Pons has often so rightly pointed out; “The high standards set by many of the best grands prix who have taken the prestigious trophy in recent years calls for a superb effort by any circuit and race promoter seeking the ultimate IRTA accolade.”

Named in honour of one of Valencia’s famous sons, former 50cc World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the track is perfectly situated on the outskirts of the city close to a network of national highways connecting Valencia to other major cities.

Set in a 60,000-seat amphi-theatre the circuit is unique in that race fans get a clear view of every meter of the race action. Competing teams and riders have to work hard to take anything from the race. Featuring nine left and five right hand corners crammed into 4.005km, with a start – finish straight measuring just 876mts competitors have precious little time to relax.

The IRTA Trophy is awarded based upon a point scoring system that covers every aspect of the running of a grand prix. Safety measures and medical facilities are paramount in motorsport and Valencia passed those tests with flying colours.

Each year the circuit management and associated on-event staff have improved their performance. The event is now one of the most popular with the teams and riders. Certainly one of the safest venues on the calendar Valencia has competent hard working trackside marshals to back up the facilities. Medical facilities are first class and the co-operation with the Clinica Mobile is excellent.

On hearing of Valencia’s success IRTA President, Sito Pons, said; “Two in a row is quite an achievement, I’m very happy for the people there. For Valencia to take the award again this year was particularly impressive because when the teams and riders arrived at Valencia everyone was very tired. It was at the end of a hard year, especially hard after three difficult flyaway races.

“Valencia deserve the trophy, they held off close challenges from several excellent grands prix. The event is well organised and the staff are very competent. The races are always good and the race fans play an important part of the event, they create a very special atmosphere on race day.” Concluded Pons.

Only two other grands prix have recorded back-to-back IRTA Trophy successes in the twenty-year history of the award, Eastern Creek and Mugello.

All concerned with the Grand Prix deserve the prestigious honour and all are determined to equal Mugello’s incredible triple success of 1995-1997. Mugello, Catalunya, Phillip Island, and Valencia have dominated Trophy success in recent years but several other circuits are knocking at the door and showing themselves capable of taking the 2004 crown.

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