Track Focus – Hrotovice
Host – Mibo Sport
Country – Czech Republic
Location – Hrotovice
Venue – Sport-V-Hotel
Track type – Temporary
Surface – Carpet
Direction – Anti-Clockwise
Previous ETS races hosted – 5
The opening round of Season #9 of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series takes place in the small town of Hrotovice, which is situated in the south of the Czech Republic about one hour drive from the Austrian border. On first arriving at the venue one would easily be forgiven for asking the question ‘how the hell did they find this place’. Located out in the Czech countryside and with most international racers travelling via Vienna airport, once you cross the border from Austria the winding country roads do offer an interesting drive. Despite its location however the Sports V hotel is among one of the most popular venues not just on the ETS calendar but in Touring Car racing general as can be seen from race host Michal Bok’s successful Mibo Cup which also uses the venue. First appearing on the ETS calendar in Season #3, this is the sixth time it has hosted a round of the championship, it only taking one year out since 2010 when it hosted the opening round of the inaugural Euro Offroad Series. The appeal of the venue is that the track, hotel (which is fully booked out by racers for the weekend), the restaurant, the bars and a bowling alley are all housed under the one roof. The low cost of the food & drink is also very popular with racers.
In terms of the track, which covers an area area 30 metres wide and 24 metres deep, Ronald Volker described it as ‘overall a great layout’. Adding ‘it is more difficult than last year’, the Yokomo driver, who kicked off his 5th title winning season with a win here last season, said the left side of the track is more flowing. Asked where he felt the most time was to be gained over a lap of the track, late 12-seconds expected to be pace, the German said the chicane at the start of the straight was tricky and a place you could lose time but with some risk could make up time.
Image Gallery
