Brno named best bike race of the year

The Czech Grand Prix at Brno has been named the best-organised race of 2004 by the International Road Racing Teams’ Association (IRTA).

Brno reclaims the honour it last won in 1999 and ends three years of Spanish domination after emerging on top from a points system which takes into account every aspect of how a motorcycle grand prix is put on.

“The recognition of best grand prix of the year is an award well-deserved by the circuit of Brno for its continued effort in improving its services and infrastructures,” said IRTA president Sito Pons, who runs the Camel Honda team.

“It currently meets the expectations of the teams and also of the public as host of an event of the magnitude of the motorcycling world championship.

“The teams are grateful for this and the audiences are on the increase. Although held in the middle of the summer, which may be a deterrent by some standards, the Brno grand prix is highly valued by all the teams.”

Brno first held a grand prix in 1965 but racing of all kinds was stopped in 1982 after the track fell into disrepair. A new track on the outskirts of Brno city was opened in 1987 and immediately returned to the MotoGP calendar.