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Kymi Ring
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The KymiRing is a motor racing circuit in Kausala of the Iitti municipality, Päijät-Häme, Finland, bordering the Kymenlaakso's regional capital Kouvola, and located 110-kilometre (68 mi) north-east of the capital Helsinki. It was planned that it would be the first circuit in Finland to hold an FIA Grade 1 license. While the circuit itself was built to meet both Formula 1 and MotoGP specifications, hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix would require substantial investment in both the track's facilities and in race hosting fees.[2]
Key Information
The track was officially opened on 19 August 2019 with a small MotoGP test.[3] In July 2022, the developer was reported as being in administration.
The name "Kymi" comes from the Kymi River (Kymijoki), in the valley of which the race track is located.
Facilities
[edit]
The main racetrack, designed by Pohjola and Apex Circuit Design Ltd is 4.650 km (2.889 mi) long. In addition, the complex will have a 1.56 km (0.97 mi) rallycross track with a 0.1-kilometre (0.062 mi) joker lap, diverting from the main circuit's finish line.
Driver training facilities for the use of local driving schools are located next to the main track, using parts of the track to provide various customisable training modules. A traffic safety theme park for families with children is also included in the plans.
Kymi Ring in its entirety covers an area of 1.8 km2 (0.69 sq mi). The infield of the track can be utilised as a venue for fairs, festivals and other mass events, with room for hospitality and dining services. Potential businesses, especially those of the automotive trade, have been designated a business park area at the circuit's outskirts, next to the main road 12.
Accommodation services at the circuit consist mainly of trackside cabins, called "toy barns" by the circuit management.[4]
As of September 2021, the track, paddock and offices have been completed, with the cost of 30 million Euro. The track has permits to build for 150,000m² of floor space, with 9,000m² currently being used.[2] No hotels or grandstands exist yet.
In June 2022, the developer was reported as being in administration, due to two construction companies filing for a non-payment total of €634,000.[5][6] In February 2024, the circuit was purchased by a Hungarian consortium.[7]
Competitions
[edit]In July 2017, Kymi Ring and Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, signed a five-year contract for organising the Finnish motorcycle Grand Prix. It would be the first time motorcycle racing's premier class would race in the country since 1981.
The event was initially supposed to be on the 2020 MotoGP calendar but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also on the 2021 MotoGP calendar but was later postponed to 2022. Concerns over the circuit were discussed by riders at a Safety Commission meeting at Le Mans.[8] On 25 May 2022, it was announced that the event would once again be removed from the 2022 World Championship season, due to incomplete homologation works together with the risks caused by the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9]
Ongoing financial troubles and incomplete construction resulted in the FIM Motocross World Championship and Nitro Rallycross cancelling their August 2022 races at the track. The former moved the event to Hyvinkää, while the latter opted not to replace the date with a different location.[10][11]
In September 2024, it was announced that the circuit will host FIA World Rallycross Championship races for three years starting from 2025.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kuvat: Tällainen Suomeen rakennettava F1-rata olisi – valmis kesällä 2018". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Moottoriurheilu | Kymiringin toimitusjohtaja Riku Rönnholm toivottaa F1-kisat tervetulleiksi: "Emme pistäisi hanttiin"". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
- ^ "Test riders sample "very different" Kymi Ring track". Motorsport.com. 20 August 2019.
- ^ "Toy Barns » KymiRing". KymiRing. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Kaksi urakoitsijaa hakee ratayhtiö Kymiringiä konkurssiin (Two contractors are filing for bankruptcy of the course company Kymiring) yle.fi, 29 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022 (in Finnish)
- ^ KymiRing project unravels with bankruptcy, major series exits thecheckeredflag.co.uk, 12 July 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022
- ^ "Consortium led by TRP Hungary acquired KymiRing". Kymi Ring. 15 February 2024.
- ^ MotoGP riders concerned by Finland, contracts, pay.. crash.net, 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022
- ^ "Grand Prix of Finland postponed to 2023". motogp.com. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
- ^ "New Venue Announced for the MXGP of Finland!". Infront Moto Racing. FIM Motocross World Championship. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ Kelekian, Austen (11 July 2022). "Nitro Rallycross forced to cancel Finland event due to venue shortfalls". Nitro Rallycross. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ "FIA World Rallycross set for 2025 Finnish return". fiaworldrallycross.com. FIA World Rallycross Championship. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
External links
[edit]
Media related to KymiRing at Wikimedia Commons- Kymi Ring official website
- Apex Circuit Design Ltd
  | This article about a Finnish sports venue is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Kymi Ring
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History
Planning and Early Development
The Kymi Ring project originated in 2006 when plans for a new motorsport circuit were first proposed by the Finnish Pohjola Racing organization, motivated by the desire to revive international racing in the country after a long hiatus in hosting premier events.[1][7] A formal master plan was developed in 2007, envisioning a facility capable of accommodating high-level competitions to elevate Finland's standing in global motorsport and generate economic benefits through tourism and related industries.[2] By 2013, KymiRing Oy was formally established to manage development, building on these early ambitions to create Finland's first FIA Grade 1-licensed track suitable for events like MotoGP and potentially Formula 1.[2] The location in Iitti municipality, adjacent to Kouvola and roughly 140 kilometers northeast of Helsinki, was chosen for its varied terrain, including an 18-meter elevation differential across the site, which allowed for a naturally challenging circuit layout while remaining accessible to spectators and teams from major urban areas.[1][8] This positioning in the Kymi River valley also aligned with the circuit's name and supported goals for regional economic stimulation without relying on remote or logistically difficult sites.[7] Initial designs emphasized versatility and modernity, with UK firm Apex Circuit Design engaged from 2010 to refine concepts in line with FIA standards, prioritizing efficient land use on the 168-hectare plot and multi-disciplinary capabilities such as road racing, rallycross, and year-round activities to maximize utility beyond seasonal events.[9][1] Funding in the early phases drew primarily from private Finnish investors and motorsport stakeholders, reflecting enthusiasm for a self-sustaining venue that could host diverse programming while fostering local infrastructure growth.[2]Construction and Initial Testing
Construction of the Kymi Ring circuit began in 2016 and progressed through 2017 and 2018, with significant advancements enabling partial operational capability by 2019.[1] The main racetrack, measuring 4.6 kilometers in length with 18 turns, was designed by Apex Circuit Design in collaboration with Pohjola Racing, incorporating an 18-meter elevation difference to create a technically demanding layout suited for high-level motorcycle racing.[10] [7] The circuit's initial testing occurred on August 19-20, 2019, when MotoGP manufacturers' test riders, including Bradley Smith for Aprilia and Mika Kallio for KTM, conducted the first laps on prototype machinery.[11] [12] Riders provided feedback highlighting the track's challenging elevation changes and corner sequences, which demanded precise handling and offered opportunities for overtaking, though the second day's session ended early due to heavy rain.[12] Efforts toward partial homologation for international standards, including FIM Grade A certification, faced delays from funding constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted progress on final infrastructure upgrades and safety features needed for full event readiness.[13] By early 2020, these factors postponed comprehensive certification, limiting the circuit to testing rather than competitive use.[14]Failed Major Event Bids
The Kymi Ring circuit initially secured a contract to host a round of the MotoGP World Championship in 2022, marking Finland's return to the series since 1982. However, on May 25, 2022, MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports announced the cancellation of the event, citing unfinished homologation works at the venue that prevented compliance with Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) safety standards by the scheduled July 10 date. The race was postponed to 2023, but subsequent failures to complete required upgrades and achieve full Grade 1 homologation, compounded by the circuit's financial distress, resulted in no MotoGP event ever occurring there.[15] Discussions for hosting Formula 1 emerged sporadically, with early ambitions in 2018 for a potential Finnish Grand Prix at the FIA Grade 1-certified track. By March 2022, however, project leaders explicitly ruled out pursuing F1, deeming the series' hosting fees prohibitively expensive compared to MotoGP. In May 2023, Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas confirmed preliminary talks about investing in or acquiring the bankrupt circuit to revive it for high-profile racing, including theoretical F1 compatibility, but emphasized the need for greater financial clarity amid ongoing economic challenges; no formal bid to Formula One Management materialized. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 exacerbated these setbacks by disrupting European supply chains for construction materials and inflating costs, directly contributing to the MotoGP cancellation as cited by organizers. This geopolitical turmoil strained funding for infrastructure-dependent projects like Kymi Ring, already burdened by domestic financial shortfalls, ultimately preventing readiness for major events despite initial contractual commitments.[16][17]Design and Facilities
Circuit Specifications
The KymiRing's primary Grand Prix circuit spans 4.5 kilometers in total length and incorporates 21 corners, comprising 13 right-hand turns and 8 left-hand bends, arranged in a clockwise configuration. The layout features a 1.1-kilometer main straight suitable for high-speed overtaking, alongside technical sections that demand precise handling. Elevation varies by 18 meters across the track, contributing to a demanding profile with undulating terrain that tests vehicle aerodynamics and driver skill. Track width ranges from 12 to 15 meters, facilitating safe racing lines and passing opportunities at eight designated points.[18] An integrated rallycross configuration utilizes a shorter 1.568-kilometer loop positioned adjacent to the main circuit and pit facilities, blending asphalt and gravel surfaces in nearly equal proportions to accommodate high-intensity, multi-surface racing.[19] This dual-purpose design supports FIA-sanctioned rallycross events, with the layout engineered for rapid acceleration, sharp jinks, and surface transitions akin to Grade 2 international standards.[9] Safety elements include extensive gravel runoff zones at high-risk corners, Armco barriers, and tire walls aligned with FIA circuit grading requirements, supplemented by on-site medical response infrastructure.[1] Initial homologation efforts targeted full FIA Grade 1 certification for the main circuit to enable premier series compatibility, though partial approvals were granted amid construction phases, limiting early high-level usage.[20]Infrastructure and Multi-Use Features
The KymiRing facility includes a state-of-the-art pit building designed to support professional motorsport teams, with plans for a 45,000 square meter paddock area accommodating garages and hospitality suites, including 36 VIP rooms positioned above the pits.[21][5] A separate 2.3 km corporate circuit layout enables dedicated team training and private events, distinct from the main 4.5 km international track.[5] Spectator accommodations feature permanent grandstands with seating alongside general admission standing areas, supporting capacities of up to 35,000 seated and over 100,000 total with temporary structures for major events.[22] To promote year-round viability, the venue incorporates multi-use elements such as dedicated tracks for rallycross, supermoto, enduro, and karting, alongside open areas for off-road activities like enduro trails.[5][23] Non-motorsport utilization is emphasized through adaptable event spaces, exemplified by the planned KymiRing Triple on July 26-27, 2025, which will host competitions in cycling (up to 112.5 km), running, and roller skiing/skating directly on the circuit layout for both hobbyists and elite athletes.[24][25] Following acquisition by a consortium led by TRP Hungary in late 2024, infrastructure enhancements are underway to enable consistent operations across seasons, leveraging the site's 168 hectares for diverse corporate, training, and endurance sports programming.[2][5]Events and Competitions
Pre-Revival Events and Tests
The Kymi Ring circuit conducted its first on-track activity with a two-day MotoGP manufacturers' test on August 19 and 20, 2019, marking the inaugural use of the 4.6-kilometer track layout by premier-class machinery.[26] Test riders, including representatives from Honda, KTM, and Ducati, completed laps to gather initial data on track characteristics, surface grip, and setup baselines ahead of potential future refinements.[11] The session on August 19 proceeded under variable conditions, while the following day concluded early at approximately 16:00 local time due to heavy rainfall.[12] Subsequent usage remained limited to domestic competitions utilizing partial facilities. In 2021, the circuit hosted rounds of the Finnish Superbike Championship, including Superbike and Superstock 600 races as part of the CR SM series on July 2-4.[27] These events featured national-level motorcycle racing on select track sections, with participants recording lap times and competing in multiple heats. Earlier national superbike activity occurred sporadically, such as in August of an unspecified year within the 2020-2021 period, aligned with Finnish championship schedules.[28] No international championships were scheduled or held at the venue prior to 2022, as the circuit focused on preparatory and low-scale national testing to address operational readiness. Karting sessions were minimal and confined to domestic practice days without formal competitive records from major series during this timeframe.Post-Revival Championship Events
Following the acquisition of Kymi Ring by a consortium led by TRP Hungary in early 2024, the circuit hosted its inaugural post-revival international championship events in 2025, signaling renewed viability for high-level motorsport in Finland.[29][5] These included rounds of the RallyX Euro League, the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), and the FIA World Rallycross Championship, with the latter secured for three consecutive years through 2027, marking Finland's return to the World RX calendar after a multi-year absence.[30][31] The RallyX Euro League made its debut at Kymi Ring on June 13–15, 2025, as rounds 3 and 4 of the series, introducing the venue to this regional rallycross format amid the circuit's broader event calendar that also featured national championships and public track days.[32][19] This event underscored the track's adaptability for shorter-format, high-intensity racing on its mixed-surface layout, contributing to early momentum for potential series expansion.[33] The MXGP of Finland occurred on July 12–13, 2025, as round 13 of the FIM Motocross World Championship, debuting at Kymi Ring and becoming the northernmost event in MXGP history after replacing the canceled Indonesian round.[34][35] Belgian rider Lucas Coenen won the MX2 class, while Kay de Wolf took the overall MX2 victory with 50 points, highlighting the circuit's challenging terrain that tested riders on its purpose-built motocross sections.[36][37] The event drew international acclaim for its scenic Finnish setting and logistical success under new management.[6] Kymi Ring's entry into the FIA World Rallycross Championship culminated with the World RX of Finland on August 23–24, 2025, as round 4 of the season, where Norwegian driver Ole Christian Veiby secured victory in the RX1e class ahead of competitors from the Hansen team.[38][30] This multi-year commitment through 2027 not only revived Finland's presence in the series—absent since prior venues like Kouvola—but also validated the circuit's infrastructure for electric-hybrid rallycross vehicles on its 1.2 km track with gravel and asphalt sectors.[39] These championships collectively boosted attendance and media coverage, positioning Kymi Ring as a legitimate Nordic motorsport hub with scope for further international bids based on operational performance.[2]Controversies and Challenges
Financial Failures and Bankruptcy
The KymiRing circuit's financial distress escalated in mid-2022 when two construction companies, Maanrakennus Pekka Rautiainen ky and an associated firm, filed a bankruptcy petition against the project organizers at the Päijät-Häme District Court on June 28, 2022, citing unpaid invoices exceeding €600,000 for essential homologation-related work.[40] [4] These arrears formed part of mounting liabilities, with total project debts reported at approximately €25 million by August 2022, straining partnerships including those with local entities like the City of Lahti.[41] Persistent funding shortfalls, linked to repeated event postponements, triggered creditor actions and the insolvency of track construction entities involved.[42] Subsidiary operations, including KymiRing Events, succumbed to bankruptcy amid inability to service obligations, while broader project costs had inflated due to construction delays and unmet financial guarantees to investors.[43] The parent company formalized bankruptcy proceedings in April 2023, halting development and rendering the circuit non-operational for major international events.[5] Efforts to inject capital, such as preliminary 2023 negotiations involving Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas for potential acquisition, yielded no immediate stabilization, prolonging the financial collapse until external intervention in 2024.[44]Track Design Criticisms
During the August 2019 MotoGP manufacturer test at Kymi Ring, riders provided mixed initial feedback on the 4.6 km circuit's layout, which features 18 turns, a long main straight, and a tight, winding infield section. Aprilia test rider Bradley Smith described the track as "very different to anything we've seen before," highlighting its technical uniqueness but noting its tight and twisty nature, particularly the prevalence of off-camber corners that complicated braking and cornering.[45][46] Smith advocated for adjustments to corner camber to enhance safety and improve drainage, warning that the existing configuration posed difficulties for high-powered prototypes.[46] Predominant criticisms centered on the layout's lack of flow and excitement for MotoGP racing. KTM's Mika Kallio, a Finnish rider, called the experience "cool" but deemed sections too slow, with constant left-right transitions failing to suit the category's power demands; he urged longer straights between corners and changes to specific turns to boost speed and racing quality, stating the design risked producing "boring races."[47][46] Ducati test rider Michele Pirro echoed this, labeling the track "too slow and not spectacular enough for MotoGP," as it limited power utilization and favored smaller-displacement classes like Moto3 over premier prototypes.[48] The infield's narrow, monotonous twists were broadly faulted for restricting overtaking opportunities and overall spectacle, contrasting sharply with the circuit's ambitions to host elite events.[49] Despite these calls for redesign to enhance flow, overtaking zones, and suitability for MotoGP machinery, no substantial layout modifications were implemented prior to the project's 2023 collapse, exacerbating perceptions of the track as underdeveloped for high-level competition.[49][46]Legal Disputes with Organizers
In November 2022, Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder for MotoGP, initiated legal action against KymiRing Events Oy, the subsidiary responsible for event organization at the circuit, seeking recovery of approximately €6.4 million in unpaid fees.[50][47] The claim stemmed from a July 2021 promotion agreement for the Finnish Grand Prix, which was repeatedly postponed and ultimately canceled without the event occurring, leaving Dorna without the contracted payments for hosting rights and related services.[51][52] Parallel contractual issues arose with Youthstream, the promoter for the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), which relocated its planned Finnish Grand Prix from Kymi Ring in July 2022 amid the circuit's operational failures and unpaid obligations.[42][53] This move imposed additional relocation costs on the organizers, estimated in the context of broader homologation and preparation debts exceeding €600,000 owed to track certification firms, though specific MXGP claims were not publicly quantified.[40] Similar guarantees and breach notifications were reported with other motorsport bodies, reflecting patterns of unfulfilled financial commitments for event infrastructure and insurance.[54] These disputes remained unresolved as KymiRing Events entered bankruptcy proceedings in April 2023, with creditor claims prioritized under Finnish insolvency law but no reports of full recoveries by promoters prior to the circuit's ownership change.[5][55] The proceedings highlighted gaps in promoter accountability, as event contracts lacked robust enforcement mechanisms against organizer insolvency, leaving series entities to absorb losses from advance investments in promotion and logistics without reimbursement.[42]Revival and Current Status
Change in Ownership
In February 2024, a consortium led by TRP Hungary, a motorsports-focused group of companies, acquired the assets of the KymiRing circuit from the bankruptcy estate of its previous owner, KymiRing Oy.[55][29] The transaction, announced on February 15, established Finland Motorsport Circuit Holding Oy as the new entity to manage operations, marking a shift from prolonged dormancy following financial collapse.[5] The investors pledged targeted funding to finalize construction and achieve required safety and homologation standards for international competition, leveraging their expertise in circuit development and event hosting.[55] This infusion addressed prior stagnation, where the project had halted short of full operational capacity despite partial infrastructure completion.[29] Under the new Hungarian-Finnish partnership, management transitioned from a predominantly domestic Finnish approach to one emphasizing cross-European collaborations, facilitating access to broader networks for securing high-profile racing series and enhancing the venue's viability as a multi-discipline facility.[56][9]Developments and Events in 2025
In early 2025, KymiRing commenced operations with season-opening track days from April 25 to 27, facilitating initial testing and public access to assess track conditions post-revival. This was followed by the inaugural RallyX Euro League event on June 13-15, introducing high-speed rallycross to the venue and marking its entry into European series competition.[58] The circuit hosted the FIM MXGP World Championship's Finland round on July 12-13, added to the calendar as a replacement for the canceled MXGP of Indonesia, drawing top motocross riders to its northernmost layout in the series.[34] Complementing motorsport, the KymiRing Triple endurance multisport event occurred on July 26-27, incorporating cycling, running, and roller skiing circuits to demonstrate multi-use capabilities beyond racing.[59] August featured national and international fixtures, including the Finnish Superbike Championship on August 16-17 and the FIA World Rallycross Championship on August 23-24, where Ole Christian Veiby claimed victory in the premier class using a newly configured rallycross track.[60][38] Infrastructure enhancements, such as the rallycross development supported by Apex Circuit Design, enabled these events while prioritizing safety and spectator facilities.[61] By October 2025, the venue had accommodated three international championships and several national series, confirming operational readiness for rally, motocross, and superbike formats, with ongoing refinements to support endurance and track day programming.[62] Event feedback and attendance data from these fixtures serve as benchmarks for potential calendar expansions in subsequent years, though historical delays underscore the need for sustained financial stability.[63]References
- https://kymiring.com/[calendar](/page/Calendar)/