Pannonia-Ring

The Pannonia Ring is a thoroughly modern facility in Hungary, close to the Austrian border, which remains largely overlooked by the world of professional racing. It's a shame, because with its wide run-off areas it is among the safest circuits out there and has a more challenging layout than the more popular Hungaroring.

Opened in 1997, the circuit was designed with motorcycle racing in mind, though no races of international significance have ever been held. Unusually, the track was licensed to operated in both directions, though the majority of events and track days lap in a clockwise direction.

The track is popular for testing, including by the Ducati team, while many rider training and amateur club racing events are held. When not in use for other events, the track is open for the public to lap in their own vehicles.

Perhaps slightly held back by its location, some 200km from Budapest, the circuit is however fairly easily reached from both Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria.

The track achieved its most famous moment to date when Michael Schumacher entered a largely amateur race here in 2008, during his brief flirtation with bike racing. Aboard a Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, Schumacher raced with German IDM Superbike racers Martin Bauer and Andy Meklau and 24 other amateur riders. The two pros did not have timing transponders and were relegated to the back of the grid, allowing Schumacher to qualify fastest, though he too elected to start at the rear. Racing for fun, the seven times F1 champion finished a creditable third behind Bauer and Meklau, though disappointed the 300 or so spectators by shunning the publicity of the podium ceremony.In 2014 new kerbing was installed which means the track can only now be driven in the clockwise direction.