Bikernieku Trase
Location
Riga, Latvia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Biķernieku Trase - Riga, Latvia
Historic forest racing complex - home to circuit racing, rallycross, drifting, motorcycles, karting and speedway
When was the track built?
Planning began in 1962, with designers aiming to preserve as much of the surrounding Biķernieki Forest as possible. Construction started in January 1966, but marshland and underground springs made the work difficult.
Drivers, officials and their families contributed more than 10,000 hours of voluntary work. The first section opened in July 1966, followed by the automobile course in 1967 and the larger combined circuit in 1968.
What's the circuit like?
- Designed to test skill: The original designers avoided very long straights and instead used corners of different sizes, climbs and descents.
- Forest setting: Much of the asphalt passes between tall trees, giving the circuit a distinctive appearance and limiting views around some bends.
- Several layouts: Different sections can be connected or separated for cars, motorcycles, karting, drifting and other activities.
- Demanding braking zones: Drivers must repeatedly slow, turn and accelerate, making balance and accurate positioning especially important.
What races here?
- Baltic circuit racing: Touring cars, GT cars and one-make categories compete during Baltic championship meetings.
- Rallycross: Short races combine asphalt and gravel, with drivers required to use an alternative Joker Lap once per race.
- Drifting: Biķernieki is known for fast entries, concrete walls and close tandem battles involving two cars.
- Motorcycles and karting: Separate configurations allow both national competition and practice sessions.
- Speedway: A 355 m dirt oval beside the road circuit hosts four-rider motorcycle races.
Records and historic moments
- Opening meeting: Motorcycle racing began on 30 July 1966, with Kārlis Ošiņš winning two classes.
- Automobile circuit: The 3.662 km High-Speed Ring was completed in 1967.
- International rallycross: A modern mixed-surface layout opened in 2016 and later hosted World and European championship events.
- Outright benchmark: 1:12.725 - Tõnis Vanaselja in the Oldbac Kalana, June 2024.
Biķernieki uses several course configurations, so lap times from different layouts and competition types are not directly comparable.
Why go?
Biķernieki combines international-level motorsport with an unusual location inside Latvia's capital. Depending on the event, visitors may see conventional circuit racing, drifting, rallycross or motorcycles at the same complex.
The forest surroundings create a more natural atmosphere than a modern stadium circuit. The Riga Motor Museum is also beside the venue, making it possible to combine live racing with a visit focused on Baltic motoring history.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight grandstand: Best for race starts, finishes, pit-lane activity and cars entering the opening corners.
- Rallycross stadium: Good for seeing the mixed surfaces, close racing and drivers entering the Joker Lap.
- Drift competition stands: Best for watching high-speed entries, direction changes and tandem battles.
- Elevated forest sections: Some events open viewing areas that show several corners, although access varies with the layout.
Biķernieku Trase is on Sergeja Eizenšteina Street in eastern Riga. Different events use different entrances, grandstands and course configurations, so check the official event information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Biķernieku Trase (Riga)
Biķernieku Trase is in eastern Riga, around 10 km from the city centre. Unlike many race circuits, it is easy to reach without a car: buses and trolleybuses stop close to the venue, while driving or taking a taxi is also straightforward.
Getting there by public transport
Public transport is one of the easiest ways to visit Biķernieki, particularly for visitors staying in central Riga. Several city routes serve the streets immediately around the circuit.
- Bus 5: provides a connection towards the Biķernieki area and the nearby Motormuzejs stop.
- Buses 15, 16 and 31: serve the Biķernieki and Sergeja Eizenšteina Street area.
- Trolleybuses 14 and 18: also provide useful connections from central Riga towards the circuit.
- Useful stops: look for Motormuzejs, Sporta bāze “Biķernieki” or stops on Sergeja Eizenšteina Street.
Large motorsport events can bring extra services or temporary route changes, so check Rīgas satiksme before travelling.
Driving to the circuit
Biķernieki is inside Riga rather than outside the city, so reaching it by car is relatively simple. The main challenge is event-day traffic close to the entrance.
- From central Riga: head east towards Biķernieku iela and Sergeja Eizenšteina iela.
- Navigation: search for “Biķernieku Trase” or “Biķernieku kompleksā sporta bāze”.
- Major events: expect temporary traffic controls and heavier congestion around the circuit.
- Follow event signs: different competitions can use different entrances and sections of the complex.
Save the address as Sergeja Eizenšteina iela 16, Riga, Latvia.
Parking
There is no single parking arrangement that applies to every Biķernieki event. Large drift, rallycross and circuit meetings normally publish their own parking plan.
- Street parking: may be available around the venue where signs allow it.
- Main event parking: larger meetings can open a paid parking area close to the spectator entrance.
- Premium parking: some events sell passes allowing vehicles to park inside the wider circuit complex.
- Public transport: often the easier choice when a major international event is taking place.
As an example, Drift Masters Riga 2026 offered free legal street parking, a €7-per-day main entrance car park and separate premium parking. Other events may be completely different.
Flying in
Riga Airport (RIX) is the main airport for international visitors. It is west of the city, while Biķernieki is on the eastern side.
- Taxi or rideshare: the simplest direct option from the airport to the circuit.
- Rental car: useful if Biķernieki is part of a longer trip around Latvia.
- Public transport: take bus 22 from the airport towards central Riga, then change to a city service towards Biķernieki.
Airport bus 22 connects Riga Airport with the city centre and Central Station area. There is no direct airport bus to the circuit.
Coming from central Riga
Staying in central Riga is a good option because you can reach the circuit without needing a rental car and still have easy access to hotels, restaurants and the Old Town.
- By public transport: allow around 25–40 minutes depending on your starting point and route.
- By taxi or rideshare: usually the quickest and simplest option for a small group.
- After the event: expect high demand for taxis and crowded buses immediately after major races.
If thousands of spectators are leaving at once, waiting a short time before travelling can make the return journey much easier.
Understanding the venue
Biķernieki is a large motorsport complex rather than one simple race track. Different parts of the site are used for circuit racing, drifting, rallycross and other events.
- Check your event map: the correct spectator entrance depends on which part of the complex is being used.
- Allow time to walk: spectator areas can be spread around the forested site.
- Do not follow the paddock entrance automatically: competitor and spectator access may be separate.
Knowing your ticket sector or spectator gate before arriving will save time at larger events.
Race-day tips
- Consider public transport: Biķernieki is unusually well connected for a race circuit and it avoids parking queues.
- Arrive early: major drift and rallycross meetings attract large crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the complex is large and surrounded by forest, so expect plenty of walking.
- Prepare for changing weather: Riga can be warm, wet and windy on the same day.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children and anyone sitting close to the circuit.
- Save the address: Sergeja Eizenšteina iela 16, Riga, Latvia.
For a first visit, staying in central Riga and travelling to Biķernieki by public transport or taxi is usually the easiest option. A car is useful, but unlike many motorsport venues it is certainly not essential.
Public transport routes, parking prices, entrances and event-day traffic arrangements can change. Check your event information and the latest Rīgas satiksme timetable before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Biķernieku Trase (Riga, Latvia)
Biķernieku Trase is Latvia's best-known permanent motorsport complex, hidden among pine forest inside Riga itself. Circuit racing, rallycross, drifting, motorcycles and speedway all use different parts of the venue - and with a major motor museum next door plus Riga's Old Town, markets and museums across the city, it is an unusually easy circuit to combine with sightseeing.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Riga Motor Museum: The easiest attraction to combine with a race weekend. It has the largest collection of historic vehicles in the Baltics, including racing cars, motorcycles and unusual Soviet-era vehicles.
- Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum: Traditional farmhouses, workshops and historic buildings from across Latvia are preserved in a large lakeside setting.
- Mežaparks & Riga Zoo: A large green recreation area beside Lake Ķīšezers, with walking paths and the city's zoo - a straightforward option for families needing a quieter day.
Culture & important history
- Riga Old Town: Walk through medieval streets and squares around Riga Cathedral, St. Peter's Church and the House of the Black Heads. The historic centre is UNESCO listed.
- Latvian National Museum of Art: A strong indoor option covering the development of Latvian art in an impressive city-centre building.
- Biķernieki Memorial: The nearby forest was a mass-murder site during the Nazi occupation. The memorial commemorates Holocaust victims murdered here and should be visited as a place of quiet remembrance rather than a conventional tourist attraction.
Eat & drink around the circuit
- Riga Central Market: Explore five huge market pavilions for bread, smoked fish, meat, cheese, produce and inexpensive meals.
- Old Town: Best for the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and evening dining once the racing has finished.
- Try Latvian flavours: Look for dark rye bread, smoked fish, pork dishes and hearty seasonal food. Garlic rye-bread snacks are an easy introduction to local cuisine.
Get outdoors beside the track
- Biķernieki running trail: The motorsport complex has a marked 3 km running route that can even remain usable while some circuit events are taking place.
- Biķernieki MTB trail: A separate marked 2 km mountain-bike route runs through the forest around the complex.
- Mežaparks: Head north for more extensive walking, cycling and lakeside recreation without leaving Riga.
Riga weather can change quickly. A light waterproof layer is useful even during summer race weekends.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Jūrmala: Latvia's famous Baltic seaside resort has a long sandy beach, pine forest and cafés around Jomas Street. Trains make it an easy trip from central Riga.
- Sigulda & Gauja National Park: Head inland for forested river valleys, castles, hiking and viewpoints. Allow most of a day.
- Rundāle Palace: A grand Baroque and Rococo palace with ornate rooms, formal gardens and a large rose garden. Driving or an organised tour is easiest.
Good to know during race weekends
- Check which layout is being used: Circuit racing, drifting, rallycross and speedway take place in different parts of the complex, so entrances and spectator areas can change.
- The venue is larger than it first appears: Several tracks and activity areas are spread through the forest. Check your event information before choosing where to enter.
- You do not need to stay beside the circuit: Because Biķernieki is inside Riga, staying closer to the city centre can make restaurants and sightseeing easier.
- Bring hearing protection: Drift, rallycross and circuit events can be extremely loud, particularly for children.
- Allow for event restrictions: Parts of the complex and surrounding paths can have altered access before and during major international meetings.
Race schedules, layouts, spectator access, attraction opening hours and transport arrangements can change - check current information before travelling.