Igora Drive
Location
Novozhilovo, Priozersky District, Leningrad Oblast, Russia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Igora Drive - Leningrad Oblast, Russia
Modern multi-purpose motorsport complex north of Saint Petersburg - known for elevation changes, endurance racing and a wide variety of specialist tracks
When was the track built?
Construction began during the second half of the 2010s near the Igora year-round resort. The completed motorsport complex opened in 2019, approximately 50 km north of Saint Petersburg.
Igora Drive was designed as more than a single race circuit. Its 100-hectare site contains ten driving areas for circuit racing, karting, drifting, rallycross, motocross, off-road driving and safety training.
How has the circuit changed?
The original main circuit measured 4.086 km. A major extension opened in July 2022, adding new corners, a longer straight and more pronounced climbs and descents.
The resulting 5.183 km configuration contains 20 turns and elevation changes of approximately 20 m. The shorter course remains available, allowing organisers to choose a layout suited to the event.
What's the circuit like?
- Noticeable elevation changes: Crests and dips alter the car's balance and sometimes make the next part of the circuit difficult to see.
- Long acceleration zones: Powerful cars can build considerable speed before reaching the main braking areas.
- Varied corner speeds: Fast sweeping bends are mixed with slower turns where traction and accurate positioning become more important.
- Modern safety design: Wide runoff areas, gravel traps and extensive barriers provide additional space when a driver leaves the asphalt.
What races here?
- Russian Circuit Racing Series: Touring cars, GT machinery, sports prototypes and production-based categories compete in sprint races.
- Endurance racing: Longer events include pit stops, driver changes and strategy based on fuel, tyres and changing track conditions.
- Formula 4: Young single-seater drivers use the circuit as part of their development towards higher racing categories.
- Motorcycle racing: The main track hosts racing, festivals, training and public motorcycle sessions.
- Drift and rallycross: Separate specialist courses allow judged drifting and short mixed-surface races to take place within the same complex.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Grand Prix circuit race benchmark: 1:50.184 - Konstantin Tereshchenko in a Ligier JS53 Evo 2, August 2024.
- GT3 benchmark: 1:51.146 - Konstantin Tereshchenko in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, 2023.
- Formula 4 benchmark: 1:54.135 - Anatoly Khavalkin in a Tatuus F4-T421, 2025.
- Short-circuit touring-car benchmark: 1:40.235 - Kirill Ladygin in a LADA Vesta Sport TCR, 2020.
The 5.183 km and 4.086 km circuits have different lengths and corner combinations, so their lap times cannot be compared directly.
What else is at the complex?
Igora Drive includes a 1.2 km outdoor karting track, driver-training areas, motocross facilities and an automobile museum. Public activities include track days, racing-taxi rides, karting and guided tours of the pit building and race-control centre.
Some events also use the circuit during winter, when snow and ice create very different driving conditions from the summer racing season.
Why go?
Igora Drive offers several forms of motorsport in one modern complex. A major weekend may combine touring cars, GT racing, Formula 4, demonstrations and paddock activities, making it easy for newcomers to experience different types of competition.
The surrounding forest and rolling terrain also give the circuit a more natural appearance than many flat airfield-style venues.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit stops, grid activity and the chequered flag.
- Opening corners: Good for crowded first laps, heavy braking and early overtaking attempts.
- Elevated sections: Best for appreciating the climbs, descents and speed of the longer circuit.
- Rallycross spectator bank: A strong choice for short races, loose surfaces and Joker Lap strategy.
- Paddock and pit walk: Useful for seeing the cars, drivers and team preparation when access is included with the ticket.
Igora Drive is beside the A-121 highway in Leningrad Oblast. It can also be reached by bus or train from Saint Petersburg, although the final part of the journey may require a walk, shuttle or taxi. Entrances, grandstands and paddock access vary between events, so check the current visitor information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Igora Drive (Russia)
Igora Drive is in the Leningrad Region north of Saint Petersburg. Driving is the easiest way to visit, but buses from Devyatkino and Parnas and suburban trains from Finland Station also provide practical options for visitors without a car.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is the simplest option, particularly for large race meetings. The circuit is reached from Saint Petersburg using the A121 towards Priozersk.
- From Saint Petersburg: follow the A121 Priozerskoye Highway north towards Igora.
- From Vyborg: approach via the A181 before continuing through Kirpichnoye, Michurinskoye and Borisovo.
- Navigation: search directly for “Igora Drive” rather than simply entering Igora resort.
- Event days: follow temporary signs because spectator and VIP parking may use different approaches.
The circuit's official address is Priozerskoye Highway 3, Building 5, Priozersky District, Leningrad Region, Russia.
Getting there by train
Suburban trains provide a useful alternative to driving and leave from Finland Station in Saint Petersburg.
- Take a train towards Sosnovo, Priozersk or Kuznechnoye.
- For the closest stop, get off at Platform 69 km.
- From Platform 69 km: walk around 25–30 minutes through the Igora resort area or use a taxi for the approximately five-minute journey.
You can also continue to Sosnovo Station. From there, the circuit is around five minutes by taxi or you can use buses 859 or 960 towards Saint Petersburg and get off at Igora.
Getting there by bus
Direct regional buses from northern Saint Petersburg make Igora Drive possible to visit without using the railway.
- Bus 859: departs from the Northern Bus Station beside Devyatkino metro station.
- Bus 960: departs from Parnas metro station.
- Get off at: Igora.
- Return journey: check the latest timetable before attending an evening event.
The official circuit currently lists frequent daily departures on both routes, but schedules can change.
Flying in
Pulkovo Airport (LED) is the main airport for Saint Petersburg. It is on the opposite side of the city from Igora Drive, so allow plenty of time for the onward journey.
- Rental car or taxi: the simplest direct option from the airport.
- Public transport: travel into Saint Petersburg and connect towards Devyatkino, Parnas or Finland Station.
- Stay overnight: accommodation in the Igora resort area can reduce the amount of travelling required on a multi-day race weekend.
Saint Petersburg traffic can add significant time, so avoid planning a tight connection between a flight and the start of an event.
Parking
Igora Drive has large spectator parking areas, but parking arrangements depend on the event.
- General spectators: major events normally publish a dedicated route to the public parking areas.
- Large events: free parking is sometimes provided immediately outside the circuit entrance.
- VIP parking: may use a separate area inside the complex and require the correct ticket.
- Arrive early: the closest spaces fill first during popular meetings.
For example, Garage Fest 2026 offered free public parking in front of the circuit entrance and a separate VIP parking area. Other events may use different arrangements.
Where to stay
The Igora area has accommodation close to the circuit, while Saint Petersburg provides a much larger choice of hotels.
- Igora resort: the most convenient option if motorsport is the main purpose of your visit.
- Sosnovo: useful for rail connections and considerably closer to the circuit than central Saint Petersburg.
- Saint Petersburg: best for sightseeing and nightlife, but expect a much longer race-day journey.
For a multi-day meeting, staying near Igora can save several hours of travelling compared with returning to central Saint Petersburg each day.
Understanding the circuit
Igora Drive is a large modern motorsport complex with several different racing and driving facilities rather than just one circuit.
- Main circuit: 5.183 km long.
- Turns: 20, with 12 left and eight right.
- Direction: anti-clockwise.
- Elevation: up to approximately 20.5 metres of height difference.
- Other tracks: the complex also includes karting, rallycross and additional driving areas.
The main circuit was extended to its current 5.183 km configuration in 2022, so older maps may show the shorter original layout.
Race-day tips
- Check which track is being used: Igora Drive has several separate motorsport areas.
- Arrive early: popular events can create heavy traffic on the approach to the complex.
- Prepare for walking: the venue covers a large area and spectator zones can be far apart.
- Prepare for changing weather: conditions outside Saint Petersburg can change quickly even in summer.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children and spectators close to the circuit.
- Save the destination: Igora Drive, Priozerskoye Highway 3, Building 5, Leningrad Region, Russia.
For a first visit, driving directly to Igora Drive is the easiest plan. Without a car, take a suburban train to Platform 69 km or Sosnovo, or use bus 859 from Devyatkino or 960 from Parnas.
Train and bus schedules, parking areas, spectator entrances and event access can change. Check the official Igora Drive event information and current transport timetables before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Igora Drive (Leningrad Oblast, Russia)
Igora Drive is a large modern motorsport complex set among forests north of St Petersburg. Its long road circuit is joined by karting, rallycross, motocross and drift facilities - while an automobile museum, all-season resort, lakes and the wider Karelian Isthmus give visitors plenty to do away from the racing.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Igora Drive Auto Museum: Stay within the circuit complex to see historic cars and motorcycles, multimedia displays and a racing simulator.
- Igora Drive Karting Center: A 1.2 km outdoor kart track gives visitors a chance to experience some racing for themselves. Check rental availability before travelling.
- Igora Resort: The nearby all-season resort offers family activities, sports facilities and seasonal recreation, making it an easy addition to a motorsport weekend.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Igora Drive Auto Museum: The most convenient indoor attraction for race fans, with exhibitions covering important cars and motorcycles from the 20th century.
- Igora Resort SPA: Pools, saunas, wellness facilities and indoor recreation provide an easy alternative when the weather turns poor.
- St Petersburg museums: If you have a full free day, the city offers major indoor attractions alongside palaces, galleries and historic buildings.
Eat & drink around the circuit
- Igora Resort: The resort has several restaurants, cafés and bistros, making it the easiest area for meals without travelling far.
- Favorit: A convenient restaurant option associated with the Igora complex and useful for lunch or dinner around a track visit.
- Try Russian comfort food: Look for pelmeni dumplings, blini pancakes, soups and grilled dishes if you want an approachable introduction to local food.
Get outdoors between track days
- Igora Resort: Summer brings an equipped beach, outdoor pools and sports activities, while winter turns the area toward skiing and snow-based recreation.
- Losevo & the Vuoksa River: Head farther north for fast-flowing water, forest scenery and activities such as kayaking and rafting.
- Karelian Isthmus: Lakes, pine forest and quiet rural roads surround the circuit, making the area well suited to a slower drive or walk away from race-day crowds.
Weather can change quickly outside summer, and winter conditions may affect roads and individual circuit activities.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- St Petersburg: Allow a full day for Palace Square, the historic centre, museums and the Peter and Paul Fortress rather than trying to fit the city between race sessions.
- Priozersk: Continue north toward Lake Ladoga and visit the historic Korela Fortress for a change from modern motorsport.
- Losevo: Spend a quieter day around the Vuoksa River, with outdoor recreation and forest scenery forming the main attraction.
Good to know during race weekends
- Igora Drive is a large complex: Road racing, karting, rallycross, drifting and motocross use different areas, so check your event entrance before arriving.
- The main circuit changed in 2022: Older videos may show the original 4.086 km layout rather than today's longer 5.183 km Grand Prix configuration.
- Track tours are available: Guided introductory tours provide a useful option if you are visiting when no major public racing is taking place.
- A car offers the most flexibility: The circuit and countryside attractions are spread across the Priozersky District, while central St Petersburg is much farther south.
- Bring hearing protection: Circuit racing, drifting and rallycross can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, circuit configurations, spectator access, attraction opening hours and seasonal activities can change - check current information before travelling.