Mantorp Park
Location
Mantorp, Östergötland County, Sweden
Current Local Time
Track Info
Mantorp Park - Mantorp, Sweden
Historic Swedish circuit beside the E4 motorway - known for touring cars, junior single-seaters, Gatebil festivals and a main straight shared with drag racing
When was the track built?
Mantorp Park was constructed during 1968 and 1969 with financial support from BP Sweden. The original design was developed by Lars Olof Larsson with input from Swedish Grand Prix driver Joakim Bonnier.
The first circuit measured approximately 4.1 km and combined a permanent road course with a long drag strip. Its position beside the E4 motorway made it relatively easy for spectators to reach from Linköping, Mjölby and other parts of southern Sweden.
How has the circuit changed?
The original outer loop was replaced when Mantorp Park was redeveloped for the return of international racing in 1981. The revised course measured approximately 3.125 km and included two shorter layouts.
Further changes in 1997 produced the current 3.106 km long circuit. The Paris Loop measures 1.868 km, while the compact Mjölby Loop is 1.278 km.
What's the circuit like?
- Long acceleration zone: Slipstreaming is important on Strippen, where one car can use the reduced air resistance behind another to gain speed.
- Heavy braking at Mjölby: Drivers must slow sharply at the end of the straight, creating one of the clearest overtaking opportunities.
- Changing elevation: The climb towards Krönet, meaning the Crest, briefly limits the driver's view of the road ahead.
- Paris Corner: This long, tightening section rewards patience because accelerating too early can push the car wide.
How did it become famous?
European Formula Two first visited in 1971, when Swedish star Ronnie Peterson won in front of his home crowd. The championship returned during the early 1970s and again in 1981 and 1982.
Those later races were won by Stefan Johansson and Johnny Cecotto. Mantorp subsequently became an important venue for the Swedish Touring Car Championship and its successor series.
What races here?
- Touring cars: STCC and other Scandinavian championships use cars based loosely on familiar road models.
- Porsche racing: Carrera Cup Scandinavia brings closely matched 911 GT3 Cup cars to the circuit.
- Junior single-seaters: Formula Renault, Formula Nordic and similar categories have trained developing drivers.
- Drag racing: Top Fuel cars, motorcycles and other specialist machines compete in straight-line acceleration events.
- Gatebil: Large festivals combine track driving, drifting, time attack, modified-car displays and camping.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Modern outright race benchmark: 1:14.337 - Kevin Kleveros in a Tatuus Formula Renault 2.0, 2010.
- Formula 3 race lap: 1:14.720 - Joachim Johnsen in a Dallara F398, 2000.
- Porsche Carrera Cup: 1:15.183 - Daniel Roos in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2025.
- Historic Formula Two benchmark: 1:10.940 - Johnny Cecotto in a March 822, 1982.
Cecotto used the earlier 3.125 km layout, so his time is not directly comparable with records from the current circuit. Time-attack cars may also record faster laps without establishing a conventional race record.
Why go?
Mantorp Park offers several different forms of motorsport within one compact complex. A visitor might see circuit racing, drifting, drag racing and modified-car displays during the same festival weekend.
The venue has multiple grandstands, a concentrated paddock and a short lap, so cars return frequently and battles are relatively easy for a newcomer to follow.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight: Best for starts, pit-lane activity, drag racing and the finish.
- Mjölby Corner: Good for heavy braking, overtaking attempts and cars arriving side by side.
- Krönet: Watch cars become light over the crest before entering the next fast section.
- Paris Corner: Best for observing different racing lines through a long and difficult bend.
- Paddock: Useful for viewing the cars and teams closely when public access is included.
Mantorp Park is beside the E4 between Mjölby and Linköping. Mantorp has a commuter-rail station, although walking routes and event transport arrangements should be checked in advance. Grandstands are generally available, but reserved seating, paddock access, parking and entrances vary between events.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Mantorp Park (Sweden)
Mantorp Park is in Östergötland between Linköping and Mjölby, directly beside the E4 motorway. Driving is the easiest option, but visitors without a car can take an Östgötapendeln commuter train to Mantorp and continue to the circuit on foot or by taxi.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is particularly straightforward because Mantorp Park sits immediately beside one of Sweden's main motorways.
- From Linköping: take the E4 south towards Mjölby and leave at Exit 110 Mantorp.
- From Mjölby: follow the E4 north towards Linköping and use the same Exit 110.
- After the exit: continue towards Skänninge, passing the Circle K petrol station; the main entrance is on the left.
- Navigation: search for “Mantorp Park”.
Save the address as Parisvägen 8, 595 97 Mantorp, Sweden.
Getting there by train
Mantorp Park is more accessible by rail than many countryside circuits because Mantorp has its own commuter railway station.
- Travel to Linköping or Mjölby if arriving by long-distance train.
- Change to Östgötapendeln and travel to Mantorp station.
- Continue towards the circuit on foot or arrange a short taxi transfer.
Mantorp station is roughly 2.5 km from the circuit area. Check the walking route and the latest Östgötatrafiken timetable before travelling.
Flying in
Linköping City Airport (LPI) is the closest airport, approximately 25–30 km from Mantorp.
- Taxi or rental car: the simplest direct journey and normally around 25 minutes in light traffic.
- Public transport: travel towards Linköping Central Station and continue by Östgötapendeln to Mantorp.
- Stockholm Arlanda: offers a much wider selection of international flights but is around 260 km away by road.
- From Stockholm: taking a train towards Linköping and changing for Mantorp can be easier than driving the entire distance.
If a suitable flight to Linköping is available it is easily the most convenient airport, but international visitors may find Stockholm offers more choice.
Parking
Mantorp Park has several parking areas close to the circuit, grandstands and paddock facilities.
- Cars & motorcycles: dedicated visitor parking is available around the venue.
- Motorhomes: the circuit can also accommodate larger vehicles.
- Accessible parking: designated spaces are available inside the venue; inform staff at the entrance.
- Major events: follow temporary signs because different parking areas may be opened depending on crowd size.
Parking prices and exact locations can vary, so check the information for your individual event.
Camping & accommodation
Mantorp Park offers accommodation directly at the venue, which can be particularly useful for multi-day events.
- Camping: pitches are available within walking distance of the circuit for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
- Electricity: availability varies between events and camping areas.
- Cabins: Mantorp Park also has a small number of cabins that can be booked directly with the circuit.
- Nearby hotels: Mjölby and Linköping provide considerably more accommodation choices.
Camping locations and prices are event-specific, so book through the relevant race or festival page rather than assuming camping is always available.
Where to stay
Your best base depends on whether you prioritise the shortest race-day journey or restaurants and city facilities.
- Mantorp: closest to the circuit and convenient for visitors arriving by commuter train.
- Mjölby: a short drive away with hotels, restaurants and strong rail connections.
- Linköping: the largest nearby city and best for hotels, nightlife, long-distance trains and flights.
If you are visiting without a car, staying near Linköping or Mjölby station makes travelling to Mantorp by commuter train straightforward.
Understanding the circuit
Mantorp Park is one of Sweden's best-known motorsport venues and combines a permanent road-racing circuit with a drag strip.
- Built: 1968–1969.
- First race: 31 August 1969.
- Full circuit: 3.106 km.
- Paris layout: 1.868 km.
- Mjölby layout: 1.278 km.
- Capacity: approximately 8,000 permanent spectator seats.
The venue hosts circuit racing, drag racing, car festivals, track days and historic events, so the part of the complex being used can differ considerably between meetings.
Race-day tips
- Use Exit 110: it provides the simplest approach from either direction on the E4.
- Check your event map: circuit racing, drag racing and festivals can use different entrances and parking areas.
- Consider the train: it can avoid E4 traffic during particularly busy events.
- Prepare for changing weather: Swedish summer conditions can change quickly and many spectator areas are exposed.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly important during drag racing and for children.
- Save the address: Parisvägen 8, 595 97 Mantorp, Sweden.
For a first visit, driving via E4 Exit 110 is the simplest plan. Without a car, take Östgötapendeln to Mantorp station and arrange the final short journey to the circuit.
Parking, camping, entrances and spectator arrangements can change between events. Train services can also be affected by engineering work, so check the official Mantorp Park event information and current Östgötatrafiken timetable before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Mantorp Park (Mantorp, Sweden)
Mantorp Park is one of Sweden's most important motorsport venues, combining a permanent road circuit with a long tradition of drag racing, track days and major car festivals. Set in the Östergötland countryside between Mjölby and Linköping, it is also well placed for aviation museums, medieval towns, Lake Vättern and some of southern Sweden's best nature areas.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Swedish Air Force Museum: Head into Linköping for an impressive collection of Swedish military aircraft, aviation history and interactive exhibits that work well even for visitors who know little about aircraft.
- Gamla Linköping: Walk through an open-air historic town of wooden houses, cobbled lanes, workshops and gardens, with play areas and activities for children.
- Naturum Tåkern: Visit one of Sweden's best-known bird lakes, with observation towers, walking paths, a nature playground and the family-friendly Princess Estelle Fairytale Trail.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Swedish Air Force Museum: The strongest indoor choice for motorsport visitors, with everything from early aviation to Cold War aircraft and the recovered wreckage of a Swedish DC-3.
- Gamla Linköping: Several museum environments and historic buildings provide plenty to explore even when the weather is mixed.
- Vadstena: Explore one of Östergötland's best-preserved historic towns, including Vadstena Castle, medieval streets and the abbey associated with Saint Birgitta.
Eat & drink around Mantorp
- Mantorp & Mjölby: These are the easiest places for everyday cafés, supermarkets and relaxed meals close to the circuit.
- Try a Swedish fika: Take a break with coffee and something sweet such as a cinnamon bun - a simple way to experience an everyday Swedish tradition.
- Look for husmanskost: This means traditional Swedish home-style food, often including meatballs, potatoes, fish and seasonal ingredients.
- Linköping: Head into the city for the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and evening dining if you are staying for several days.
Get outdoors between race days
- Lake Tåkern: Walk between birdwatching areas and wetlands around this internationally known nature reserve.
- Omberg: Follow forest trails and viewpoints above Lake Vättern for one of the region's best combinations of hiking and scenery.
- Göta Canal: Head toward Berg or Motala for waterside walking and cycling beside one of Sweden's most famous waterways.
Swedish summer weather can shift quickly between sunshine, wind and rain, so a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes are useful even on warmer race weekends.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Linköping: Combine the Air Force Museum, Gamla Linköping, cathedral and city centre for an easy full day away from the circuit.
- Vadstena: Explore the castle, abbey and cobbled historic centre beside Lake Vättern.
- Omberg & Alvastra: Combine a mountain walk with the atmospheric ruins of Alvastra Monastery, founded in the 12th century.
- Motala: Visit Lake Vättern, the Göta Canal and the long sandy beach at Varamobaden.
Good to know during race weekends
- Mantorp Park has been racing since 1969: It opened as Sweden's first permanent racing circuit built to international standards and remains one of the country's major motorsport venues.
- Drag racing is a major part of its identity: The circuit has hosted drag racing since the 1970s alongside traditional road-course competition.
- Check which part of the venue is active: Circuit racing, drifting, drag events and track days can use different areas and have different spectator arrangements.
- Large festivals can be very busy: Allow extra time for parking and entry during events such as Gatebil and the major summer meetings.
- Bring hearing protection: Circuit racing and especially drag racing can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, circuit configurations, spectator access, parking arrangements, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.