Nyirád Racing Center
Location
Nyirád, Veszprém, Hungary
Current Local Time
Track Info
Nyirád Racing Center - Nyirád, Hungary
Technical mixed-surface circuit known as the Red Cauldron - home to European rallycross, autocross and close-contact racing
When was the track built?
Nyirád developed as one of Hungary's earliest purpose-built rallycross and autocross venues. Its first rallycross championship event was held in 1988, followed by Central European competition from the 1990s.
The circuit lies in an area associated with red bauxite soil. Its sunken setting, reddish loose surface and surrounding banks led to the nickname Vörös Katlan, meaning the Red Cauldron.
When did international racing begin?
Nyirád hosted Hungary's first FIA European Rallycross Championship round in 2006. The series raced here regularly until 2013 before returning in 2022.
Another major milestone came in July 2024, when the venue staged the first World Rallycross Championship event held in Hungary.
What's the circuit like?
- Constant surface changes: Cars repeatedly move between asphalt, gravel and red clay, forcing drivers to adjust their braking and steering.
- Natural elevation: The counter-clockwise lap rises and falls through the bowl, with several corners partly hidden by crests.
- Wide but crowded: The track varies from approximately 10 to 16 m wide, yet several cars often arrive at the same corner together.
- Dust and loose stones: Following drivers may lose visibility while also dealing with reduced grip away from the cleanest racing line.
How does rallycross work?
- Short races: Several cars start together and complete only a small number of fast laps.
- Mixed surfaces: Rallycross combines circuit racing with the sliding and changing grip normally associated with rally stages.
- Joker Lap: Every driver must use a longer alternative route once during the race, turning its timing into an important strategy decision.
- Contact is possible: Cars race closely and may touch, although pushing another competitor off the circuit can result in a penalty.
What else races here?
- Autocross: Specially built cars compete on a separate 1.040 km loose-surface course without asphalt sections.
- Hungarian rallycross: National categories range from powerful four-wheel-drive cars to more affordable production-based machines.
- Central European events: Competitors from neighbouring countries meet during regional championship weekends.
- Testing and amateur events: The facility is also used for vehicle development, practice and smaller club competitions.
Major events and milestones
- 1988: The first rallycross championship event was held at Nyirád.
- 1994: The circuit joined the FIA Central European Zone Trophy programme.
- 2006: Nyirád hosted its first European Rallycross Championship round.
- 2024: Hungary's first World Rallycross Championship event took place at the Red Cauldron.
Rallycross events use different categories and race formats, so lap times are rarely treated as one permanent outright circuit record.
Why go?
Nyirád offers the compact and intense experience that makes rallycross easy for newcomers to enjoy. Races are short, several cars compete together and the lead can change when drivers take their Joker Laps.
The natural bowl also allows spectators to see several sections from one area while remaining close to the sound, dust and movement of the cars.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Elevated spectator banks: Best for seeing several corners and understanding how the lap fits together.
- Start and first corner: Good for launches, tightly packed fields and early position changes.
- Joker Lap junction: Best for following strategy as cars separate and rejoin the main route.
- Loose-surface corners: Watch cars slide, throw up dust and fight for traction under acceleration.
Nyirád Racing Center is in western Hungary, approximately 25 km north of Lake Balaton. Spectator banks, grandstands, parking and permitted equipment can vary between events, so check the organiser's current visitor information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Nyirád Racing Center (Hungary)
Nyirád Racing Center is in western Hungary, around 25 km north of Lake Balaton. Driving is by far the easiest way to visit because the circuit is approximately 5 km outside Nyirád village in a rural forested area.
Driving to the circuit
For most spectators, driving is the simplest option. Nyirád Racing Center is hidden away from the village in a former mining area, so the final few kilometres are along local roads.
- Approach from the east: the circuit states that access is from the Tapolca–Nyirád road.
- Look for circuit signs: the turn onto the access road is signposted.
- Do not navigate only to Nyirád: the village itself is approximately 5 km from the race track.
- Allow extra time: large rallycross and autocross events can create queues on the limited roads approaching the venue.
For navigation, use Nyirád Racing Center or the coordinates 46°58'11"N, 17°25'00"E.
Train & bus
Visiting without a car is possible, but it requires more planning. Nyirád does not have its own railway station and the circuit is outside the village.
- Ajka: a useful railway connection for visitors coming from Budapest.
- Tapolca: convenient if you are staying around Lake Balaton.
- Sümeg: another nearby town with rail connections and accommodation.
- Nyirád village: regional buses serve the village, but you still need transport for the final journey to the circuit.
A taxi, pre-arranged transfer or lift from another spectator is much easier than trying to walk from Nyirád village to the track.
Flying in
Budapest Airport (BUD) is the most practical major international gateway for many visitors. From the airport, driving to the Nyirád area takes a little over two hours in normal conditions.
- Rental car: usually the easiest choice, particularly if you are attending the whole weekend.
- By public transport: travel towards western Hungary and continue through towns such as Ajka or Veszprém before arranging the final transfer.
- Vienna Airport: can also be a useful alternative for international visitors travelling by car.
Because the circuit is remote, choosing your airport based on the best flight and hiring a car is often easier than trying to complete the entire journey by public transport.
Parking & camping
Nyirád is designed around spectators arriving by road, with parking areas close to the motorsport complex. Exact arrangements depend on the event.
- General parking: follow the signs and marshals when you arrive rather than choosing your own area.
- VIP parking: included with eligible VIP tickets at selected major events.
- Camping: some major meetings offer a dedicated fenced camping area at the end of the parking area.
- Event-specific rules: parking and camping tickets may need to be purchased separately.
The circuit's current camping package includes a designated camping area, basic generator electricity and access to washing facilities in the paddock area.
Understanding the venue
Nyirád is known as the “Red Cauldron” because the circuit sits in a former bauxite quarry and its loose-surface sections have a distinctive red colour.
- Rallycross: uses a technical mixture of asphalt and loose surface with a Joker Lap.
- Autocross: uses different sections of the complex and a predominantly loose-surface layout.
- Natural bowl: the circuit sits below much of the surrounding spectator area, providing good views from the banks.
- Expect dust: dry-weather racing can produce large amounts of red dust around spectator areas.
The circuit has hosted championship racing since 1988 and regularly stages major European rallycross and autocross events.
Where to stay
Accommodation directly around the circuit is limited, so most visitors stay in one of the nearby towns or around Lake Balaton.
- Tapolca: around 16 km from the circuit and a convenient choice with hotels, restaurants and rail connections.
- Sümeg: also around 16 km away and useful if you have a car.
- Ajka: approximately 17 km away and particularly useful for railway connections towards Budapest.
- Lake Balaton: offers a much larger choice of holiday accommodation if you do not mind a longer drive each morning.
Race-day tips
- Arrive early: there are few roads into the circuit and traffic builds quickly before major events.
- Fill up beforehand: buy fuel, drinks and anything else you need before heading to the track.
- Wear suitable shoes: spectator areas include grass, dirt and uneven banks.
- Prepare for dust: dry conditions can cover shoes, clothing and equipment in red dirt.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children and spectators staying close to the track.
- Save the location: 8454 Nyirád, Hrsz. 075/9, Hungary.
For a first visit, the easiest plan is to stay in Tapolca, Sümeg or Ajka and drive to the circuit each day. If you are coming from abroad, hiring a car will make the journey considerably easier.
Parking, camping, entrances and event-day traffic arrangements can change between race meetings. Check the official Nyirád Racing Center information for your individual event before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Nyirád Racing Center (Nyirád, Hungary)
Nyirád Racing Center is one of Hungary's best-known rallycross venues, famous for its red loose surface and bowl-like setting that earned it the nickname “Red Cauldron”. Hidden in the countryside north of Lake Balaton, it combines fast mixed-surface racing with easy access to caves, castles, thermal water and some of western Hungary's best scenery.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Tapolca Lake Cave: Take a small boat through an underground cave system beneath the town of Tapolca. The visitor centre explains how the caves formed before you head below ground.
- Sümeg Castle: A well-preserved medieval fortress on a steep hill, with interactive exhibitions and seasonal historical programmes that make it approachable for children.
- Lake Balaton: Hungary's best-known holiday lake has beaches, promenades and family activities throughout the warmer months.
Tapolca Lake Cave can be very popular in summer, so booking ahead is sensible.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Tapolca Lake Cave: Most of the experience is underground or inside the visitor centre, making it one of the area's easiest wet-weather choices.
- Festetics Palace, Keszthely: A grand Baroque palace near the western end of Lake Balaton with historic rooms, exhibitions and an extensive former aristocratic library.
- Sümeg Castle exhibitions: The renovated castle includes interactive displays explaining medieval life, weapons and the history of the fortress.
Eat & drink around the circuit
- Tapolca: The most useful nearby town for cafés, pizza, Hungarian restaurants and an evening meal after racing.
- Try lángos: This fried flatbread topped with ingredients such as garlic, sour cream and cheese is a classic snack around Lake Balaton.
- Hungarian comfort food: Look for goulash soup, chicken paprikash and other paprika-rich dishes if you want an easy introduction to local cooking.
- Badacsony: The volcanic hills beside Lake Balaton are an important wine-growing area and also have restaurants with excellent lake views.
Get outdoors between race days
- Lake Balaton: Swim, walk beside the water or hire a bike for an easier outdoor day after a full race meeting.
- Badacsony: Walk through vineyards and woodland on the slopes of this distinctive volcanic hill for wide views across Lake Balaton.
- Balaton Uplands: The countryside north of the lake is filled with volcanic hills, small villages and walking routes that work well for a half-day drive.
Summer temperatures can be high, so carry water and avoid exposed hikes during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Hévíz: Relax in the famous natural thermal lake, where warm water makes outdoor bathing possible throughout the year.
- Szigliget Castle: Explore a hilltop fortress overlooking Lake Balaton and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
- Keszthely: Combine Festetics Palace with the waterfront and an easy walk around one of Lake Balaton's main historic towns.
- Tihany: Allow a longer outing for the peninsula, Benedictine abbey, old village streets and some of the best-known views across Lake Balaton.
Good to know during race weekends
- Rallycross is short and intense: Several cars race together over brief heats on both paved and loose surfaces, with each driver required to use the longer Joker Lap during the race.
- Expect red dust: Nyirád's distinctive loose surface can coat shoes, clothes and parked cars during dry events, so avoid wearing anything too precious.
- A car is the easiest option: The circuit is in a rural area and nearby attractions are spread across the countryside, making driving much more convenient than relying on public transport.
- Check the exact event: International rallycross, national meetings and autocross events can use different timetables, entrances and spectator arrangements.
- Bring hearing and sun protection: Race cars are extremely loud at close range, while exposed spectator areas can become hot during summer meetings.
Race schedules, spectator access, parking, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.