EV firefighting, enhanced safety and AI. Autodrom Most is getting ready for the 2024 season

30.01.2024 11:25

In mid-January, work began at the Autodrom Most to further improve safety and comfort for drivers and visitors. The construction work will continue until the end of February and then Autodrom Most will slowly start looking forward to another season packed with top motorsport.

 

"Last year we had record attendance during the World Superbike Championship, which with 54,000 visitors became one of the main highlights of the motorsport season in the Czech Republic. We believe that this year even more fans will find their way to this spectacular show. We want to be as prepared as possible to once again meet the high expectations of riders and teams used to the standards of the world's leading circuits," says Josef Zajíček, Chairman of the Board of Autodrom Most.

 

In the past years, the entire track surface has been replaced, so this year the construction work is focused on the reconstruction and modification of selected safety zones in turns T16, T17 and T20. Other modifications concern the approach to the first turn T1 to improve safety during heavy braking. Another major change is the reconstruction of the kerbs in the last passage of the circuit and their replacement with a different type that will accommodate both cars and motorcycles. In addition, other works are being carried out, such as widening the pit lane entrance, installing new car restraint systems in turns T17 and T18 and, last but not least, further modification of the camera system that the Autodrom is developing itself. Based on last season's experience, two magnifying monitors will be added to increase the imaging capabilities for the sports commissioners.

 

Last year's newly installed camera system will be tested this year by artificial intelligence, which will be able to automatically detect, for example, fire or "unusual" vehicle movements, etc. At the same time, design and construction work is also underway for a new medical centre, which visitors should see as early as 2025.

 

"The race control is now undergoing further modifications, in which we want to make use of our experience from recent years. Probably the most interesting modification at the race control will be the testing of artificial intelligence in the camera system, which will help us to be more efficient in case of accidents. There will also be a further extension, which we are working on with a local company. We are trying to move our race track every year according to the latest rules and safety recommendations," says sports director Jindřich Hrneček.

 

New service vehicles for the 2024 season are also in the pipeline. There will be two new Hyundai i30 N. These vehicles will complement the already serving Hyundai rescue vehicles - the Safety car and the Medical car. Another new addition to the circuit's fleet will be the Hyundai Tucson RTP rescue special, which is a rapid technical assistance vehicle. This car will be a first responder intervention vehicle and is designed for initial intervention in car racing. The vehicle will be equipped with approximately 150 kg of combined extinguishing agent (powder, foam, CO2) and now also 15 kg of special gel extinguishing agent for Li-Ion batteries. At the same time, it will be equipped with hydraulic and mechanical extrication equipment. The Tucson RTP has, of course, all the protective equipment on board, including a special kit for intervention on electric vehicles.

 

In addition to news concerning the site itself, special training projects are also running in Most. "We are launching a unique project in the Czech Republic - Motorsport Rescue Camp(16-18 February). Its aim is to train rescue and support services in the field of motorsport so that they can work in maximum symbiosis. It is another piece of the puzzle of how to push safety to the highest level," explains sports director Jindřich Hrneček.

 

Autodrom Most will host the World Superbike Championship for the fourth time this year (19-21 July), which has become a regular part of the Most racing calendar. In addition to the superbikes, the next highlight of the season will be the traditional Czech Truck Prix European Circuit Truck Championship (30 August - 1 September), which will once again accompany the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. The FIA CEZ & ESET Cup (2-4 August) will also visit Most, featuring the Czech and Central European Car Racing Championships, Formula 4 and other automotive series. For all lovers of vintage cars, the highlight of the Most season will be the September car festival The Most CLASSIC (27-29 September), which combines racing, exhibition and a meeting of classic cars, their owners, collectors and fans.

text+foto: ADM

 

 

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