Czech Grand Prix tops IRTA poll.

The Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno has won the coveted IRTA 'Best Grand Prix Trophy' for 2004, regaining the title it won for the first time in 1999.

The award also ends three years of dominance by Spanish circuits, although Brno had to beat off a strong challenge from Valencia - the trophy winner in 2002-03, with
Sepang in third place.

The Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno has won the coveted IRTA 'Best Grand Prix Trophy' for 2004, regaining the title it won for the first time in 1999.

The award also ends three years of dominance by Spanish circuits, although Brno had to beat off a strong challenge from Valencia - the trophy winner in 2002-03, with
Sepang in third place.

The 'Best Grand Prix' Trophy is awarded based on a points-scoring system that covers every aspect of running a grand prix - from track safety, medical facilities, paddock and media facilities to event management and on-track officials.

Brno's success in 2004 underlines a performance that has been improving year on year since it last won, with CEO Ludek Starham overseeing an operation tightly run by events manager Radka Dvorakova.

Clerk of the course Vaclav Janek was praised for his contribution, as were the track marshals under his control, who were rated 'among the best encountered on the 16-race calendar', with every emergency swiftly dealt with. The medical staff, under the guidance of Dr Ivo Dedek, and the state-of-the-art on-track mini-hospital were also mentioned in despatches.

The undulating circuit has a difference in elevation resulting in fast flowing downhill sections and a long uphill run to the final chicane just before the end of the lap. The part of the circuit between the two sections forms a natural amphitheatre a dream for spectators who crowed the area in their tens of thousands.

Facilities are among the very best with 27 large, well-equipped pit boxes, extensive paddock area and good hospitality areas. Communications systems are good and when the planned alterations to the media centre have been completed Brno will be the envy of all rivals.

"The recognition of best GP of the year is an award well deserved by the Circuit of Brno for its continued effort in improving its services and infrastructures," IRTA president Sito Pons commented.

"It currently meets the expectations of the teams and also of the public as host of an event of the magnitude of the Motorcycling World Championship," added the Camel Honda team principal. "The teams are grateful for this and the audiences are on the increase. Although held in the middle of the summer, what may be a deterrent by some standards, the Brno GP is highly valued by all the teams."

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