:Motorcenter Norway
{{Short description|Motor racing track in Norway}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| name = Motorcenter Norway
| nicknames =
| time = CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
| location = Sokndal, Norway
| coordinates = {{Coord|58|20|45|N|6|23|47|E|display=it}}
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_caption =
| capacity =
| FIA_grade = 3
| owner =
| operator =
| broke_ground = 2016
| opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2021|07|02}}
| closed =
| construction_cost= NOK 130 million
| architect = APEX Circuit Design{{cite web |title=Motorcenter Norway |url=https://www.apexcircuitdesign.com/experience/motorcenter-norway |access-date=8 April 2023}}
| former_names = KNA Raceway Sokndal
| events =
| layout1 = Full Circuit (2021–present)
| surface =
| length_km = 2.324
| length_mi = 1.444
| turns = 14
| banking =
| record_time = 1:07.910{{cite web |title=Racing NM Sokndal 2021 Norsk GT 1 & +, Heat 1, 9 laps |url=https://www.svenskracing.se/race/resultlist/?race=2698&heat=2004&type=heat1 |date=3 July 2021 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
| record_driver = {{flagicon|NOR}} Wiggo Dalmo
| record_car = Audi R8
| record_year = 2021
| record_class = Norwegian GT1
| embedded =
| website =
}}
Motorcenter Norway, formerly known as KNA Raceway Sokndal, is a motorsport center and race track in the mountains at Kroheia in Sokndal, Norway, south in Rogaland county near the border of Agder county.
The facilities consist of a {{cvt|2.324|km|mi|abbr=on}} road race track for cars and motorcycles{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-11-07|language=no|title=Dette er Norges nyeste racerbane|url=https://www.abcnyheter.no/a/195798762/|work=www.abcnyheter.no}} constructed according to FIA Grade 3 and FIM Grade B,{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-07-05|first=Hallgeir|language=nb-NO|surname=Raknerud|title=Suksess for den nye banen i Sokndal|url=https://bilsport.no/suksess-for-den-nye-banen-i-sokndal/|work=Norsk bilsport}} an off-road racing area of 381 decare (381 000 m2), an indoor motocross track, as well as a dragstrip on part of the road race track.{{cite web |title=Racingbanen |url=https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/racingbanen/ |publisher=Motorcenter Norway |access-date=8 April 2023}} A kart racing track and a dedicated dragstrip has also been planned.
It has been discussed as a potential national center for Norwegian motorsport in the future pending further development.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-04-22|language=nb|title=Motorcenter Norway kan bli nasjonalanlegg for motorsport|url=https://www.aftenbladet.no/lokalt/i/860Owr/motorcenter-norway-kan-bli-nasjonalanlegg-for-motorsport|work=www.aftenbladet.no}}
History
The facility is built near an open-pit mine.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2020-06-25|language=no|title=Satser 119 millioner - her kan du kjøre neste år|url=https://www.tv2.no/broom/satser-119-millioner-her-kan-du-kjore-neste-ar/11513091/|work=TV 2}} It was opened in July 2021, and development had then taken 18 years and cost NOK 130 million.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-09-04|language=no|title=Det har tatt 18 år og kostet 130 millioner - åpnet midt i pandemien|url=https://www.tv2.no/broom/det-har-tatt-18-ar-og-kostet-130-millioner-apnet-midt-i-pandemien/14192690/|work=TV 2}} Later the same year it was announced that the construction had exceeded the budget by NOK 29 million.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-10-12|language=nb|title=Ga gass for motorsport i verdenklasse, gikk på en kjempesprekk|url=https://www.aftenbladet.no/lokalt/i/y4m7kK/ga-gass-for-motorsport-i-verdensklasse-gikk-paa-en-kjempesprekk|work=www.aftenbladet.no}}
The official opening ceremony was held 29 September 2021, with Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg present doing the ribbon-cutting in front of volunteers and athletes.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|language=no|title=Statsminister Erna Solberg åpner KNA Raceway – Norges mest eksotiske motorsportanlegg {{!}} KNA - Kongelig Norsk Automobilklub|url=https://kommunikasjon.ntb.no/pressemelding/statsminister-erna-solberg-apner-kna-raceway-norges-mest-eksotiske-motorsportanlegg?publisherId=17846981&releaseId=17914404|work=kommunikasjon.ntb.no}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-08-29|language=nb|title=Full fart da Erna åpnet motorsportsenter i verdenklasse|url=https://www.aftenbladet.no/lokalt/i/rEzP5l/fra-cittaslow-til-cittafast-erna-aapnet-motorsportsenter-i-sokndal|work=www.aftenbladet.no}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|language=nb-NO|title=Statsminister Erna Solberg åpner KNA Raceway – Norges mest eksotiske motorsportanlegg|url=https://kna.no/bilsport/erna-solberg-apner-kna-raceway/|work=KNA}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-08-31|first=Tor H.|language=no|surname=Omland|title=Statsminister Erna Solberg åpnet Motorcenter Norway i Sokndal|url=https://www.mcavisa.no/statsminister-erna-solberg-apnet-motorcenter-norway-i-sokndal/19.4123|work=MC-avisa}} Before that, the Norwegian tarmac racing championship for cars had "started early", on the weekend of 2-4 July 2021.{{cite web |title=Vellykket ilddåp for det ferske millionanlegget i Sokndal |url=https://www.aftenbladet.no/sport/i/KyErGG/vellykket-ilddaap-for-det-ferske-millionanlegget-i-sokndal |date=5 July 2021 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
In 2022, the track held the third and last round{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|first=Eirik |last=Halvorsen |language=no|title=NDC 2022 -|url=https://norwegiandrift.no/index.php/arrangement/serie/detaljer/1744|work=norwegiandrift.no}} of the Norwegian drifting championship.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|title=NM Drifting - Motorcenter Norway - Sokndal kommune|url=https://www.sokndal.kommune.no/Kalender/CalendarEvent.aspx?Id=826&lang=1&MId1=7|work=www.sokndal.kommune.no}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2022-10-08|first=Erik|language=no|surname=Thime|title=NM i drifting på Motorcenter Norway: Marianne (29) er en av gutta i sin rosa bil|url=https://www.jbl.no/5-103-819897|work=Jærbladet}} The track also held the Norwegian championship and cup in motorcycle road racing the same year.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2022-09-09|first=Erik|language=no|surname=Thime|title=Stor motorhelg på Kroheia: – Roadracing er det nærmeste MC-folket kommer Formel 1|url=https://www.dalane-tidende.no/5-101-510605|work=Dalane Tidende}}
Road race track
The road race track is {{cvt|2.324|km|mi|abbr=on}} long with 14 turns,{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-11-07|language=no|title=Dette er Norges nyeste racerbane|url=https://www.abcnyheter.no/a/195798762/|work=www.abcnyheter.no}} is driven in a counter-clockwise direction, and has a corkscrew-turn (turn 3 and 4){{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-08-31|first=Tor H.|language=no|surname=Omland|title=Statsminister Erna Solberg åpnet Motorcenter Norway i Sokndal|url=https://www.mcavisa.no/statsminister-erna-solberg-apnet-motorcenter-norway-i-sokndal/19.3055|work=MC-avisa}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|language=nb-NO|title=Berg- og dalbane|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol9qIg2EiTw}} which has been dubbed "the Laguna Seca of the Nordics".{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|date=2021-07-06|language=no|surname=therje1|title=Racing NM Runde 3 Sokndal|url=https://www.historiskracing.no/post/racing-nm-runde-3-sokndal|work=Historisk Racing NOR}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|language=nb|title=Berg- og dalbane|url=https://www.norskporsche.no/magasin/berg-og-dalbane|work=Norsk Porsche}} The track has been constructed according to requirements for all types of races in touring, GT and open-wheel racing up to and including Formula 3. The track can also be used for Formula 2 and Formula 1 testing, but not races. For motorcycle, the track is approved for all classes within road racing.
Service building
A {{cvt|400|m2|abbr=on}} service building has been planned, consisting of a cafeteria, 20 pit garages and a grandstand with an overview of the road race track.[https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/pitgarasje-og-servicebygg/ Pitgarasje og servicebygg - Motorcenter Norway]
Dragstrip
A dedicated dragstrip has been planned.[https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/dragstripe/ Dragstripe - Motorcenter Norway] In the meantime, a temporary dragstrip for street-legal vehicles has been established at the straight of the road race track.
Kart track
A karting track has been planned. The area has been set aside, and initial construction work on the ground has been done.[https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/gokartbanen/ Gokartbanen - Motorcenter Norway] The track has been designed to be technically demanding, and will also be used for minibike and supermoto.
Motocross track
The motocross track is Norways only indoor track for moto cross,{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-08|language=nb-NO|title=Motorcenter Norway|url=https://visitsokndal.no/motorcenter-norway/|work=Visit Sokndal}} and is open half of the year during the winter season. In the summer season, the hall is used for concerts, trade fairs, exhibitions, et cetera. In connection with the hall is a dedicated cafeteria, changing rooms and toilets.[https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/motocrosshall/ Motocrosshall - Motorcenter Norway]
Off-road track
The off-road track consists of 381 decare (381 000 m2) of rough terrain which can be navigated by car, off-road vehicles (ATV, UTV) or motorcycle. The trail changes regularly, and can have lengths of up to 5 kilometers. The off-road area also has a barbecue hut and several lookout points.[https://www.motorcenternorway.no/anlegget/offroad-omrade/ Offroad-område - Motorcenter Norway]
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.motorcenternorway.no/ Homepage of Motorcenter Norway]
- [https://www.nrk.no/rogaland/ny-racingbane-i-sokndal-1.15555267 News coverage of the opening - NRK TV]
Category:Motorsport venues in Norway
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