Finland to host MotoGP in next two years

Finland, the spiritual home of international rallying, will gain a MotoGP event within the next two years. The Finnish Grand Prix at Kymiring is set to join the MotoGP World Championship calendar from 2019.

The first event of a five-year contract will bring Grand Prix motorcycle racing back to a country with an incredible history in motorsport.

The date of the venue’s inclusion was confirmed at a press conference at the Helsinki Music House last week.

The KymiRing motorsport complex in Iitti, is currently under construction as it prepares to host the return of the Finnish Grand Prix, with considerable economic impact expected in Southern Finland as a result of hosting a MotoGP.

Around 100 000 spectators are anticipated at the opening event, with the circuit in a strategic location as the only track of its kind in Northern Europe.

Sampo Terho, Finland’s Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport said: “This is a fantastic announcement for Finland, a country passionate about motorsport and with an illustrious racing history. “MotoGP will have a fantastic impact, both economically and in terms of exposure for the entire country and region. “It also ensures our continuing role in the history of motorsport, and we are eager to write more chapters of that history in the Finnish GP.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports said: “Finland has been a traditional place for motorsport. It has had number of fantastic riders in MotoGP in the past. “I remember Jarno Saarinen and recently Mika Kallio, and many other people have raced.

“Finnish people understand motorsport and I think KymiRing will be hosting incredible events in the future.”