Porsche Ring (also known as Audru ringrada, auto24ring, Audru Ring, Pärnu Ring, Sauga Ring and EST-Ring) is a motor racing circuit in Papsaare, near Pärnu, Estonia. It is operated by A2 Racing MTÜ[1] and is the only permanent road circuit in Estonia. The circuit hosts rounds of Baltic Touring Car Championship and other Estonian, Finnish, Baltic and North European Zone events. It is also possible to rent track cars and enjoy different driving experiences or drive your own vehicle (car, motorcycle).

Porsche Ring
LocationPapsaare, Pärnu, Estonia
Time zoneEET (UTC+2)
EEST (DST)
Coordinates58°24′16″N 24°27′00″E / 58.40444°N 24.45000°E / 58.40444; 24.45000
Opened1936
Former namesAuto24ring (2013–2021)
Audru Ring
Pärnu-Ring
Sauga Kolmnurk (1936–1960s)
Major eventsCurrent:
BaTCC (2002–present)
Former:
SMP F4 Championship (2015, 2017)
Websiteaudruring.ee
Full Circuit (2012–present)
Length3.172 km (1.971 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:08.408 (Estonia Tõnis Vanaselja [pl], Oldbac Kalana, 2024, Sports car racing)
Full Circuit (2001–2011)
Length2.173 km (1.350 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record0:49.766 (Russia Viktor Shaytar, Dallara F304, 2008, F3)
Full Circuit (1989–2000)
Length3.668 km (2.279 miles)
Turns13
Original Circuit (1936–1988)
Length6.100 km (3.790 miles)
Turns10

History

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The first competitions at the location of the circuit were held in the 1930s. The original layout, called Sauga Kolmnurk (Sauga Triangle), was a 6.100 km (3.790 mi) long circuit utilising three public roads: Nurme tee, Sulu-Papsaare tee and Haapsalu maantee.[2][3] Racing activities at the Kolmnurk ceased in the late 1960s.[4]

A new circuit, designed by Enn Teppand was built in 1989–90. This 3.668 km (2.279 mi) long layout included one of the corners of the original Kolmnurk as well as two, shortened, straights on Nurme tee and Haapsalu maantee. There was also a new section introduced consisting another public road and a short purpose build section.[2][3]

In 2000, construction of the current circuit begun. The current circuit, opened in 2001, is designed to minimize the use of public roads. The 2.173 km (1.350 mi)[5] long layout uses the sections added in 1990 plus a new straight and a chicane. A 350 m (1,150 ft) long straight on Nurme tee is all that remains of the original 30's circuit.[2][3]

In 2012 a new section was completed, thus making a total length of 3.200 km (1.988 mi). The entire track went through the upgrade in order to meet FIA Grade 3 and FIM Grade B standards.[6][7]

From August 2021, the circuit is named as Porsche Ring for 5 years.[8]

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Lap records

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As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Porsche Ring are listed as:[9]

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Full Circuit: 3.200 km (2012–present)[8]
Sports car racing 1:09.111[9][10] Tõnis Vanaselja [pl] Oldbac Kalana[11] 2023 Pärnu GT Open round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:11.579[9][12] Martin Rump Tatuus FR2000 2013 1st Pärnu Formula Scandic round
GT3 1:11.792[9][13] Jonas Karklys Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II 2023 2nd Pärnu BATCC round
Formula 4 1:11.890[9][14] Nikita Troitskiy Tatuus F4-T014 2015 2nd Pärnu SMP F4 round
Superbike 1:12.586[9] Hannes Soomer [de] Honda CBR1000RR 2023 1st Pärnu Estonian Superbike round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:13.645[9][15] Leo Messenger Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2024 1st Pärnu BATCC round
GT1 (GTS) 1:14.236[16] Pertti Kuismanen [fi] Chrysler Viper GTS-R 2016 Pärnu BATCC round
Supersport 1:14.898[9] Hannes Soomer [de] Yamaha YZF-R6 2016 Pärnu Estonian Supersport round
Formula Renault 1.6 1:16.011[9][17] Martin Rump Signatech FR 1.6 2013 Pärnu Formula Renault 1.6 Nordic round
Formula Ford 1:17.549[9][18] Aleksanteri Huovinen [fi] Van Diemen LA10 2014 Pärnu Finnish Formula Ford round
Supersport 300 1:25.661[9] Niko Lehtiranta KTM RC 390 2019 Pärnu Estonian Supersport 300 round
Renault Clio Cup 1:26.638[19] Robert Helling Renault Clio IV RS 2014 Pärnu Renault Clio Cup JTCC round
Full Circuit: 1.475 km (2001–2011)[8]
Formula Three 0:49.766[20] Viktor Shaytar Dallara F304 2008 Pärnu Finnish F3 round
Formula Renault 2.0 0:50.054[20] Jesse Krohn Tatuus FR2000 2008 Pärnu Formula Renault 2.0 NEZ round

References

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  1. ^ "Ringrada.ee". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  2. ^ a b c "Сауга". Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  3. ^ a b c "F1CEL Foorum - Powered by XMB". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  4. ^ "Porschering | Probably the best racetrack in the Nordics!". www.audruring.ee.
  5. ^ "Home". audruring.ee.
  6. ^ http://www.audru.ee/files/documents/planeeringud/834_AudruRingrada_seletuskiri1.pdf[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ http://www.audru.ee/files/documents/planeeringud/834_AudruRingrada_plan_Tehnovorgud.pdf[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ a b c "Audru Ring - Racing Circuits". Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Rajarekordid". audruring.ee. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  10. ^ "HRX Estonia Grand Prix 2023 - GT Open / TCR - R2". 12 August 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Esimest Eesti superautot Kalana näeb augustis Audrus" (in Ewe). 19 July 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  12. ^ "BTCC 1. Pärnu/Audru (EST) Auto24ring 10.-11.5.2013, 3.100 km - Formula Scandic, Rennen 1, 15 Runden". 11 May 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Pärnu Summer Race 2023 - GT, BTC4, TCR - R1". 19 August 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  14. ^ "2015 SMP F4 Championship Pärnu 2 Race 2 (25' +1 lap) Final Classification" (PDF). 3 October 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  15. ^ "BaTCC Season Opener 2024 - BTC4, GT AM, GT PRO, Porsche GT3 Cup - R1". 4 May 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Baltische Meisterschaften 2016 Dzintara aplis/Dzintara volga 2016 - 2. Pärnu auto24ring, Audru (EST) BaTCC II "SUUR VÕIDUSÕIT 2016 EstRC,FinRC,FIA-NEZ" 29.6.-1.7.2016, 3.170 km GT Open Rennen 2, 12 Runden". 1 July 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Auto Circuit Championships 2013 - Formula Renault 1.6, Heat 2, 16 varv". 15 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Baltische Meisterschaften 2014 - 2. Pärnu/Audru (EST) auto24ring BaTCC + Finnische Meisterschaft 27./29.6.2014, 3.170 km Finnische Formel Ford, Rennen 1, 15 Minuten + 1 Runde (13 Runden)". 28 June 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Estonian GP 2014 NEZ Pärnu - Renault Clio Cup JTCC, Heat 1, 14 varv". 9 August 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Formula Baltic 2008 - 3. Pärnu/Audru". 29 June 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
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