Locomotive Stadium, Daugavpils, Latvia

Back Straight & Third Turn

Perhaps not one of the easiest of venues to get to but it is relatively straightforward. Fly to Riga and then drive the three or fours hours to Daugavpils or maybe take the train. The train is only feasible if you have a hotel in Daugavpils as the last train back leaves well before the GP finishes.

First and Second Turn

The stadium is pretty much in the centre of the town and offers more in the way of seating and cover than some of the other venues on the GP circuit. The general presentation of the meeting on the basis of this first GP was good. The catering in the old eastern European style (cabbage and pork) and was a refreshing change from all the plastic hamburgers and hot dogs that most other places think everybody wants – good prices too and also for the er liquid refreshment !

Start / Finish and Main Stand

However the track didn’t show up too well and the racing was in the main pretty processional, the white line was well, the only line !!

I think and hope that on this occasion the track was like it was only because of the weather. We certainly saw plenty of rain the night before the GP and on the way to the track. The track surface seemed to have been well compacted to prevent it becoming waterlogged. Based on the way the Latvian riders attempted to ride the track – going out wide to look for grip, that that on this occasion wasn’t there hopefully suggests the track isn’t always as slick as it was on GP night !!