Skip to main content
Ab initio New Towns
Gumb išči A-Ž

Motorcycle races in Nova Gorica

Motorcycle races attracted riders from 22 countries to the town, while between 10,000 and 20,000 spectators attended.

“The engines roared through Gorizia … Of all the motorcycle circus, what I remember most are the rectangular bales of hay that the organizers placed on the bends as protection …”
(Source 1)

The Automobile and Motorcycle Association Gorica (AMD Gorica) organized the first motorcycle race in Nova Gorica on 24 September 1950 (Lipičar 2017: 10). The start was on the Magistrala (today Kidrič Street). From there, the riders headed towards the “Russian blocks” and, before reaching them—across today’s bus station—turned right onto a gravel road leading to Erjavec Street. Near the railway blocks, they turned right onto Prvomajska Street, then continued past the sawmill in Solkan onto IX Corps Road, and at Hotel Sabotin turned right again onto Vojkova Street, completing the lap back on the Magistrala.

The first race for the “Grand Prix of Nova Gorica” was organized in 1958. At that time, the track was shortened by 600 meters. Races were held on this route until 1964, and from the following year until 1971 they took place on a new, 3,000-meter-long track (Lipičar 2017: 10).

“Motorcycle races were an important event for Nova Gorica. People attended these races even wearing ties, dressed formally. We also had local racers—I especially remember Lerči from Solkan. Italians also participated, and alongside domestic motorcycles, Hondas began to appear. Speeds increased. When a fatal accident occurred in Škofja Loka, the races in Nova Gorica were also discontinued. The races had a special smell—of fuel. The start was somewhere between the municipal building and Perla, where the largest crowd gathered; the highest speeds were reached from Erjavec Street to Grčna. Among the competitors there was also a woman, Lerči’s daughter.”
(Source: https://www.kamra.si/digitalne-zbirke/gorazd-humar/)

Initially, the races were held at the level of the Slovenian republic championship, but towards the end they gained wide international participation. According to available data, in 1970 competitors from as many as 20 different countries took part (Mejak 2014: 3), including participants from Australia and New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and South America. In 1971, competitors came from 22 countries (Lipičar 2017: 10). The races became the largest sporting event in the Goriška region and an important attraction for residents of Nova Gorica and neighboring Italy. Attendance depended on the weather, usually ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors.

They were discontinued due to safety concerns for both competitors and spectators, as serious accidents occurred, as well as due to difficult economic conditions in the municipality. In 1972, a fatal accident in Škofja Loka further contributed to the decision to abolish the races. At the same time, the municipality was unable to finance the construction of a dedicated racetrack due to major infrastructure projects such as a hospital and water supply system.

An older resident who once lived in Russian Block No. 11 recalled:
“There were few people in Gorizia, but there were events. They organized go-kart races. Then there were also motorcycle races. /…/ There were so many people in Gorizia. It all ended in 1972, when there were three deaths in Škofja Loka. That was really the end. /…/ People did not complain about the noise—they could hardly wait [for the event].”
(Ethnographic workshop at the Russian blocks, July 2023)

According to Rudi Šimac, then president of the municipality and of the race organizing committee, “AMD Gorica was highly capable of organizing races that exceeded local and republican frameworks as well as the financial capacities of the Gorizia economy.” (Mejak 2014: 4)

In the 13 races held in Nova Gorica, competitors raced in categories up to 50 cc, 125 cc, 175 cc, 250 cc, 500 cc, and sidecars. From 1964 to 1966, cars up to 850 cc also competed.

The main initiator of the races was Bojan Ožbolt, who was also the president of the association and organizer of the events. An important role in the organization was also played by the late Savo Mikuž.

Later, additional events were held, including karting, motocross, and rally races.

The races also represented an opportunity for tourism. A brochure published on the occasion informed visitors about competition rules and local attractions. In 1961, it highlighted the favorable location, climate, and natural beauty at the intersection of the Soča and Vipava valleys and the Karst. It recommended a walk through the construction site of the emerging town. Among the attractions were: the natural park at Pristava with the Panovec forest; the library at Kostanjevica with over 15,000 books, including the first Slovene grammar by Bohorič; the tomb of the exiled French king, the last Bourbon, also at Kostanjevica; the Gorizia Museum at Kromberk Castle, reachable via the Vodovod path; a modern swimming pool; Solkan with a monument to fallen fighters by sculptor Boris Kalin; and the railway bridge with its 84-meter arch over the Soča River. Finally, opportunities for hiking in the surrounding hills and the Trnovo Plateau were also mentioned (Mejak 2014: 8–9).

Avtor: Jasna Fakin Bajec

Vir:


Share your story

Tags

#sport #vsakdanje življenje