İzmit Körfez Circuit

Motorsport venue
Name = İzmit Körfez Circuit
İzmit Körfez Yarış Pisti
Location = Körfez, Kocaeli, Turkey
Time = UTC +2


Events = Formula 3, Drag racing, Superbike,Supersport, Supermoto, Honda 125cc, 250cc, Karting
Length_km = 1.950
Length_mi = 1.212
Turns = 9
Record_time =
Record_driver =
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İzmit Körfez Circuit ( _tr. İzmit Körfez Yarış Pisti) is a motor sports race track about 17 km west of İzmit, in Körfez district of Kocaeli Province, Turkey. Sponsored by the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) and built by the Istanbul Motorsports Club (İMK), it was inaugurated in 1993 as the first asphalted race track in Turkey. The venue is home to motor sport races in various categories.

Located at the northeastern coast of Marmara Sea, İzmit Körfez Circuit is situated around a small Fener Lake (Fenergölü), which belongs to the Municipality of Körfez District. The venue can be easily reached from Istanbul and İzmit by the motorway O-4 or highway D-100 at the exit Körfez. The race track, convert|1.950|km|mi at length, [cite web |url=http://www.verbalkint.com/2001/19_10_2001%20korfezmeydansavasi.html |work=Verbal Kint |title= Birinci Körfez Meydan Savaşı! |date=2001-10-18 |language=Turkish ] has nine turns and runs clockwise.

The circuit provides the greatest number of motor sport racing events in Turkey. In addition to Turkish championships, several racing organizations of private companies as well as various motor sport types in different categories are held here. On an average racing day, several events are carried out in five to six categories. The circuit is used also for test runs by motor magazines, tire and motor companies. Some motorcycle and auto racing schools train here also. Around 5,000 spectators in every age group come to the circuit on racing days. Events at the race track find growing interest in the TV and press. [cite web |url=http://www.imk.org.tr/page.asp?pageID=1049 |work=İstanbul Motorsporları Kulübü |title=Körfez Pisti |language=Turkish ]

Events

Scheduled racing events throughout the year include

; Karting:
* Karting Mini, Junior, Super championships [cite web |url=http://www.gezinet.net/aktiviteler/karting/index.asp |work=Gezi Net |title=Karting |language=Turkish ]

; Auto:
* Street car drag racing [cite web |url=http://www.motorspor.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=haberler.habergoster&haber_id=2223 |work=Motorspor |title=İzmit Körfez Pisti’nde Drag Şöleni! |language=Turkish ]
* Formula 3 championship [cite web |url=http://www.kenthaber.com/Arsiv/Haberler/2006/Mayis/23/Haber_139226.aspx |work=Kent Haber |title=Körfez Pisti'nde büyük heyecan |author=Açıkgöz, Cemal |date=2006-05-23 |language=Turkish ]

; Motorcycle:
* Superbike A, B championships
* Supersport A, B, C championships
* Supermoto A, B championships
* Honda 125cc, 250cc Cup [cite web |url=http://www.ajansspor.com/motorsporlari/motosiklet/h/20070923/korfez_pistinde_motosiklet_coskusu.html |work=Ajans Spor |title=Körfez Pisti'nde motosiklet coşkusu |date=2007-09-23 |language=Turkish ]

Accident

The renowned Turkish motorcycle racer Sinan Sofuoğlu died on May 9, 2008 in a nearby hospital aftermath his fall-off with severe injuries and traumas he suffered during a training session at the race track. [cite web |url=http://www.radyospor.com/detay.asp?CID=49679 |title=Sinan Sofuoğlu'nu kaybettik!... |work=Saran Holding RadyoSpor |date=2008-05-09 |language=Turkish ]

See also

* Istanbul Park

References