Debrecen4U
August 18, 2026
Record Number of Nations Represented at 51st Debrecen Grand Prix
Sixteen riders from twelve nations will line up at the Perényi Pál Speedway Stadium on 20 August for the 51st Debrecen Grand Prix international speedway meeting. Alongside 2017 individual world champion and defending champion Jason Doyle, the crowd will also be able to cheer on young Debrecen rider Zoltán Lovas at the traditional sporting event held on the afternoon of the Flower Carnival. Details of the Grand Prix were presented at a press conference today.
Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa highlighted that it is a tremendous achievement in itself that Debrecen is hosting a motorsport event for the 51st time on the national holiday. Held for more than half a century, the Debrecen Grand Prix an important part of the city’s sporting heritage, and one that the people of Debrecen can rightly be proud of. He thanked the SpeedWolf team, which has been working for almost a decade to ensure that the city’s speedway tradition continues, as well as the sponsors who help make the event possible.
The deputy mayor stressed that, while 20 August in Debrecen is synonymous with the Flower Carnival, the speedway meeting has also been an integral part of the holiday programme for many years. Visitors to the city can therefore enjoy a full day of entertainment: following the carnival parade in the morning, adrenaline and motorsport will take centre stage at the stadium on Gázvezeték Street in the afternoon, before dance and culture once again take centre stage in the evening.
Lajos Barcsa also pointed out that the Grand Prix’s international significance extends beyond the race day itself. In the spring, foreign teams, riders and professionals prepared for the season in Debrecen, spending more than 1,000 guest nights in the city, which is also significant from a tourism perspective.
The deputy mayor also expressed particular pleasure that Debrecen and Hungarian supporters will once again have a young home-grown rider to cheer for. In Zoltán Lovas, the starting line-up includes a rising talent who has gained considerable international experience in recent times, making the competition even more exciting for the crowd. Lajos Barcsa also highlighted the ticket discounts available to families and Debrecen residents through the Debrecen City Card and Junior City Card.
Norbert Baráth, managing director of SpeedWolf Sportszervező Nonprofit Kft., said that following last year’s 50th anniversary Grand Prix, they had once again worked to put together a strong and diverse field. Riders from twelve nations will come to Debrecen, a record number in the history of the Debrecen Grand Prix. The line-up includes experienced professional riders, competitors racing in strong leagues and young riders eager to prove themselves.
The biggest name in this year’s field is individual world champion Jason Doyle, who will be competing in Debrecen for the third time. The Australian star won the 50th Debrecen Grand Prix in 2025 with a maximum score, and will therefore return to the city as defending champion. According to Norbert Baráth, he is expected to face a tougher challenge this year, as several of his rivals have already engaged in major battles with him during the season.
The managing director of SpeedWolf Sportszervező Nonprofit Kft. explained that 16 riders will compete in 20 qualifying heats, followed by two semi-finals. After the two exciting semi-final heats comes the spectacular five-rider final, where the 2026 champion of Debrecen will be decided. A number of additional programmes will also be available alongside the racing. There will be a speedway exhibition, an autograph session, a pit-lane visit and a junior riders’ demonstration, while fans will also have the opportunity to meet the competitors. Norbert Baráth stressed that the aim once again is to create the familiar, family-friendly atmosphere.
Péter Szabó, director of Schaeffler Debrecen, said that Debrecen is the last stronghold of speedway racing in Hungary, while there is considerable interest in motorsport in the region, as demonstrated by the audiences at similar events. He emphasised that, as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Schaeffler has been supporting speedway in Debrecen for many years and considers it important that its employees can also take part in local community events. Around 150 Schaeffler employees are expected to cheer on the riders at the Grand Prix, including Zoltán Lovas.
Rider Zoltán Lovas said that he has competed in many races this season and feels that he is continuing to improve, although he still has a long way to go. He did not set himself a specific finishing position in the exceptionally strong Debrecen field, saying that even winning a single heat would be a significant achievement for him. He stressed that he would do everything he could to produce his best possible performance in front of the home crowd.
Useful information for the 51st Debrecen Grand Prix:
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Venue: Perényi Pál Speedway Stadium, 35 Gázvezeték Street, Debrecen 4030
Box office opens: 10:00
Speedway exhibition: from 12:00
Gates open: 13:00
Pit-lane visit and autograph session: 14:30–15:00
VIP pit-lane visit: 15:05–15:30
Riders’ track walk: 15:15–15:25
Junior riders’ demonstration: 15:40–15:45
Riders’ parade: 15:50
First heat: 16:00
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
