Autodrom Most will pursue its rights at the Supreme Court in Brno. This is an unprecedented case that may affect the future of motorsport in the Czech Republic

Most, April 25, 2025 – Autodrom Most is responding to the ruling of the Regional Court in Ústí nad Labem, which orders not to disturb the land of the Huliček family, who are behind the lawsuit, with noise. The court ruling specifically orders compliance with the noise level at the Huliček family house of 55 decibels on weekdays and 50 decibels on public holidays and Sundays, with the exception of races, while it is important to note that on the parallel Tvrzova road, which is even closer to the Huliček couple's land, the limit is 68 decibels. The court's ruling thus threatens the business activities of a private company that has been properly operating the autodrom since 2014 and which has already invested hundreds of millions of crowns in the area. The court's ruling is also completely contrary to the approval of the area and threatens the future of motorsport in the Czech Republic, as well as the functioning of similar sports areas across the country. The owner of the Most racetrack will therefore use an extraordinary remedy and file an appeal with the Supreme Court in Brno.

" The racetrack was approved with clearly defined noise limits, namely 60 decibels during daytime and normal operation and 70 decibels during races. We took these limits as binding when we acquired the racetrack in 2014. Over the past 10 years, we have not been fined by the KHS once for exceeding the 50 dB limit. I therefore perceive the decision of the Regional Court in Ústí nad Labem as a step that is completely contrary to the approval decision and can significantly damage us," says Josef Zajíček, owner of the Most racetrack, adding: "The absurdity of the whole situation is underlined by the fact that the parallel street Tvrzova, which runs along the racetrack and is even closer to the residential area, has a noise limit of 68 decibels. It's like buying an airport and suddenly being banned from taking off from it."

It's not just about Most. Motorsport in the entire Czech Republic could be at risk

The legal representative of the Most autodrome warns that this ruling may create a dangerous precedent that may affect the functioning of other sports venues across the country. "If a decision is made today in Most to reduce noise limits below the scope of the building permit decision, who will guarantee that tomorrow the same decision will not be made about the functioning of other sports venues in the country? This ruling opens a dangerous precedent that threatens the very existence of motorsport in the Czech Republic," comments on the statement of the Regional Court in Ústí nad Labem, lawyer Mgr. Petr Zach.

"Moreover, the plaintiffs could only succeed because the court concluded that the legal predecessors of the Hulička family did not have the opportunity to raise objections to the zoning decision and in the construction proceedings because the building department of the Municipal National Committee in Most in 1978 and 1979 probably did not publish the plan by public notice. However, a report from the Most Municipality from 2024 states that this can only be "assumed". Moreover, the deadlines for destruction have long passed, such documents may no longer exist," adds attorney Mgr. Petr Zach.

End of the polygon, safe driving and emergency medical services training center

Autodrom Most points out that the court's decision does not only affect the racing circuit, but also the adjacent polygon - a modern safe driving center, which is used for driver training and rescue services. "The verdict could make it impossible to use the polygon, which is of key importance for increasing road safety and preparing professionals in crisis situations. The polygon is not about speed or racing, it is a place where people learn to drive better, manage skidding and generally prepare for risky situations on the road. We could lose the only center equipped in this way in the region," warns Josef Zajíček.

The attempt at an agreement failed.

Representatives of the Autodrom Most have been trying for a long time to find a compromise with the other party that would allow the racetrack to function and maintain the comfort of the neighbors. “We were willing to accept a number of restrictions, but the other party insisted on conditions that would de facto mean the end of the autodrom in its current form. We could not accept that,” comments Josef Zajíček. “From the beginning, the other party’s negotiations have seemed like an attempt to liquidate our regular business. Moreover, the Huličeks used to have their workshop in the autodrom premises and they never complained about the noise; that has only changed recently.”

State support is not sufficient. Commercial leases keep the racetrack alive

Racing circuits in Europe are mostly co-owned or directly owned by the state or region, which contributes to eliminating noise problems. However, state support is insufficient in the case of Autodrom Most, which is why it is necessary to rent the area commercially. "Only thanks to commercial races can we finance not only regular operations, but also safety improvements, track maintenance and especially the organization of prestigious races, which are very expensive and we have to subsidize them ," adds Zajíček.

"In the past, we discussed with the Most City Council about the possibility of renting the racetrack on certain days when there would be no racing. However, we cannot answer why this idea did not come to fruition; we must ask the city council representatives. However, we are still open to this debate," comments Josef Zajíček and adds: "If we had stable and long-term support from the state or the city, we could focus more on strategic races and investing in the modernization of the area without the need for commercial rentals to such an extent."

Autodrom Most wants to reduce noise. But noise barriers were rejected

Autodrom Most reduces noise limits every year through its operating regulations and has introduced a number of measures to help ensure compliance. "We carefully monitor the noise limit of vehicles moving on the track, we have banned drifting and related races, we have introduced mandatory use of exhaust mufflers, and we have shortened the operating hours of the racing circuit to 6 p.m. In the past, we also applied for permission to build a noise barrier on the border of the autodrom's property in order to further reduce the noise level spreading to the residential area, but the Regional Hygiene Station of the Ústí nad Labem Region rejected the permission. However, we remain open to discussions that will be constructive and ultimately lead to a reduction in noise levels. Of course, we are ready to fully invest in noise protection measures," adds Zajíček.

The racetrack brings benefits to the region

The Autodrom has been a key part of the Most region for many years. "Maintenance of the racetrack and its equipment is extremely expensive; we have invested hundreds of millions of crowns just in repairing the asphalt surface and ensuring top-notch safety infrastructure. But it is an economic cycle. The funds we collect from commercial races are reinvested in the maintenance and modernization of the circuit, thereby bringing orders and opportunities for companies from the region. No less important is the fact that the Most autodrom and the events here will attract thousands of visitors to the region, generate jobs and bring economic benefits not only to the autodrom, but also to local businesses - hotels, restaurants and other services," explains Josef Zajíček in the broader context.

Appeal to the state: It is necessary to immediately start a dialogue

Autodrom Most calls on representatives of the state, the Ústí nad Labem region and the city of Most to actively participate in resolving the situation. "When prestigious races are held, the state proudly supports us. But when we face a lawsuit because of noise, despite a valid building approval decision, we are left alone. We do not want to be just passive victims of legal chaos, we want to act and solve the situation," says Josef Zajíček, while also drawing attention to other connections. "Why are new residential buildings still being built in close proximity to the autodrom and there is no protective zone? That is not a question for us, but for the responsible officials and political representatives," concludes Zajíček.

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