Fan support can help the autodrome out of trouble

The AUTODROM MOST company, which operates the area of the same name, has found itself in danger of continuing to exist due to the Covid-19 epidemic and subsequent restrictive measures. As a result of the forced closure of the area, its revenues immediately dropped by 90 percent, and the company's management estimates that the drop in sales for this year as a whole will be up to 70 percent.

"This is an unsustainable situation. Although we can rent out a large racing circuit to professional teams as part of the easing of restrictions from April 20, we will not feel it too much. There are only a few of them in the country, and motor sport is essentially paralyzed. Although we are doing everything possible to maintain all 45 jobs, we will probably not avoid layoffs. At the moment, any support will help us. If our fans now buy a ticket to the races or a voucher for a safe or sporty driving course, they will remain valid until the events can take place," said Jana Svobodová, sales and marketing director of the autodrome.

She identified the area's dependence on foreign customers and clients as a problem. Closed borders are another insoluble problem. "Our event is visited by tens of thousands of people every year, especially foreigners. We significantly contribute to the development of tourism and the economic revival of the region. However, this is now turning against us, as are the massive investments in the modernization and improvement of the facilities of the autodrome area. We have been left almost without funds," she explained.

According to her, there is a solution. The autodrom covers an area of 75 hectares. "We operate in a huge area. Therefore, we can provide sports and educational activities in an individual and contactless manner. We are all the more sorry that while, for example, hobby markets, where hundreds of customers crowd together, are open, our premises remain closed. We have therefore addressed the prime minister and other competent representatives with an open letter asking whether they would reconsider their attitude towards our premises and activities and allow its operation," she specified.

She also pointed out that, in addition to organizing motorsports events, the company's priority is safety. "We cannot continue with safe driving courses for car and motorcycle drivers, even though we can provide them via disinfected walkie-talkies for each person separately in their own or rented car. Drivers learn to cope with the pitfalls of normal traffic in the closed area of the polygon's training areas under the guidance of experienced instructors, and thus do not endanger themselves or others on the roads. Motorcyclists in particular are unprepared after the winter; five of them did not reach the finish line in March alone," added Jana Svobodová.