Kemora Circuit
Kemora Circuit at a glance
- Location
- Veteli, Central Ostrobothnia
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 2.733 km (1.698 mi)
- Turns
- 10
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1983
- Capacity
- 4,000
- Website
- kemora.fi/en
Track map and layout
Kemora Circuit is a national-level racing facility near Veteli in Central Ostrobothnia, western Finland, more than 400 km north of Helsinki. It opened in 1983 as a 1.448 km, seven-turn short circuit and was lengthened in 1987 to the current 2.733 km, ten-turn full layout. The site also includes a dedicated kart racing track and a snowmobile track used in winter, giving it a broader role in the region's motorsport activity beyond car and motorcycle circuit racing.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit (1987-present) | 2.73 km | 2.733 km, 10 turns, the current main layout |
| Short Circuit (1983-present) | 1.45 km | 1.448 km, 7 turns |
| Kart track | — | dedicated karting circuit on the same site |
| Snowmobile track | — | used for winter snowmobile racing |
Events and race weekends
Kemora had a notably international profile in the late 1980s and early 1990s, hosting the FIA European Truck Racing Championship from 1990-1994 and an annual 500 km touring car and GT endurance race from 1987-1991. The Finnish Formula 3 Championship raced regularly at Kemora until 2010. Today the circuit hosts a mix of national automobile and motorcycle championship events, including the Road Racing SM Series (Finland's national motorcycle road racing series) and an annual historic car race.
| Event | Series | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Racing SM Series round | Finnish national motorcycle road racing | summer | |
| Historic Car Race | Historic/vintage racing | summer | annual fixture at the circuit |
Getting there and parking
Kemora Circuit is near Veteli in Central Ostrobothnia, well over 400 km north of Helsinki, making it one of the more remote circuits on the Finnish national calendar. Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport is the nearest regional airport; there is no rail station in Veteli itself, so a hire car or taxi from the nearest larger town is needed for the final leg.
- Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport (KOK) · about 45 min drive
Parking
On-site event-day parking is available; arrangements vary by event.
Given the distance from Helsinki, most visitors fly into Kokkola-Pietarsaari or combine a Kemora visit with wider travel through Central Ostrobothnia.
Hotels and camping near Kemora Circuit
Kokkola, the nearest larger town, has the region's main hotel stock and is within reach of the circuit by car; Veteli itself offers only limited local accommodation. There is no large dedicated trackside campground, so most visitors base themselves in Kokkola or another nearby town.
Where to look
Kokkola for the widest choice of hotels; smaller options in Veteli and surrounding villages.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Kemora is used for club racing, national championship events and organised track/kart days, with the circuit's own booking channels the primary route for private sessions on either the main circuit or the adjoining kart track.
Who runs days here
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outright (Formula Three) | 1:03.703 | Juha Mäki-Jouppi | Dallara F308 | 2021 |
Spectator guide
The circuit has a modest published capacity of around 4,000, reflecting its status as a regional national-level venue rather than a major international destination, with viewing generally from trackside banks and limited grandstand seating.
Seating
Limited grandstand seating supplemented by trackside viewing areas.
Weather
- May-September: Finnish summer racing season, typically 14-21°C, cooler than southern Finland
History of Kemora Circuit
A regional circuit with an international run
Kemora Circuit opened in 1983 near Veteli in Central Ostrobothnia as a 1.448 km, seven-turn short layout, and was extended in 1987 to the 2.733 km, ten-turn configuration that remains its main circuit today. Despite its remote location, well over 400 km north of Helsinki, Kemora punched above its weight in its first decade of full operation, hosting an annual 500 km touring car and GT endurance race from 1987 to 1991 and welcoming the FIA European Truck Racing Championship for five seasons from 1990 to 1994.
A steady national fixture
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Kemora became a regular venue on the Finnish Formula 3 Championship calendar, hosting races there until 2010, while building out its facilities with an adjoining kart racing track and a winter snowmobile track that broadened the site's use beyond car and motorcycle circuit racing. This combination of disciplines under one roof has helped sustain the venue as a genuine year-round motorsport centre for the region.
Today
Kemora continues to operate as a national-level circuit, hosting the Road Racing SM Series, Finland's premier national motorcycle road racing championship, alongside an annual historic car race and other national automobile events. While its international championship days are in the past, it remains an active and well-used facility for Central Ostrobothnia's motorsport community, supporting everything from club days to national title races across cars, motorcycles, karts and snowmobiles.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Kemora Circuit?+
The full circuit, extended in 1987, is 2.733 km (1.698 miles) with 10 turns; a shorter 1.448 km, seven-turn layout from the circuit's 1983 opening also remains in use.
What international events has Kemora hosted?+
Kemora hosted the FIA European Truck Racing Championship from 1990-1994 and an annual 500 km touring car/GT endurance race from 1987-1991, alongside the Finnish Formula 3 Championship until 2010.
Can the public drive or ride at Kemora?+
Yes, the circuit runs club racing and organised track and kart days on its main circuit and adjoining kart track, bookable through the circuit's own channels.
What other facilities does Kemora have besides the main circuit?+
The site includes a dedicated kart racing track and a snowmobile track used for winter racing, in addition to the main road circuit.
How do you get to Kemora Circuit?+
The circuit is near Veteli in Central Ostrobothnia, over 400 km north of Helsinki; Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport is the nearest regional airport, with a hire car needed for the final leg.
Other tracks nearby
- Botniaring · 133 km · road course
- Drivecenter Arena (Skellefteå Drive Center) · 244 km · road course
- Ahvenisto Race Circuit · 270 km · road course
- Alastaro Circuit · 280 km · road course
- KymiRing · 311 km · road course
- Keimola Motor Stadium · 347 km · historic circuit (defunct)
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.