Orlyonok Motocross Track (VDC Orlyonok / Трасса ВДЦ «Орлёнок»)

Orlyonok Motocross Track (VDC Orlyonok / Трасса ВДЦ «Орлёнок») at a glance

Location

Novomikhaylovsky (Tuapse district), Krasnodar Krai

Type

motocross

Length

1.85 km (1.149 mi)

Surface

natural terrain (rocky/scree base with permanent irrigation)

Elevation change

131 ft

Opened

2009

Owner

All-Russian Children's Centre "Orlyonok"

Address

All-Russian Children's Centre "Orlyonok", near Novomikhaylovsky

Track map and layout

"Orlyonok Circuit" is not a car racing circuit. It is a motocross track built within the grounds of the All-Russian Children's Centre "Orlyonok" (ВДЦ «Орлёнок»), near the settlement of Novomikhaylovsky in the Tuapse district of Krasnodar Krai, on Russia's Black Sea coast. The 1.850 km track runs across natural, rocky terrain with roughly 40 metres of elevation change, a permanent irrigation system to manage the loose surface, and a minimum width of 10 metres. It was built from around 2009 as part of a "Children's Auto City" project at the centre and grew into one of Russia's leading motocross venues, hosting the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), including the season-opening round in 2021, before international motocross also withdrew from Russia after 2022.

Configurations

Events and race weekends

Since opening, the Orlyonok track has hosted Russia's National Motocross Championship, a 2011 European Championship round in the 85cc class, and multiple rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), including the opening round of the 2021 season. Like other international motorsport in Russia, MXGP withdrew from the country after 2022. Since then, the venue has continued to host national and regional motocross competition, including the "Commonwealth Cup" (FMC) international series contested among riders from Russia and allied states, reported active as of 2023.

Getting there and parking

The track is inside the All-Russian Children's Centre "Orlyonok", near Novomikhaylovsky in the Tuapse district of Krasnodar Krai, about 45 km from the city of Tuapse on Russia's Black Sea coast. It is reached by road; Sochi's international airport is the nearest major air gateway for visitors from further afield.

• Sochi International Airport (AER) · about 90 min drive

Hotels and camping near Orlyonok Motocross Track (VDC Orlyonok / Трасса ВДЦ «Орлёнок»)

Visitors would typically base themselves in Tuapse, the nearest city, or in Sochi further down the coast, both of which have a range of hotels serving the Black Sea coast's tourism industry; the Orlyonok centre itself is primarily a children's camp facility rather than a venue with visitor accommodation.

Where to look

Tuapse (nearest city, about 45 km away) or Sochi (wider hotel choice, further down the coast).

Track days, driving experiences and lap records

The track is part of a children's centre built around youth motocross and auto-sport training rather than a public track-day facility; it is not known to offer general public riding sessions outside organised competition and training programmes.

Spectator guide

Spectator facilities and capacity for the Orlyonok track are not confirmed from available sources; crowds gather for national and, previously, international motocross rounds held at the venue.

Weather

• Jun-Sep (main season): warm Black Sea coast conditions, highs typically around 26-30°C

History of Orlyonok Motocross Track (VDC Orlyonok / Трасса ВДЦ «Орлёнок»)

A children's centre becomes a world-class motocross venue

The Orlyonok track was built from around 2009 within the All-Russian Children's Centre "Orlyonok", a large youth camp on the Black Sea coast near Novomikhaylovsky in the Tuapse district, as part of a "Children's Auto City" development. Its first significant competitions came in late 2010, and by 2011 the 1.850 km natural-terrain track, cut across roughly 40 metres of elevation change on the site's hilly, rocky ground, was hosting Russia's National Motocross Championship final and a European Championship round in the 85cc class.

Hosting the world championship

Orlyonok's dramatic Black Sea backdrop and technically demanding layout, with steep climbs, descents and sweeping natural terrain, helped it grow into one of Russia's premier motocross venues. It went on to host rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), including serving as the season-opening round of the 2021 championship, drawing the world's top motocross riders to the coastal Krasnodar Krai site.

National racing after 2022

As with other forms of international motorsport, MXGP withdrew from Russia following the events of 2022, and the world championship has not returned to Orlyonok since. The track has continued operating as an active national and youth motocross venue, hosting the "Commonwealth Cup" (FMC), an international series contested among riders from Russia and allied states, alongside domestic competitions, keeping the facility in regular use for both professional and junior riders training at the centre.

Frequently asked questions