Smolensk Ring (Смоленское кольцо)
Smolensk Ring (Смоленское кольцо) at a glance
- Location
- Safonovo, Smolensk Oblast
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 3.362 km (2.089 mi)
- Turns
- 13
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 2010
- Website
- smolenskring.ru
Track map and layout
Smolensk Ring is a Hermann Tilke-designed circuit in Safonovo, about 90 km east of the city of Smolensk and roughly 250 km west of Moscow, built to make use of the existing landscape's natural contours. The lap runs 3.362 km over 13 turns with a track width of 12-15 metres. Construction began in 2007 and the circuit opened on 3 July 2010, becoming one of a cluster of Tilke-designed national circuits built in Russia during that period.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full circuit | 3.36 km | 3.362 km, 13 turns |
Events and race weekends
Smolensk Ring hosted the Russian Circuit Racing Series (RCRS) from 2011 through 2024, along with truck racing championships and touring car events including a round of TCR Europe in 2016. RCRS did not race here in 2025, and a planned July 2026 return was dropped, with that round moved to NRING.
Getting there and parking
Smolensk Ring is in Safonovo, about 90 km east of Smolensk and roughly 250 km west of Moscow, and is reached by road. There is no dedicated rail link to the circuit itself, though Safonovo sits on a rail line, and visitors from further afield would typically fly into Moscow and drive the rest of the way.
- Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow) (SVO) · about 210 min drive
Hotels and camping near Smolensk Ring (Смоленское кольцо)
The city of Smolensk, about 90 km from the circuit, offers the region's widest choice of hotels; Safonovo itself, the smaller town nearest the circuit, has more limited local accommodation.
Where to look
Smolensk city (widest hotel choice, about 90 km away) or Safonovo town (closer, limited options).
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Public track-day access at Smolensk Ring is not confirmed from available sources; the circuit's confirmed activity has been centred on national racing series rather than advertised public driving days.
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCR | 1:31.618 | Dmitry Bragin | — | 2023 |
| Formula 4 | 1:27.257 | Christian Lundgaard | — | 2017 |
| Formula Abarth | 1:25.408 | Konstantin Tereshchenko | — | 2012 |
| Truck Racing | 1:51.351 | Antonio Albacete | — | 2013 |
Spectator guide
Smolensk Ring draws crowds for its national racing rounds; specific grandstand capacity and seating details are not confirmed from available sources.
Weather
- May-Sep (main racing season): warm, highs typically around 20-25°C
History of Smolensk Ring (Смоленское кольцо)
A Tilke circuit shaped by the local landscape
Smolensk Ring was built in Safonovo, a smaller town in Smolensk Oblast roughly midway between Moscow and the Belarusian border, with construction starting in 2007 under a design by Hermann Tilke's bureau, which shaped the 3.362 km, 13-turn lap around the existing contours of the site rather than levelling the land flat. The circuit opened on 3 July 2010, joining a small group of Tilke-designed national circuits built across Russia in the same period, including KazanRing and NRing.
More than a decade on the national calendar
From 2011, Smolensk Ring became a regular venue for the Russian Circuit Racing Series, hosting rounds every year through 2024. Beyond RCRS, the circuit also hosted truck racing championships and touring car events, including a round of TCR Europe in 2016, giving it a broader international profile at times than some of Russia's other national circuits.
A gap in the calendar
The Russian Circuit Racing Series did not hold a round at Smolensk Ring in 2025, breaking its run of consecutive seasons on the calendar since 2011. A return pencilled in for July 2026 was dropped when that round moved to NRING, though the venue remains an active facility rather than a dormant or abandoned one. Lap records set across TCR, Formula 4, Formula Abarth and truck racing categories in the years since opening reflect a circuit that has continued to see varied competitive use through its history.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Smolensk Ring?+
3.362 km (2.089 mi) with 13 turns.
Is Smolensk Ring still active?+
The circuit remains open, but the Russian Circuit Racing Series has not raced there since 2024; a planned July 2026 round was moved to NRING.
When did Smolensk Ring open?+
Construction began in 2007 and the circuit opened on 3 July 2010.
Who designed Smolensk Ring?+
Hermann Tilke's design bureau, which shaped the layout around the existing landscape of the site near Safonovo.
Where is Smolensk Ring located?+
In Safonovo, Smolensk Oblast, about 90 km east of the city of Smolensk and roughly 250 km west of Moscow.
Other tracks nearby
- Moscow Raceway (Московский автодром) · 214 km · road course
- Moscow Street Circuit (Московская уличная трасса) · 282 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Lange Motokeskus · 546 km · motocross
- Autodrome Chayka · 546 km · road course
- Biķernieki Complex Sports Base · 609 km · road course
- Igora Drive (Игора Драйв) · 642 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.