he development of the circuit began in 60’s by Soviet DOSAAF, a society for cooperation with army, aviation and navy, which also built an airport next to the track, carrying the same name. The configuration was based on various similar autodromes of that time, the project was finished in 1971. The construction began in 1973, and when it was finished, it became the best circuit in USSR.
Chaika was very popular due to very fast sectors of the ‘big ring’ and corners 2-4, that were known as so-called ‘ears’. The track was pretty difficult and dangerous, there was no runoffs, very close Armco barriers, poor quality asphalt and bad landscaping.