MOTORCYCLE RACES IN NOVA GORICA

The AMD Gorica Association was established on 17 September 1947 in Solkan, i.e. only two days after the definition the border, which divided the Goriška region into two parts. The first motorcycle race was organised by the association as early as in 1948, namely on a track between Solkan and Trnovo. On 24 September 1950, AMD Gorica organised the first road racing event in Nova Gorica on a 5,100-metre-long circuit. The start was on Magistrala or Kidričeva Street. They rode in the direction of Panovec Forest and then in front of the “Russian blocks” turned right onto a macadam road, crossing the site of the present bus station, and continued along Erjavčeva Avenue. At the block of flats at the railway station, they turned right onto Prvomajska Street, passing the sawmill in Solkan, continued along Cesta IX. korpusa Street and turned onto Vojkova Street at the Sabotin Hotel. From there, they returned to Magistrala (main road), where the finishing line was set. The race was organised for a few categories, including motorcycles with sidecars.

The first race, known as the Nova Gorica Award, was organised by the AMD Gorica Association in 1958, when they shortened the old track by 600 metres. There races took place until 1964. From 1965 to 1971, they raced on a new, 3,000-metre-long track. They reached more than 180 km/h on the longest flat part of the track. In 1971, Swiss racer Gyula Marsovszky, riding a Yamaha 250 cm3, set the record on this track with an average speed of 106.5 km/h. This was also the year when the last race, which attracted competitors from 22 countries, in Nova Gorica took place. Depending on the weather, these Nova Gorica races attracted as many as 10,000 to 20,000 of spectators. The spectators from Nova Gorica used to cheer on their favourite Gilberto Parlotti from Trieste.

The races were the brainchild of the late Bojan Ožbolt, who was also the president of the association and director of the races. The deceased Savo Mikluž also played a big role in organising the races and in managing the association. Without any doubt, the pioneers of road racing here were Valerijan Bratina – Lerči, Alojz Sever, Anton Mladovan, Franc Gleščič, Julij Klančič, Marjan Klančič, Mara Bratina and Leon Poberaj.

In Nova Gorica, in addition to motor races in categories from 50 to 500 cm3 and motorcycle sidecars, they also used to race in cars and go-karts. Back in 1959, they organised circular races between Nova Gorica and Solkan, whereas from 1964 to 1966, beside motorcycles, they raced with cars up to 850 cm3. The first race in carting was organised by the AMD Gorica Association in 1967. The track ran from the end of Magistrala, between the “Russian blocks”. The following year, the race took place along Kidričeva Street in front of the Municipal Palace. After 1973, all the events were moved to Kromberk, in the area of the Meblo factory. The race winners qualified for the Republican Championship of Slovenia as well as the National Championship of Yugoslavia.