Experience the Hungarian GP with the experts

Drawing back the Iron Curtain in 1986, Hungary built a race track close to Budapest for Formula 1. The development of the circuit took just eight months. This was not the first time Grand Prix cars raced in Hungary; Budapest welcomed the Silver Arrows in 1936, on a track in the Peoples Park. However it was not the all-conquering Auto Union or Mercedes that won the race, it was the Alfa Romeo entered by a certain Enzo Ferrari and driven by Tazio Nuvolari that crossed the finish line first.

This was the second time that Nuvolari had beaten the Silver Arrows; he won at the 1935 Germany Grand Prix much to the delight of the crowd and disgust of the Third Reich. Nuvolari's German win was so unexpected the organizers did not have the Italian National Anthem to play, so Nuvolari came to the rescue with his own recording. Late in 1936 Nuvolari accepted an offer from Auto Union; the Germans could not tolerate being beaten by Tazio a third time. What do they say? If you can't beat them, join them.

Fifty years later they started racing again in Hungary: Bernie Ecclestone had certainly pulled of a coup by making in-roads into the Eastern Bloc. The track is narrow and twisty, which has made for some surprise results. For the past 30 years the Hungarian Grand Prix has not missed a year, even the cost of entry does not deter the spectators. The weather is generally in the mid European heat wave and it has only rained a couple of times during the race in 30 years.

Budapest is a wonderful city to visit; it has a strong culture with plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained. The River Danube is central to Budapest, Buda is on the hilly western side with the Royal Castle which was originally built in 1265 with small parts of the castle still remaining from 1420. The Citadella was built on the Castle site in 1851.

You can use the funicular from the chain bridge to get up Castle hill where "Cultural Avenue" will greet you with attractions of the Buda Castle District, with its many museums, medieval, baroque, and 19th-century houses, churches, and public buildings.

Pest on the flat Eastern side of the Danube River includes the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes' Square and Andrássy Avenue. It is easy to get around Pest as they built a subway in the late 19th century which covers most of the city. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge over the Danube brought the Buda and Pest cities together, and within twenty years it became Budapest, which is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the World.

The Hungaroring is outside the city and has been a cornerstone of the F1 schedule. In the evening there are literally hundreds of restaurants, many specializing in Hungarian dishes to open your taste buds. Whether you want to club till dawn or take a more cultural path there is plenty to enjoy. There are options, ranging from operas to folk songs, Jazz clubs, and live rock music to techno clubs. Then there is the strange new wave of entertainment called 'Ruin Pubs' which are literarily pubs in ruins, they have live music, charming retro décor, unique atmosphere and are open all hours.

So there you have it, just a little peep on the joys of Budapest and the Hungarian Grand Prix. I hope you go and have a wonderful time. Give Grand Prix Tours a call and we will be delighted to steer you in the right direction.

Grand Prix Tours has offered Formula 1 and Historic events weekend experiences to race fans for over 30 years. Their inside connections allow them to get the best rooms and the best viewing locations available, along with their knowledge of the each event location you will be sure to have an experience of a life time and a hassle-free weekend. Call Grand Prix Tours today at 1 800 400 1998 for more information on the Hungarian Grand Prix or visit their website at www.gptours.com to see all the weekend experiences they offer!

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