Date of issue: 3 August 2006

Bernie Ecclestone, the chairman of Formula One Management Ltd, realised in the mid 1980s that the F1 World Championship needed to expand. The choice fell on the village Mogyoród, some 19 km from the centre of Budapest. The track was built in record time, in under eight months. The contract was signed on 10 September 1985 and work began on 1 October 1985. The inaugural race, the Drapál Memorial Race, took place on 24 March 1986.

The Hungaroring circuit meets the highest standards as regards technical requirements, which means it has become one of the world’s safest motor racing tracks. It lies in a natural valley and is shaped like a cockscomb, set in a grandstand of 50 hectares. When it opened in 1986, its length was 4,013.786 metres. In 1989 a corner combination was removed to afford another possibility for overtaking. The result was a faster track but its length was reduced to 3,968 metres. Other changes occurred when alterations were made later. Today the circuit is 4,381.08 metres long. The highest speed approaching 320 kph can be reached on the home straight, which is almost 800 metres long. Hungaroring is not only used for F1 but also for other forms of motor sport as well as testing cars. Here there is also an Adventure Park with cars and motorbikes, a driving centre and an opportunity to try the true experience of driving and motorbike riding. The biggest event is, however, the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, which this year will be held for the 21st time.

The main motif of the stamp marking the 20th anniversary of Hungaroring is a Formula 1 racing car. Other motifs referring to the anniversary are the chequered flag, an outline of the circuit, the F1 logo and information about this year’s grand prix. The legend “Hungaroring is 20 years old” is placed centrally, flanked by sprays of laurel. The first day cover and design of the postmark for the stamp have similar motifs.

Order code:
2006231010011 (stamp)
2006231060012 (FDC)

Date of issue: 3 August 2006
Face value: 75 HUF
Perforated size: 40 x 30 mm
Number of copies: 100,000 (50 stamps/sheet)
Printed by Állami Nyomda Nyrt.
Designed by Ferenc Svindt