By Next year, one weekend before Wales only active closed roads event, the Aberdare Park Road Races (1st-2nd of August), the Kopcany Road Races (25th-26th of July) are-scheduled to thrust into roads scene pre-eminence.
Slovakia’s only road race, incorporating modern machinery (aside previously reported Airport races at Zilina-Dolny Hricov and Trencin), 2026 edition will clash with the Open Trophy, seventh, eighth IRRC Supersport/Sportbike rounds at Belgium’s ‘Northwest 200’ equivalent Circuit De Chimay.
The last two Kopcany events, traditionally held in the summer, have-been-blighted by inclement weather.
Last June’s meet was-prematurely-cancelled due to persistent rain, Superbike and Supersport races did not take place. The SBK race front row after qualifying featured Roman Kurina, Thomas ‘Uccio’ Altendorfer, Tomas Borovka whilst Supersport top qualifiers were Marek Cerveny, Martin Hulin, and Matej Vit.
2024 Kopcany Supersport race winner was, Cemetery Circuit, New Zealand newcomer last year, German ace Wolfgang ‘Wolfi’ Schuster. Superbike race exploration, fell foul to stormy weather.
Previously projected, six-times IRRC Supersport Champion, outright Kopcany lap-record carrier Marek Cerveny, headed Super Twins qualifying but again the weather lords were not obliging for prospective race action.
Amongst the winners of races that were able to take place, across the past two Kopcany racing festivals included Chris Meyer, Christopher Eder, and Marek Zima.
Hopefully, next year all aspects will align together, and we will see great races and a complete scheduled program.
Disclosed by meeting organisers, active racing brothers David ‘Predator’ Hanzalik, Milan Hanzalik, subtle track layout changes, a shift in the start/finish line location are-expected for 2026.
When we talk about Slovakian racers, let us remember the nations’ newest Northwest 200 representative Emil Krchnavy, an IRRC Superbike rider in recent times, who hopes to return to the Triangle course next year, following his course debut from last May.
We would be remiss, not to also mention Miroslav ‘Laki’ Sloboda, this century’s one and only Slovak Isle of Man TT & Manx Grand Prix exponent.
Photo credit: Jan Vavra
Words by Jan Vavra
