Motor tracks face restrictions in Finland amid noise complaints

Due to complaints, the operating hours of motor tracks across Finland have been restricted, making it challenging for racing operators to maintain profitable businesses. Finland hosts six major motor racing circuits and approximately fifty karting tracks, along with numerous motocross tracks. Each track requires an environmental permit from the local municipality, and complaints have been filed regarding noise from these tracks.

Kari Vihreälehto, the owner of the Lavinto Karting track in Hausjärvi, is particularly frustrated by the limitations imposed by his environmental permit, which the Vaasa Administrative Court recently overturned, capping operating hours. Currently, the track can only be used on weekdays until 6 PM and on Saturdays until 4 PM, with no operations allowed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Vihreälehto seeks to extend weekday hours to 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturdays until 6 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 6 PM, as initially approved in his environmental permit.

The Finnish motorsport governing body, AKK-Motorsport, notes that usage hours for racing venues are generally dictated by environmental permits, and geographical areas with consistent complaints make it increasingly difficult to organize events. The main reason for these restrictions is noise pollution, which the motorsport community is actively working to mitigate.

The restrictions are not limited to Lavinto; other tracks like the Joensuu karting track are also affected. There, operations are permitted only three days a week due to similar complaints. In a bid to support the Lavinto track, Ville Sartesuo launched a petition, gathering over 400 signatures to advocate for more operating hours to provide better training opportunities for youth. The local municipality’s leadership has expressed its willingness to support efforts to develop the track further.