Poligon Gaj

Circuit History

Poligon Gaj began life as Mobikrog, a 2.000 km (1.243 miles) permanent circuit created in 2000 on a portion of the military airfield at Cerklje ob Krki. Billed as Slovenia’s first purpose-built motorsport facility, it launched with notable fanfare, hosting the final round of the 2000 European Super Touring Cup.

Despite this auspicious start, Mobikrog faced ongoing operational and financial difficulties. Events were sporadic, infrastructure was limited, and the venue struggled to generate enough income to remain viable. By 2007, the circuit had effectively closed. Facilities were dismantled and the site lay dormant – a missed opportunity in a country hungry for motorsport infrastructure.

For the next decade, Slovenia remained without a functioning permanent circuit. Various proposals came and went, but none materialised.

Revival as Poligon Gaj

In 2014, the Slovenian Motor Sport Association (AŠ2005) secured a five-year lease from the Ministry of Defence to revive the dormant Mobikrog site. The intent was to develop a dual-purpose driver training and racing facility. The circuit was rebranded as Circuit Poligon Gaj and underwent substantial redevelopment. Approximately 2.000 km of new asphalt was laid, safety barriers and kerbs were added, and a modern circuit licence was granted in early 2017.

However, hopes of a renaissance were quickly clouded by mounting opposition from nearby residents in villages such as Hrastje, Črešnjice and Zasap. Their concerns focused primarily on noise, environmental impact and the opaque nature of the planning process. Critics argued that permits were issued without a full environmental impact assessment or the necessary community consultation, in breach of national planning norms.

Though Slovenia’s national spatial plan had designated the Gaj area for a driving loop with dual military and civilian use, local campaigners contended that regular race events stretched this definition beyond its original intent.

AŠ2005, led by former politician Anton Anderlič, maintained that all legal procedures had been followed. But the situation escalated when, in summer 2017, the Administrative Court sided with the opponents and suspended the key building permit – halting further construction pending full legal review.

Racing in legal limbo

Despite the suspension, AŠ2005 pressed ahead. Test days and private sessions were held, and in June 2017 the venue even hosted a competitive race on the newly resurfaced track. Without an occupancy permit or full environmental approvals, this placed the circuit in a legal grey area.

The tipping point came in July 2017 when a government inspector formally banned further use of the facility. Nonetheless, AŠ2005 staged a joint Slovenian-Croatian championship round in September, arguing it was a private event exempt from restrictions. Security guards patrolled the base perimeter as cars raced behind barbed wire, an act of defiance that underscored the deepening divide.

Regulators later confirmed that the event had proceeded without proper permits, bolstering the case for enforcement action.

Lease expiry and uncertain future

By the end of 2017, the Poligon Gaj project was deadlocked. With legal appeals ongoing, community opposition entrenched and the Ministry of Defence lease due to expire in August 2019, the clock was ticking.

A working group was established to reassess the site’s future, but no resolution emerged. The lease was not renewed and AŠ2005 eventually sought an out-of-court settlement to recoup investment costs. As of 2018, the circuit remained dormant: physically complete, yet unable to operate.

While some still champion the site as Slovenia’s best hope for a permanent motorsport venue, others continue to demand noise compliance and environmental guarantees. Consequently, Poligon Gaj remains in limbo – a modern track with an uncertain future, symbolising the tension between motorsport development and environmental governance in Slovenia.

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