Budapest mayor István Tarlós recently said the capital would not issue a permit for the Red Bull Air Race, planned for July of this year, because of “inadequate conditions”, prompting a search by local organiser Hungaroring Sport for an alternative venue.

Keszthely deputy mayor Bálint Nagy told Zalai Hírlap that he had spoken to Hungaroring Sport’s head on the telephone about the possibility of hosting the race. The city is close to an airport, and the nearby spa town of Héviz has lots of hotel capacity, he added.

Héviz mayor Gábor Papp told MTI that the spa town and the Héviz-Balaton Airport it operates could serve as the backdrop for the Red Bull Air Race if it comes to the region. The infrastructure and preparedness of the region make it well-suited to host the event, he added.

MTI Photo: Szigetváry Zsolt