Lånkebanen – Norway World Rallycross Circuit at Hell Guide
Originally published November 2016. Last updated September 2026: added labelled rallycross circuit map (Wikimedia Commons, with attribution in caption)
Lånkebanen is Norway’s national motorsport centre near the village of Hell in Stjørdal, Trøndelag — and since 2014 one of the most photographed venues on the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar. The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) opened the country’s first permanent asphalt race track here in the late 1980s; today the mixed-surface rallycross loop, hillclimb, motocross, and driver-training facilities draw World RX stars each summer.
The joke writes itself — drivers literally go to Hell for rallycross — but the circuit matters because it anchored Scandinavian RX before the world championship arrived. Compare Nordic neighbours Rudskogen Motorsenter and Swedish tin-top venues such as Mantorp Park; for six-wheeled Grand Prix history see Scandinavian Raceway Anderstorp.
Contents
Lånkebanen facts
| Location | Lånke, Stjørdal municipality, Trøndelag, Norway (near Hell, about 40 km east of Trondheim) |
|---|---|
| Official name | Lånkebanen (often marketed as Hell RX / World RX of Norway) |
| Circuit type | Permanent asphalt road course with mixed-surface rallycross configuration |
| Opened | 1987–1988 (first asphalt race track in Norway) |
| Owner | Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) |
| Rallycross length | About 1.02 km (7 turns; roughly 63% asphalt / 37% gravel in RX trim) |
| Capacity | About 13,000 spectators (World RX events) |
| Main events | FIA World Rallycross Championship (2014–2019, 2022–2023); FIA European Rallycross Championship; Norwegian national RX |
| Other uses | Hillclimb, motocross, karting, NAF driver training, Q-Free testing |
Layout note: Published lap times refer to the rallycross configuration with gravel sections. The main asphalt course and club layouts use different distances — compare only within the same discipline.
Lånkebanen — rallycross layout (about 1.02 km) — Map: Wikimedia Commons
Opened as Norway’s first asphalt race track
When fans talk about rallycross in Hell, they mean Lånkebanen — a road-racing complex in Lånke, Stjørdelag, a few kilometres from the village of Hell and Trondheim Airport Værnes. NAF built the venue after the Ministry of Transport selected the site as a national centre for motorsport and driver education.
The track opened in 1988 as Norway’s first permanent asphalt circuit. National rallycross, hillclimbs, and club racing followed. Since 2004 the facility has also supported Nord University College programmes and the National Driving Teacher School.
Aerial view of Lånkebanen
More than one layout on the hillside
Lånkebanen is not a single loop. The main asphalt course supports road racing and training, while the roughly 1.1 km rallycross layout (often quoted as about 60% asphalt and 40% gravel) mixes both surfaces for spectacular jumps and joker laps. A hillclimb and motocross track sit on the slope below the main circuit; at the foot of the complex Lånke Travbane provides harness-racing on an oval.
Landscape around Lånkebanen
Twenty years of Norwegian rallycross
The Norwegian Rallycross Championship visited Lånkebanen from 1989, making Hell a domestic RX staple long before world championship cars arrived. National events kept the facility busy through the 1990s and 2000s while NAF invested in safety and training infrastructure.
European RX from 2011, World RX from 2014
2011 brought the first European Rallycross Championship round to Hell. Norwegian Mats Lysen won at home ahead of compatriot Sverre Isachsen, who later took the European title. Tanner Foust won in 2012; Liam Doran triumphed in 2013.
From 2014 Hell hosted parallel World Rallycross Championship and ERX rounds. Ken Block won the European event that year while Reinis Nitišš took the inaugural World RX victory at the track. Later World RX winners at Hell included Timmy Hansen, Andreas Bakkerud, and multiple-time champion Johan Kristoffersson (2017 and 2018). ERX honours in the mid-2010s went to Norwegians Tommy Rustad and Kevin Hansen.
World RX action at Hell
Onboard lap at Hell
Getting to Lånkebanen
Lånkebanen lies on National Road 705 about 6 km from Hell village and 7 km from Trondheim Airport Værnes. By road it is roughly 40 km from Trondheim city centre; Hell station offers rail links on the Nordland Line.
Frequently asked questions about Lånkebanen
Where is Lånkebanen?
Lånkebanen is at Hell in Lånke, Stjørdal municipality, Trøndelag, Norway — about 35 km east of Trondheim and close to Trondheim Airport Værnes.
Why is the rallycross track called Hell?
Hell is the name of the village and railway stop near the circuit, not a marketing nickname. World Rallycross promotion often brands the round as “Hell RX” because of the place name.
When did Lånkebanen open?
The facility opened in 1988 as Norway’s first permanent asphalt race track, built by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) as a national motorsport and driver-training centre.
Does World Rallycross race at Lånkebanen?
Yes. Lånkebanen joined the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar in 2014 after hosting European Rallycross rounds from 2011. Norwegian stars such as Johan Kristoffersson and Andreas Bakkerud have won at Hell.
How long is the Lånkebanen rallycross layout?
The mixed-surface rallycross loop is about 1.1 km, roughly 60% asphalt and 40% gravel. The venue also has a separate main asphalt course and hill-climb and motocross tracks.
Who owns Lånkebanen?
The NAF (Norwegian Automobile Federation) owns and operates Lånkebanen. The National Driving Teacher School has used the track since 2004.
What other motorsport happens at Lånkebanen?
Besides rallycross, the complex hosts Norwegian Rallycross Championship club rounds, hill climb, motocross, karting, and road-course training. A horse-racing oval (Lånke Travbane) sits below the car circuits.
How do you get to Lånkebanen?
Drive from Trondheim (about 35 km) or fly into Trondheim Airport Værnes, a few minutes from the circuit. World RX weekends publish parking and shuttle details on the NAF and championship sites.
Related reading
- Rudskogen Motorsenter — Norway’s main road-racing venue
- Audi S1 RX — World RX powerhouse profile
- Scandinavian Raceway Anderstorp — Swedish Grand Prix history
- Mantorp Park — Swedish STCC and Formula 2 circuit
- Jyllands-Ringen — Denmark’s FIA circuit
Address: Lankebanen, Hell, 7517 Stjørdal, Norway
Phone: +47 917 88 066
Official website: naf.no — Lånkebanen
