Created: 2026.02.18. 14:34
The ZalaZone Automotive Proving Ground in Zalaegerszeg has by now become not only an important venue for industrial developments, but also for higher education programmes and applied research. In the immediate vicinity of the track operates Széchenyi István University’s Zalaegerszeg Innovation Park, serving as a bridge between education and industrial testing – as experienced by students of the English-taught Motorsport Engineering MSc programme first-hand during the past semester.
ZalaZone Automotive Proving Ground is one of Europe’s most complex modular automotive test environments, incorporating a high-speed oval track, urban and motorway sections, dynamic and off-road elements, as well as zones supporting autonomous and e-mobility developments. The diverse track modules make it possible to examine new vehicle technologies, driver assistance systems and vehicle dynamics solutions under real-life conditions. Closely integrated into this ecosystem is the Zalaegerszeg Innovation Park of Széchenyi István University, which supports automotive developments with measurement infrastructure and laboratories, while regularly hosting student courses, field exercises and research projects.
Within this environment, last December the two-session practical programme of the University’s English-taught MSc in Motorsport Engineering was implemented as part of the Race Vehicle Testing course. Students conducted vehicle dynamics measurements with five different vehicles on the University, motorway and dynamic modules of ZalaZone Automotive Proving Ground. The aim of the programme was not only to collect data, but also to understand how raw measurements become decision-support information through systematic organisation, data cleaning and interpretation.
Students carried out vehicle dynamics measurements with five different vehicles in Zalaegerszeg
Dávid Bári, the course lecturer, together with researchers from the Zalaegerszeg Innovation Park, guided participants through every stage of the measurement cycle – from defining objectives and establishing the measurement protocol to the professional analysis of results. Particular emphasis was placed on the precise documentation of conditions and the collection of comparable data, which constitute core competences in both motorsport and industrial vehicle development.
Test tracks enable measurement investigations to be carried out under real-life conditions (Photo: Csaba József Májer)
For the University, it is of key importance that modern testing infrastructure forms an integral part of its programmes. Experience gained in real measurement environments helps students to adopt an industry-oriented mindset already during their studies. This enhances the labour market value of the programmes and contributes to the further strengthening of the region’s innovation and engineering education ecosystem.
