Sachsenring

For the automotive company, see HQM Sachsenring GmbH.
Sachsenring
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
LocationHohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates50°47′30″N 12°41′20″E / 50.79167°N 12.68889°E / 50.79167; 12.68889
FIA Grade3
Opened26 May 1927; 97 years ago (1927-05-26)
Re-opened: 26 May 1996; 28 years ago (1996-05-26) (as Grand Prix Circuit)
Closed1990 (as Road Circuit)
Major eventsCurrent:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
German motorcycle Grand Prix (1998–2019, 2021–present)
East German motorcycle Grand Prix (1961–1972)
Sidecar World Championship (2005–2014, 2018, 2023–2024)
DTM (2000–2002, 2023–present)
Former:
FIA ETCR (2022)
FIA GT1 World Championship (2011)
Websitehttp://www.sachsenring-circuit.com
Circuit A Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Length3.671 km (2.281 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:13.714 (Belgium Frédéric Vervisch, Dallara F306, 2008, F3)
Circuit B OMEGA-circuit (2003–present)
Length2.100 km (1.304 miles)
Turns11
Circuit C (2001–present)
Length1.700 km (1.056 miles)
Turns3
Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)
Length3.704 km (2.302 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:17.151 (Japan Kosuke Matsuura, Dallara F301, 2001, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (2000)
Length3.386 km (2.104 miles)
Turns17
Race lap record1:14.394 (Germany Alex Müller, Dallara F300, 2000, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999)
Length3.508 km (2.180 miles)
Turns18
Race lap record1:20.078 (Belgium Bas Leinders, Dallara F397, 1998, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–1997)
Length3.517 km (2.185 miles)
Turns18
Race lap record1:24.416 (Germany Timo Scheider, Dallara F397, 1997, F3)
Original Circuit (1927–1990)
Length8.618 km (5.355 miles)
Race lap record2:55.400 (Italy Giacomo Agostini, MV Agusta 500 Three, 1968, 500cc)

The Sachsenring (German pronunciation: [ˈzaksn̩ʁɪŋ] ⓘ) is a motorsport racing circuit located in Hohenstein-Ernstthal near Chemnitz in Saxony, Germany. Among other events, it features the annual German motorcycle Grand Prix of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship.

History

Comparison of original and modern layouts of Sachsenring

The first race was held on 26 May 1927 on an 8.618 km (5.355 mi) layout on public roads, running also through the village of Hohenstein-Ernstthal itself. It was dubbed "Sachsenring" in 1937.

The East German motorcycle Grand Prix was held there from 1961 to 1972. The local two stroke MZ bikes of Zschopau were competitive during this time. The quickest lap was achieved by 15 time World Champion Giacomo Agostini on a MV Agusta with a 180 km/h (110 mph) average. After West German Dieter Braun won in 1971 and the East German fans sang the West German National Anthem in celebration (as is the case in sport, the winner's National Anthem is played after the event), the event was limited to East European entrants for political reasons.

Aerial view

In 1990, with faster Western machinery now available, racing through the village became too dangerous with some fatalities (this can be compared with the Isle of Man TT).

Main straight

To accelerate redevelopment of eastern Germany in the new unified Germany, a 3.517 km (2.185 mi) short track berg corner was built in the 1990s to bring international motorsport to the eastern part of Germany. In 1996, IDM motorcycle racing and the ADAC Super Tourenwagen Cup resumed racing here. The DTM raced here in 2000, with Klaus Ludwig winning at age 51, but the DTM did not return after 2002, preferring international venues. DTM returned to Sachsenring in 2023 after its take-over by ADAC due to its preference of using national venues again.[1]

Since 1998, the German motorcycle Grand Prix moved to the Sachsenring from Nürburgring. In recent years, the track has been made faster and longer again, with the length now being 3.671 km (2.281 mi). Since 2007, the Sachsenring is part of the regular schedule of ADAC GT Masters. In 2011 the FIA GT1 World Championship held one of its race weekends at the Sachsenring.

Layout history

  • Original Circuit (1927–1990)
    Original Circuit (1927–1990)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999)
    Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)
    Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
    Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)

Most wins

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

# Wins Rider Years won
11 Spain Marc Márquez 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Events

MZ-Cup - Supermono amateur competition series with MZ Skorpion since 1996[2] (Sachsenring 2020)
Current
Former

Lap records

As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Sachsenring are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.671 km (2003–present)
Formula Three 1:13.714[3] Frédéric Vervisch Dallara F306 2008 Sachsenring German F3 round
LMP3 1:17.547[4] Keanu Al Azhari Duqueine D-08 2024 Sachsenring Prototype Cup Germany round
Formula 4 1:18.362[5] Fabio Scherer Tatuus F4-T014 2017 Sachsenring ADAC Formula 4 round
GT3 1:18.603[6] Luca Stolz Mercedes-AMG GT3 2017 Sachsenring ADAC GT Masters round
GT1 1:19.602[7] Mike Hezemans [de] Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2011 Sachsenring FIA GT1 round
MotoGP 1:20.667 Jorge Martín Ducati Desmosedici GP24 2024 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Renault 2.0 1:21.413[8] Colin Fleming Tatuus FR2000 2004 Sachsenring Formula Renault 2000 Germany round
ADAC Formel Masters 1:21.715[9] Pascal Wehrlein Dallara Formulino 2011 Sachsenring ADAC Formel Masters round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:22.629[10] Laurin Heinrich Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2022 Sachsenring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Moto2 1:23.449 Tony Arbolino Kalex Moto2 2024 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Superbike 1:23.773[11] Hannes Soomer [it] Honda CBR1000RR 2023 Sachsenring IDM Superbike round
250cc 1:24.552 Álvaro Bautista Aprilia RSA 250 2009 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Supersport 1:25.076[12] Melvin van der Voort Yamaha YZF-R6 2023 Sachsenring IDM Supersport round
Moto3 1:25.467 Iván Ortolá KTM RC250GP 2024 German motorcycle Grand Prix
MotoE 1:26.522 Héctor Garzó Ducati MotoE 2024 German motorcycle Grand Prix
TCR Touring Car 1:26.749[13] Luca Engstler Hyundai i30 N TCR 2018 Sachsenring TCR Germany round
125cc 1:26.909 Gábor Talmácsi Aprilia RS125R 2007 German motorcycle Grand Prix
GT4 1:27.061[14] Mike David Ortmann Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 2022 Sachsenring ADAC GT4 round
ETCR 1:30.251[15] Maxime Martin Alfa Romeo Giulia ETCR 2022 Sachsenring FIA ETCR round
Supersport 300 1:31.779[16] Iñigo Iglesias [de] Kawasaki Ninja 400 2023 Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 round
NXT Gen Cup 1:41.666[17] Victor Nielsen LRT NXT1 2024 Sachsenring NXT Gen Cup round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.704 km (2001–2002)
Formula Three 1:17.151[18] Kosuke Matsuura Dallara F301 2001 Sachsenring German F3 round
DTM 1:21.221[19] Michael Bartels Opel Astra DTM 2002 Sachsenring DTM round
Formula BMW 1.25.988[20] Maximilian Götz Mygale FB02 2002 Sachsenring Formula BMW ADAC round
MotoGP 1:26.226 Valentino Rossi Honda RC211V 2002 German motorcycle Grand Prix
500cc 1:26.808 Shinya Nakano Yamaha YZR500 2001 German motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 1:27.233 Marco Melandri Aprilia RSV250 2001 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:29.125[21] Roland Asch Porsche 911 (996 I) GT3 Cup 2001 Sachsenring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
125cc 1:29.486 Steve Jenkner Aprilia RS125R 2002 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.386 km (2000)
Formula Three 1:14.394[22] Alex Müller Dallara F300 2000 Sachsenring German F3 round
DTM 1:19.971[23] Marcel Fässler Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK DTM 2000 Sachsenring DTM round
250cc 1:23.575 Olivier Jacque Yamaha YZR250 2000 German motorcycle Grand Prix
500cc 1:23.918 Tadayuki Okada Honda NSR500 2000 German motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 1:26.150 Youichi Ui Derbi RS125R 2000 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:26.620[24] Roland Asch Porsche 911 (996 I) GT3 Cup 2000 Sachsenring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.508 km (1998–1999)
Formula Three 1:20.078[25] Bas Leinders Dallara F397 1998 Sachsenring German F3 round
500cc 1:28.072 Alex Barros Honda NSR500 1999 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Super Touring 1:28.384[26] Christian Abt Audi A4 Quattro 1999 Sachsenring STW Cup round
250cc 1:28.625 Tetsuya Harada Aprilia RSV 250 1998 German motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 1:30.159 Emilio Alzamora Honda RS125R 1999 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.517 km (1996–1997)
Formula Three 1:24.416[27] Timo Scheider Dallara F397 1997 Sachsenring German F3 round
Super Touring 1:31.800[28] Laurent Aïello Peugeot 406 1997 Sachsenring STW Cup round
Grand Prix Circuit: 8.618 km (1927–1990)
500cc 2:55.400 Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta 500 Three 1968 East German motorcycle Grand Prix
350cc 2:59.200 Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta 350 3C 1971 East German motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 3:01.100 Jarno Saarinen Yamaha 250 V4 1972 East German motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 3:12.200 Bill Ivy Yamaha AS1 1968 East German motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Three 3:12.200[29] Kurt Ahrens Jr. Brabham BT18 1966 Sachsenringrennen
Formula Junior 3:21.700[30] Willy Lehmann SEG - Wartburg 1963 Sachsenring East German Formula Junior round
50cc 3:41.200 Jan de Vries Kreidler 50 GP 1972 East German motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Two 3:44.600[31] Fritz Riess AFM 3 1950 Sachsenringrennen

Spectators at the MotoGP since 1998

Year Spectators Growth
1998 142,000  
1999 151,000 + 6.34%
2000 161.000 + 6.62%
2001 177,000 + 9.94%
2002 184,500 + 4.24%
2003 204,000 + 10.57%
2004 207,745 + 1.84%
2005 216,457 + 4.19%
2006 219,848 + 1.57%
2007 226,944 + 3.23%
2008 221,492 - 2.40%
2009 214,711 - 3,06%
2010 224,668 + 4.64%
2011 230,133 + 2.4%
2012 195,695 - 15%
2013 204,491 + 4.5%
2014 209,408 + 2.4%
2015 211,588 + 1%

References

  1. ^ "DTM Zurück Auf dem Sachsenring". Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b Official Website of the MZ-Cup
  3. ^ "2008 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 15". Motor Sport Magazine. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  4. ^ "2024 DTM Sachsenring - Prototype Cup Germany - Race 2 - Result List" (PDF). 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  5. ^ "2017 ADAC Formel 4 Sachsenring Result List Race 2" (PDF). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  6. ^ "ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring 2017". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  7. ^ "2011 Sachsenring FIA GT - Round 4". Motor Sport Magazine. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  8. ^ "2004 Formula Renault 2000 Germany Sachsenring (Race 2)". 15 August 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  9. ^ "ADAC Masters Weekend Sachsenring 13.05.2011 - 15.05.2011 ADAC Formel Masters Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 14 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  10. ^ "2022 Porsche Cup Deutschland Sachsenring (Race 1)". 24 September 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  11. ^ "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Superbike 1000 Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  12. ^ "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  13. ^ "ADAC TCR Germany Sachsenring 2018 Race 1 Results" (PDF). 8 September 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  14. ^ "2022 ADAC GT4 Germany Race 1 Sachsenring" (PDF). 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  15. ^ "FIA ETCR - Race of Germany 23-25 September 2022 Pool Fast - Semi Final 2 300 kW - 40s. PU Final Ranking". 25 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  16. ^ "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 Race 2" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  17. ^ "2024 DTM Sachsenring - NXT Gen Cup - Race 4 - Result List" (PDF). 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  18. ^ "2001 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 7". Motor Sport Magazine. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  19. ^ "DTM 2002 » Sachsenring Round 4 Results". 2 June 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  20. ^ "2002 Formula BMW ADAC Sachsenring (Race 1)". 1 June 2002. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  21. ^ "2001 Porsche Cup Deutschland Sachsenring". 17 June 2001. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  22. ^ "ADAC Sparkassenpreis Sachsenring 9.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 5 August 2000. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  23. ^ "DTM 2000 » Sachsenring Round 7 Results". 6 August 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  24. ^ "2000 German Porsche Carrera Cup - Aug 6 - Sachsenring". 6 August 2000. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  25. ^ "ADAC-Preis Des MDR Sachsenring 5.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 23 May 1998. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  26. ^ "1999 Super Tourenwagen Cup Sachsenring (Race 2)". 9 May 1999. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  27. ^ "ADAC-Preis Der Freie Presse Sachsenring 6.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 2" (PDF). 15 June 1997. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  28. ^ "STW Cup 1997 » Sachsenring Round 8 Results". 15 June 1997. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  29. ^ "XVIII Internationales Sachsenringrennen". 17 July 1966. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  30. ^ "XV Internationales Sachsenringrennen". 18 August 1963. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  31. ^ "II Sachsenringrennen". 27 August 1950. Retrieved 15 July 2022.

Bibliography

  • Wolfgang Hallmann: Das war der Sachsenring – Geschichte und Gegenwart einer legendären Rennstrecke; Chemnitzer Verlag, Chemnitz; 1996; ISBN 3-928678-32-9
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sachsenring.