Sachsenring

For the former maker of the Trabant car, see HQM Sachsenring GmbH.

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.

Sachsenring

Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Location	Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany
Time zone	CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST)
Coordinates	50°47′30″N 12°41′20″E / 50.79167°N 12.68889°E / 50.79167; 12.68889
Opened	26 May 1927; 96 years ago (1927-05-26) Re-opened: 26 May 1996; 27 years ago (1996-05-26) (as Grand Prix Circuit)
Closed	1990 (as Road Circuit)
Major events	Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing German motorcycle Grand Prix (1998–2019, 2021–present) East German motorcycle Grand Prix (1961–1972) DTM (2000–2002, 2023) Former: FIA ETCR (2022) FIA GT1 World Championship (2011)
Website	http://www.sachsenring-circuit.com
Circuit A Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Length	3.671 km (2.281 miles)
Turns	13
Race lap record	1:13.714 ( Frédéric Vervisch, Dallara F306, 2008, F3)
Circuit B OMEGA-circuit (2003–present)
Length	2.100 km (1.304 miles)
Turns	11
Circuit C (2001–present)
Length	1.700 km (1.056 miles)
Turns	3
Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)
Length	3.704 km (2.302 miles)
Turns	14
Race lap record	1:17.151 ( Kosuke Matsuura, Dallara F301, 2001, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (2000)
Length	3.386 km (2.104 miles)
Turns	17
Race lap record	1:14.394 ( Alex Müller, Dallara F300, 2000, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999)
Length	3.508 km (2.180 miles)
Turns	18
Race lap record	1:20.078 ( Bas Leinders, Dallara F397, 1998, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–1997)
Length	3.517 km (2.185 miles)
Turns	18
Race lap record	1:24.416 ( Timo Scheider, Dallara F397, 1997, F3)
Original Circuit (1927–1990)
Length	8.618 km (5.355 miles)
Race lap record	2:55.400 ( Giacomo Agostini, MV Agusta 500 Three, 1968, 500cc)

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)

•  

  Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)

•  

  Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)

Most wins

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

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

^*German motorcycle Grand Prix was not held in 2020.

Events

 

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

Current

• May: Sidecar World Championship, IDM Superbike Championship
• June: Grand Prix motorcycle racing German motorcycle Grand Prix, MotoE German eRace
• August: MZ-Cup [de] – based in Germany, this low-budget one-make amateur racing series for un-, up to mildly tuned MZ Skorpions celebrated its 25th jubilee in 2021. From 2023 on it also opened up for off ranking guest participations of other selected Supermono bikes.^[2]
• September: Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, ADAC GT Masters, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany

Former

• ADAC Formula 4 (2015–2017, 2019, 2021)
• FIA ETCR (2022)
• German Formula Three Championship (1997–2002, 2004–2005, 2007–2014)
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing East German motorcycle Grand Prix (1961–1972)
• FIA GT1 World Championship (2011)
• Super Tourenwagen Cup (1996–1999)
• V8Star Series (2003)

Lap records

As of June 2023, 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 3	1:13.714^[3]	Frédéric Vervisch	Dallara F306	2008 Sachsenring German F3 round
Formula 4	1:18.362^[4]	Fabio Scherer	Tatuus F4-T014	2017 Sachsenring ADAC Formula 4 round
GT3	1:18.603^[5]	Luca Stolz	Mercedes-AMG GT3	2017 Sachsenring ADAC GT Masters round
GT1	1:19.602^[6]	Mike Hezemans [de]	Chevrolet Corvette C6.R	2011 Sachsenring FIA GT1 round
MotoGP	1:21.225	Johann Zarco	Ducati Desmosedici GP23	2023 German motorcycle Grand Prix
ADAC Formel Masters	1:21.715^[7]	Pascal Wehrlein	Dallara Formulino	2011 Sachsenring ADAC Formel Masters round
Porsche Carrera Cup	1:22.629^[8]	Laurin Heinrich	Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup	2022 Sachsenring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Moto2	1:23.673	Pedro Acosta	Kalex Moto2	2023 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Superbike	1:23.773^[9]	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^[10]	Melvin van der Voort	Yamaha YZF-R6	2023 Sachsenring IDM Supersport round
Moto3	1:25.694	Daniel Holgado	KTM RC250GP	2023 German motorcycle Grand Prix
TCR Touring Car	1:26.749^[11]	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^[12]	Mike David Ortmann	Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4	2022 Sachsenring ADAC GT4 round
MotoE	1:27.545	Randy Krummenacher	Ducati MotoE	2023 German motorcycle Grand Prix
ETCR	1:30.251^[13]	Maxime Martin	Alfa Romeo Giulia ETCR	2022 Sachsenring FIA ETCR round
Supersport 300	1:31.779^[14]	Iñigo Iglesias [de]	Kawasaki Ninja 400	2023 Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 round
Northern Talent Cup	1:32.474^[15]	Niklas Kitzbichler	KTM 250 FRR	2021 Sachsenring Northern Talent Cup round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.704 km (2001–2002)
Formula 3	1:17.151^[16]	Kosuke Matsuura	Dallara F301	2001 Sachsenring German F3 round
DTM	1:21.221^[17]	Michael Bartels	Opel Astra DTM	2002 Sachsenring DTM 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
125cc	1:29.486	Steve Jenkner	Aprilia RS125R	2002 German motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.386 km (2000)
Formula 3	1:14.394^[18]	Alex Müller	Dallara F300	2000 Sachsenring German F3 round
DTM	1:19.971^[19]	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
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.508 km (1998–1999)
Formula 3	1:20.078^[20]	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^[21]	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 3	1:24.416^[22]	Timo Scheider	Dallara F397	1997 Sachsenring German F3 round
Super Touring	1:31.800^[23]	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^[24]	Kurt Ahrens Jr.	Brabham BT18	1966 Sachsenringrennen
Formula Junior	3:21.700^[25]	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^[26]	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. Official Website of the MZ-Cup
3. "2008 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 15". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
4. "2017 ADAC Formula 4 Sachsenring Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 26 September 2022.
5. "ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring 2017". Retrieved 3 April 2021.
6. "2011 Sachsenring FIA GT - Round 4". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
7. "ADAC Masters Weekend Sachsenring 13.05.2011 - 15.05.2011 ADAC Formel Masters Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 14 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
8. "2022 Porsche Cup Deutschland Sachsenring (Race 1)". Retrieved 30 October 2022.
9. "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Superbike 1000 Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
10. "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
11. "ADAC TCR Germany Sachsenring 2018 Race 1 Results" (PDF). 8 September 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
12. "2022 ADAC GT4 Germany Race 1 Sachsenring" (PDF). 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
13. "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.
14. "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 Race 2" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
15. "2021 Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland Northern Talent Cup Race 2 Classification" (PDF). 20 June 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
16. "2001 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 7". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
17. "DTM 2002 » Sachsenring Round 4 Results". Retrieved 26 September 2022.
18. "ADAC SPARKASSENPREIS SACHSENRING 9.LAUF DEUTSCHE FORMEL-3-MEISTERSCHAFT ERGEBNIS RENNEN 1" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2022.
19. "DTM 2000 » Sachsenring Round 7 Results". Retrieved 26 September 2022.
20. "ADAC-PREIS DES MDR SACHSENRING 5.LAUF DEUTSCHE FORMEL-3-MEISTERSCHAFT ERGEBNIS RENNEN 1" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2022.
21. "STW Cup 1999 » Sachsenring Round 2 Results". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
22. "ADAC-PREIS DER FREIE PRESSE SACHSENRING 6.LAUF DEUTSCHE FORMEL-3-MEISTERSCHAFT ERGEBNIS RENNEN 2" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2022.
23. "STW Cup 1997 » Sachsenring Round 8 Results". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
24. "XVIII Internationales Sachsenringrennen". Retrieved 16 July 2022.
25. "XV Internationales Sachsenringrennen". Retrieved 15 July 2022.
26. "II Sachsenringrennen". 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

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sachsenring.

• (German page)
• Official website
• Map and history of Sachsenring at RacingCircuits.info
• Satellite View of Sachsenring from Google Maps