Sachsenring
The Sachsenring (German pronunciation: [ˈzaksn̩ʁɪŋ] (listen)) 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.
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Location | Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany |
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Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
Coordinates | 50°47′30″N 12°41′20″E |
Opened | 1927 |
Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing German motorcycle Grand Prix (1998–2019, 2021–present) ADAC GT Masters (2007–present) Former: MotoE (2019) Sidecar World Championship (2005–2014, 2018) FIA GT1 (2011) DTM (2000–2002) STW Cup (1996–1999) |
Circuit A Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
Length | 3.671 km (2.281 miles) |
Race lap record | 1:13.714 (![]() |
Circuit B OMEGA-circuit | |
Length | 2.100 km (1.304 miles) |
Circuit C | |
Length | 1.700 km (1.056 miles) |
Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002) | |
Length | 3.704 km (2.302 miles) |
Race lap record | 1:17.151 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (2000) | |
Length | 3.386 km (2.104 miles) |
Race lap record | 1:19.971 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999) | |
Length | 3.508 km (2.180 miles) |
Race lap record | 1:28.072 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–1997) | |
Length | 3.517 km (2.185 miles) |
Race lap record | 1:31.800 (![]() |
Original Circuit (1927–1990) | |
Length | 8.618 km (5.355 miles) |
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Website | www |
History

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 1962 to 1971. 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.

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).

To accelerate redevelopment of eastern Germany in the new unified Germany, a 2.9 km (1.8 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.
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* |
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11 | ![]() |
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 |
* German grand Prix was not held in 2020.
Lap records
The lap records at the Sachsenring are listed as:
Events
- Current
- June: MotoGP German motorcycle Grand Prix
- September: ADAC GT Masters, ADAC TCR Germany Touring Car Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany
- Former
- ADAC Formula 4 (2015–2017, 2019, 2021)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2000–2002)
- East German motorcycle Grand Prix (1961–1972)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (2011)
- MotoE World Cup (2019)
- Super Tourenwagen Cup (1996–1999)
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
- "2008 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 15". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "2017 ADAC Formula 4 Sachsenring Session Facts". Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- "ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring 2017". Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- "2011 Sachsenring FIA GT - Round 4". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "ADAC TCR Germany Sachsenring 2018 Race 1 Results" (PDF). Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- "ADAC GT4 Sachsenring 2019". Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- "2001 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 7". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "2002 DTM Sachsenring Statistics". Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- "2000 DTM Sachsenring Statistics". Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- "STW Cup 1999 » Sachsenring Round 2 Results". Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- "STW Cup 1997 » Sachsenring Round 8 Results". Retrieved 30 April 2021.
Bibliography
- Wolfgang Hallmann: Das war der Sachsenring – Geschichte und Gegenwart einer legendären Rennstrecke; Chemnitzer Verlag, Chemnitz; 1996; ISBN 3-928678-32-9
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sachsenring. |