Sachsenring
Race track in Germany
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Re-opened: 26 May 1996 (as Grand Prix Circuit)
| |
 Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Location | Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°47′30″N 12°41′20″E |
| FIA Grade | 3 |
| Opened | 26 May 1927 Re-opened: 26 May 1996 (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–present) Former: Sidecar World Championship (2005–2014, 2018, 2023–2024) 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 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:13.714 ( Frédéric Vervisch, Dallara F306, 2008, F3) |
| Circuit B OMEGA-circuit (2003–present) | |
| Length | 2.100 km (1.305 mi) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Circuit C (2001–present) | |
| Length | 1.700 km (1.056 mi) |
| Turns | 3 |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002) | |
| Length | 3.704 km (2.302 mi) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:17.151 ( Kosuke Matsuura, Dallara F301, 2001, F3) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2000) | |
| Length | 3.386 km (2.104 mi) |
| 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 mi) |
| 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 mi) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.416 ( Timo Scheider, Dallara F397, 1997, F3) |
| Original Circuit (1927–1990) | |
| Length | 8.618 km (5.355 mi) |
| Race lap record | 2:55.400 ( Giacomo Agostini, MV Agusta 500 Three, 1968, 500cc) |
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 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.
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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 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 (1998–1999)
Grand Prix Circuit (2001–2002)
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Most wins
Events
- Current
- May: IDM Superbike Championship
- July: Grand Prix motorcycle racing German motorcycle Grand Prix, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, Northern Talent Cup
- September: Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, ADAC GT4 Germany
- Former
- ADAC Formel Masters (2008–2014)
- ADAC Formula 4 (2015–2017, 2019, 2021)
- ADAC GT Masters (2007–2023)
- ADAC TCR Germany Touring Car Championship (2016–2022)
- Austria Formula 3 Cup (1998, 2005)
- FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup (2022)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (2011)
- Formula BMW ADAC (2000–2002)
- Formula Renault 2.0 Germany (2004–2005)
- German Formula Three Championship (1997–2002, 2004–2005, 2007–2014)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- East German motorcycle Grand Prix (1961–1972)
- MotoE World Championship
- German eRace (2019, 2023–2024)
- NXT Gen Cup (2024–2025)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (1999–2002, 2014, 2017–2025)
- Prototype Cup Germany (2024)
- Sidecar World Championship (2005–2014, 2018, 2023–2024)
- Super Tourenwagen Cup (1996–1999)
- V8Star Series (2003)
Lap records
As of July 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Sachsenring are listed as:
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% |
