Sachsenring
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.
![]() 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 |
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) Sidecar World Championship (2005–2014, 2018, 2023–present) DTM (2000–2002, 2023–present) 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 (![]() |
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 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (2000) | |
Length | 3.386 km (2.104 miles) |
Turns | 17 |
Race lap record | 1:14.394 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1998–1999) | |
Length | 3.508 km (2.180 miles) |
Turns | 18 |
Race lap record | 1:20.078 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–1997) | |
Length | 3.517 km (2.185 miles) |
Turns | 18 |
Race lap record | 1:24.416 (![]() |
Original Circuit (1927–1990) | |
Length | 8.618 km (5.355 miles) |
Race lap record | 2:55.400 (![]() |
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.

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
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
# Wins | Rider | Years won* |
---|---|---|
11 | ![]() |
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 |
*German motorcycle Grand Prix was not held in 2020.
Events

- Current
- May: Sidecar World Championship, IDM Superbike Championship, Northern Talent Cup
- July: Grand Prix motorcycle racing German motorcycle Grand Prix, MotoE World Championship German eRace, Northern Talent Cup
- August: MZ-Cup – 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, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, Protoype Cup Germany
- Former
- ADAC Formula 4 (2015–2017, 2019, 2021)
- ADAC GT Masters (2007–2023)
- Formula BMW ADAC (2000–2002)
- FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup (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 Three | 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 | 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 | 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 | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2023 Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 round |
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.704 km (2001–2002) | ||||
Formula Three | 1:17.151[15] | Kosuke Matsuura | Dallara F301 | 2001 Sachsenring German F3 round |
DTM | 1:21.221[16] | Michael Bartels | Opel Astra DTM | 2002 Sachsenring DTM round |
Formula BMW | 1.25.988[17] | 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[18] | 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[19] | Alex Müller | Dallara F300 | 2000 Sachsenring German F3 round |
DTM | 1:19.971[20] | 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 Three | 1:20.078[21] | 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[22] | 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[23] | Timo Scheider | Dallara F397 | 1997 Sachsenring German F3 round |
Super Touring | 1:31.800[24] | 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[25] | Kurt Ahrens Jr. | Brabham BT18 | 1966 Sachsenringrennen |
Formula Junior | 3:21.700[26] | 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[27] | 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
- "DTM Zurück Auf dem Sachsenring". Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- Official Website of the MZ-Cup
- "2008 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 15". Motor Sport Magazine. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "2017 ADAC Formel 4 Sachsenring Result List Race 2" (PDF). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- "ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring 2017". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- "2011 Sachsenring FIA GT - Round 4". Motor Sport Magazine. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "ADAC Masters Weekend Sachsenring 13.05.2011 - 15.05.2011 ADAC Formel Masters Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 14 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- "2022 Porsche Cup Deutschland Sachsenring (Race 1)". 24 September 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Superbike 1000 Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport Race 1" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- "ADAC TCR Germany Sachsenring 2018 Race 1 Results" (PDF). 8 September 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- "2022 ADAC GT4 Germany Race 1 Sachsenring" (PDF). 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- "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.
- "2023 IDM Sachsenring IDM Supersport 300 Race 2" (PDF). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- "2001 Sachsenring German F3 - Round 7". Motor Sport Magazine. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "DTM 2002 » Sachsenring Round 4 Results". 2 June 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- "2002 Formula BMW ADAC Sachsenring (Race 1)". 1 June 2002. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- "2001 Porsche Cup Deutschland Sachsenring". 17 June 2001. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- "ADAC Sparkassenpreis Sachsenring 9.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 5 August 2000. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- "DTM 2000 » Sachsenring Round 7 Results". 6 August 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- "ADAC-Preis Des MDR Sachsenring 5.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1" (PDF). 23 May 1998. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- "1999 Super Tourenwagen Cup Sachsenring (Race 2)". 9 May 1999. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- "ADAC-Preis Der Freie Presse Sachsenring 6.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 2" (PDF). 15 June 1997. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- "STW Cup 1997 » Sachsenring Round 8 Results". 15 June 1997. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "XVIII Internationales Sachsenringrennen". 17 July 1966. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- "XV Internationales Sachsenringrennen". 18 August 1963. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- "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
External links
