With a history that dates to the to the early 1990s, before the infamous fall of the Berlin Wall, Sachsenring is among the 10 best motor Grand Prix circuits of all time. Sachsenring has hosted over 110 races. Located in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, the motorsport circuit hosts German motorcycle GP of the popular FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Sachsenring circuit hosts the prestigious Grand Prix, and it’s renowned for the world’s best bikers and thousands of thrilling fans from across the world. With the exception of 2008 and 2012, the event has ever experienced a growth in fans since 1998. The first bikes to be used in this event were made locally; however, the racing started attracting Western machinery in 1990s. As of now every rider wants to test himself on the narrow circuit.
History
Long before Sachsenring was transformed into a modern arena that boasts of the best motorcycle riders, the circuit was nothing more than a temporary track on a public road. It became a permanent circuit in 1990. The circuit’s origins date back to mid-1920s when Paul Berger and Sepp Wagner organized a race on the roads of Saxony town in Hohenstein-Ernstthal. The two locals were inspired by previous successful races, such as Marienberg Race. Despite facing criticism from the local community, they formed a motorbike and hosted a race in 1927.
The first race drew a staggering 140,000 spectators, but it was so treacherous that at least 41 accidents were reported. Unlike today where sites like kry.Care offer online and instant healthcare support, there were no such services back in the day. Expectedly, the local authorities called off the race until 1934 when GP was hosted courtesy of the European Motorcycle Championship. Some riders were killed during this and subsequent events, but the race was not called to a halt this time around.
The circuit didn’t adopted the name Sachsenring until 1937. Proceedings were called to a halt due to World War 2, but the event resumed in 1949 and 1950, with the latter drawing close to 480,000 spectators. Among the famous riders are Scotsman Jimmie Guthrie, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Bill Ivy. Responsible authorities continue to make the track faster and longer every other year.
Accessing the Circuit
Strategically located in Saxony, Germany, the motorcycle circuit is accessible by road, air and train. Hohenstein- Ernstthal is 100 kilometers from Dresden Airport, 140 kilometers from Leipzig Airport and 150 kilometers from Erfurt Airport. When driving, it is crucial to follow road signs to the circuit, and it all depends on where a person is coming from. From Dresden by road, you should follow the A4 as if doing toward Erfurt, turn at Wüstenbrand on S242, head toward Oberlungwitz, and lastly head to Hohenstein-Ernstthal via B173. There’s also a train that runs from Berlin to Sachsenring, with closest train station being Hohenstein-Ernstthal. It takes 10 minutes to walk from the station to the circuit.