Routes to the Sachsenring
Via A4 motorway
Use exit Hohenstein-Ernstthal; following the brown 'Sachsenring' signs, drive on the old Sachsenring towards Oberlungwitz.
WATCH OUT - right after the yellow 'Oberlungwitz' place-name sign there is a radar trap, so slow down in time! Turn left at the next traffic lights (there is a VW dealer on the right), go straight on and turn right after the 'Reifen Walther' garage. After about 300 metres you will see a big green gate on the left - the entrance to the Sachsenring. (there's a small ARAL petrol station on the right).
Via A72 motorway
Use exit Stollberg-NORD and follow the brown 'Sachsenring'-signs.
Turn to the right at the next traffic lights and pass through Lugau all the way down into Oberlungwitz. There you come to a T-junction in the valley where you turn left.Go straight on at the next two traffic lights. At the third traffic lights (there is a VW dealer on the left) you turn right into the industrial estate, go straight on an turn right after passing the 'Reifen Walther' garage. After about 300 metres you will see a large green gate on the left - the entrance to the Sachsenring (there's a small ARAL petrol station on the right.)
From Dresden airport(around 95 km)
Follow the A4 motorway around 90km towards Eisenach and Frankfurt/M. until you get to the exit Hohenstein-Ernstthal. Turn left an go along the B180 trunk road, following the brown 'Sachsenring' signs (see 'Via A4 motorway' for details)
From Leipzig/Halle airport (around 150 km)
Go along the A14 towardsDresden. At motorway intersection Nossen switch over to the A4 motorway and drive towards Eisenach / Frankfurt/Main until you get to the exit Hohenstein-Ernstthal. Turn left an go along the B180 trunk road, following the 'Sachsenring' signs (see 'Via A4 motorway' for details).
http://www.sachsenring-circuit.com/index_en.htm
CLIMATE
The climate of Saxony is generally healthy. It is mildest in the valleys of the Elbe, Mulde and Pleisse and severest in the Erzgebirge, where the district near Johanngeorgenstadt is known as Saxon Siberia. The average temperature, like that of central Germany as a whole, varies from 48° to 50° Fahr.; in the Elbe valley the mean in summer is from 62° to 64° and in the winter about 300; in the Erzgebirge the mean temperature in summer is from 55° to 57°, and in winter 23° to 24°. The Erzgebirge is also the rainiest district, 272 to 332 in. falling yearly; the amount decreases as one proceeds northward, and Leipzig, with an average annual rainfall of 17 in., enjoys the driest climate.
THE CIRCUIT
Its varied history makes the Sachsenring attractive, even after all those years. It survived all political eras and managed to come out of each one the stronger for it. And on this year’s anniversary, the Sachsenring has quite a story to tell. It all began on 26 May 1927 – a historical date. That’s when the first motorcycle race was started here, at the time it was still called the Badberg- Viereck race. Over than 140,000 spectators lined the track. During the second run the following year there were a few injuries and several fatal accidents. As a result, the races were prohibited.
It wasn’t until 1934 that organisers dared to try it again. At first there were still some nay-sayers as the two-wheelers rode at high speeds around Hohenstein-Ernstthal but it wasn’t long before the “Sachsenring”, named in 1937, became something nobody could imagine living without. On the contrary. The course continued to get more and more well-known and quickly became a part of the international racing calendar. In 1936 and 1938 the “Große Preis von Europa” [European Grand Prix], comparable to today’s World Championships, was run on this track. The racing distance was 40 laps for the 500s. That was about 350 kilometres. It took drivers two and a half hours to cover that distance.
The heros from that pre-war time were Ewald Kluge, Georg Meier, James Guthrie and Bernd Rosemeyer. They made history on the 8.7 kilometre natural racetrack. Then the war came. The region lay in ruins. But as soon as it was over the motorcycles were quick to start up again. Spectators showed up at the Ring in droves again as early as 1949. In 1950 the Sachsenring reached its absolute peak with 480,000 guests on racing Sunday alone.
The constant presence of even top international drivers wasn’t without consequences. From 1961 to 1972 the big names on the scene rolled in with the world championship support staff one after the other: Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Angel Nieto, Dieter Braun. The Sachsenring had done it: World Championship races were held in the solo categories. “Ago” went down in history in this World Championship era with the fastest race lap ever. He did it in 2:55.4 minutes. That’s an average of 176.798 km/h. For Dieter Braun the races were always something very special. The two-time world champion and 14 time Grand Prix winner still remembers exactly how things were: “I rode my best race in 1971 at the Ring.” The Swabian won in front of a stunning backdrop of 300,000 spectators in the 250 category, leaving champions like Rod Gould and Phil Read far behind. “It was huge. We West Germans were worshipped as heroes at the time of the Iron Curtain.”
1973 was the end of that. The government of the GDR only held races with participants from the Eastern states. Western drivers were no longer permitted. It wasn’t until 1990 that everyone was allowed to race again. But for the time being it was the last year before a break. City transit no longer permitted this kind of competition. The Ring passed right through the town of Hohenstein-Ernstthal. That had always given the race a really special flair but during the previous season there had been three deaths.
But a Sachsenring without a race? First there was a bold plan to build a motodrome but it failed. That’s why ADAC Saxony detoured to Most and Brno as a last resort, in hopes of seeing the tradition of the Sachsenring race live on.
But the construction of a traffic safety centre at the Sachsenring in 1995 opened up completely new possibilities. Following some rebuilding in 1996, it can still be made into a racing track for cars and motorcycles if necessary. The “new” Sachsenring still contains parts of the old course but it has been expanded in keeping with the highest safety standards and no longer affects the public transportation system. The present facility has a permanent and contemporary pit lane facilities, a new start/finish tower, one of the most state-of-the-art race control centres ever. In light of these conditions, the Grand Prix circus returned to the historic site in 1998. A new press centre was constructed for the international press. The asphalt on the Sachsenring was completely redone last year, making it a modern racetrack, in keeping with Grand Prix sport standards for years to come. The MotoGP races at the Sachsenring have since acquired a legendary reputation. Over 220,000 spectators attended the most recent mega event.
The Free State of Saxony, ADAC and a special Sachsenring association invest huge amounts to keep the motor sport events
and working conditions up to date.
HISTORY
Long in the heart of German-speaking Europe, Saxony became one of the new easternmost German regions after the border-changes of 1945, which were under Communist rule until 1989. The legacy of the state under the Communists' German Democratic Republic still largely defines present-day Saxony.
During the early Middle Ages the term Saxony referred to the region occupied by today's states of Lower Saxony and northern North Rhine-Westphalia. The term Saxon does not always correlate with Saxony: a Saxon is not necessarily an inhabitant of Saxony (e.g. Saxon people, Anglo-Saxons or Transylvanian Saxons).
Saxony has a long history as a duchy, an electorate of the Holy Roman Empire (the Electorate of Saxony), and eventually as a kingdom (the Kingdom of Saxony). In 1918, subsequent to Germany's defeat in World War I, its monarchy was overthrown and a republican form of government was established under its current name. The state was broken up into smaller units during communist rule (1949-1989), but was re-established on 3 October 1990 during the re-unification of East and West Germany.
Wikipedia
HOTEL MEERANE ****
LOCATION:
This hotel is located on the edge of the Saxon castle country in a strategic position to the circuit. All rooms are equipped with a minibar, a colour TV, a telephone, a safe, and a fax-and modem connection. During the day you can choose from fresh specialties of the regional coast or the variety of the international delights in our demanding restaurant Ambiente.
ROOMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH:
Internet access
TV
Telephone
Safe
DISTANCE FROM THE CIRCUIT: 22 Kms / 20 minutes
PENTA HOTEL CHEMNITZ ***
LOCATION:
Halfway between the motorways A4/72 and the city centre the Penta Hotel Chemnitz is located within the most beautiful district at the green and quiet castle hill. 226 elegant rooms with air conditioning including 16 townhouse suites with own terrace, which open a unbelievable view over the city. The hotel offers a wellness club with pool, a restaurant and a bar.
ROOMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH:
Internet access (to be paid locally)
Satellite TV
Telephone
Ironing board
DISTANCE FROM THE CIRCUIT: 25 Kms / 25 minutes
MERCURE HOTEL KONGRESS ***
LOCATION:
Located right in the city centre, just a few minutes walk from the main railway station. It offers 386 rooms with modern amenities, seminar and conference facilities with the latest technology for up to 300 people, one restaurant and one bar. Car parks close by.
ROOMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH:
WIFI Internet access
Satellite TV
Telephone
Hair dryer
DISTANCE FROM THE CIRCUIT: 25 Kms / 25 minutes
RESIDENZ HOTEL****
LOCATION:
The Residenz Hotel Chemnitz offers all the comfort of an international 4-star hotel. Its location is ideal: it is only a few minutes far from the city centre and with good public transport connections.
ROOMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH:
Direct dial phone
Wardrobe
Satellite Tv
Hair dryer
Desk and dining table
DISTANCE FROM THE CIRCUIT: 25 Kms / 25 minutes
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