18 July | Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland
Celebrating its 80-year jubilee in July, the Sachsenring was known for most of its life as an 8km course held on public roads, and even once hosted Giacomo Agostini on an MV Augusta. With developments in technology in the late 1980s dramatically increasing speed, power and therefore risk of injury and death, racing through the village became too dangerous for riders and spectators alike, so the circuit was redesigned to meet new standards.
Coinciding with the fall of the Iron Curtain around 1990, the current 3.671 km circuit was built in 1996 and retains little semblance of the old track, with MotoGP first arriving here in 1998. Low-gear, paint-swapping corners now dominate much of the track, allowing the pent-up power of the machines to be released only after the final turns onto the two straights in the final section. Although shorter than the main straight, the back downhill straight is the fastest point on the track leading into the sweeping Sachsen turn which always has a lot of action - hence why we recommend the stands 12,13 and the catered 14; however there is good viewing all over the circuit.
Pedrosa ran away with it in 2007, with Hayden taking third behind Capirossi, making it a welcome change to the normal season - Honda and Michelin suddenly looking good again, with the notable exception of Rossi. This tortuous track tests tyres as much as riders!
We had a blast in 2008, with an opening party at the Ratskeller featuring a speaker from inside the Pramac Ducati pit, and Saturday night found us on an impromptu pub crawl of Chemnitz. The rain didn't spoil the day at all. In fact many of our customers ended up singing a little.
Sachsenring is one of the best value MotoGPs of the tournament; as a quick glance at our packages will show. Our classic package puts you in a 3* hotel (newly renovated to 4* standard) in the centre of Chemnitz; ready for all the town action. It is also great for Single accommodation. Our superior package is in the top hotel in the town, the 4* Renaissance. In both cases we take you to the track and back on Sat/Sun (optionally on Fri) and to our Fri opening reception. Saturday evening for those keen, you can stay at the track and enjoy the free rock concert, and we will take you home later (small additional cost); and Sunday we have an optional 'winding down' dinner which usually ends up in an informal pub tour of the town! Finally, if you can make it Thursday, the circuit offers full paddock passes and put lane walks for sale. A great opportunity to spot your favourite riders up close! Of course our staff are on hand at all times to ensure you have a great time!
