Lausitzring

Dekra Lausitzring
LocationKlettwitz
(Brandenburg, Germany)
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates51°32′0″N 13°55′10″E / 51.53333°N 13.91944°E / 51.53333; 13.91944
Capacity120,000
FIA Grade2 (2 layouts)
OwnerDekra Automobil GmbH (2017–present)
OperatorEuroSpeedway Verwaltungs GmbH
Broke ground17 June 1998; 26 years ago (1998-06-17)[1]
Opened20 August 2000; 24 years ago (2000-08-20)[2]
Former namesEuroSpeedway Lausitz (2000–2010)
Lausitzring (2010–2017)
Major eventsCurrent:
DTM (2000–present)
Austria Formula 3 Cup (2003–2010, 2012–2013, 2015–2018, 2024)
Former:
World SBK (2001–2002, 2005–2007, 2016–2017)
Sidecar World Championship (2001–2002)
Champ Car German 500 (2001, 2003)
European Truck Racing Championship (2001–2002)
ADAC GT Masters (2007–2017, 2020–2022)
FIA GT (2000)
A1GP (2005)
F3 Euroseries (2005–2006, 2009)
World Series by Nissan
(2003–2004)
ASCAR Racing Series
(2002–2003)
Websitehttp://www.eurospeedway.de/
Superspeedway (2000–present)
Length3.256 km (2.023 miles)
Turns3
Bankingup to 5.7°
Race lap record0:34.747 (Brazil Tony Kanaan, Reynard 01I, 2001, CART)
Grand Prix Circuit (2000–present)
Length4.345 km (2.700 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:32:059 (United Kingdom Scott Mansell, Benetton B197, 2004, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit with Banked Turn 1 (2021–present)
Length4.601 km (2.860 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:32.085 (Germany Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, 2022, GT3)
Motorcycle Circuit (2000–present)
Length4.297 km (2.670 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:36.634 (United Kingdom Chaz Davies, Ducati Panigale R, 2017, World SBK)
Sprint Circuit (2004–present)
Length3.478 km (2.161 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record1:13.100 (France Patrick d’Aubreby, Benetton B192, 2005, F1)
Aerial view of Lausitzring
Grandstands on the front stretch

The Lausitzring (formally known as the Dekra Lausitzring for ownership reasons) is a race track located near Klettwitz (a civil parish of Schipkau, Oberspreewald-Lausitz district) in the state of Brandenburg in northeast Germany, near the borders of Poland and the Czech Republic. It was originally named Lausitzring as it is located in the region of Lusatia, known as Lausitz in German, but was renamed EuroSpeedway Lausitz for better international communication from 2000 to 2010. The EuroSpeedway has been in use for motor racing since 2000. Among other series, DTM (German Touring Car Championship) takes place there annually. It also used to host the Superbike World Championship.

The Lausitzring has a feature which is unique in continental Europe: a high-speed oval race track, as used in the United States by NASCAR and IndyCar. The 3.256 km (2.023 mi) tri-oval (similar to Pocono Raceway) was used twice in 2001 and 2003 by open seater CART races named German 500 (won by Kenny Bräck and Sébastien Bourdais), plus a few British SCSA races. In 2005 and 2006, the German Formula Three Championship held races at the oval,[3][4] with a pole position lap average speed of 251.761 km/h (156.437 mph)[5] and a race average of 228.931 km/h (142.251 mph).[6]

History

[edit]

As far back as 1986, in the former communist East Germany, it was planned to convert one of the huge open coal mine pits into a race track. In the late 1990s, this idea was taken up again in order to build a replacement for the AVUS in Berlin. The construction of the EuroSpeedway Lausitz began on 17 June 1998.[1] The facility was officially opened during a public ceremony on 20 August 2000.[2]

Winding in the infield of the high-speed tri-oval, there is a regular road race track for automobile and motorbike racing, using various track configurations up to roughly 4.562 km (2.835 mi). The stands around the tri-oval have a capacity of 120,000, while the huge main grandstands have 25,000 seats, and unlike many circuits, the entire circuit can be seen from the main grandstand. Next to the racing facility, there is a test oval with two long straights connecting two steeply banked U-shaped corners. The test oval has a total length of 5.800 km (3.604 mi), with each of its two straights measuring about 2.5 km (1.6 mi) in length. All tracks can be connected to form an 12.030 km (7.475 mi) long endurance racing course, but so far this option has been used only for testing and never as part of a major event.[citation needed]

There were three serious accidents at the facility in its first year of operation. On 25 April 2001, former Formula One driver Michele Alboreto was killed on the test oval after crashing at high speed due to a tyre failure.[7][8] Alboreto was testing an Audi R8 in preparation of his participation at the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just over a week later, on 3 May 2001, a track marshal was killed when he was hit by a touring car during a test session.[citation needed]

The third serious accident occurred on 15 September 2001, when the venue's tri-oval hosted the 2001 American Memorial. It was the first race of the American CART series to be held in Europe, but it was eventually overshadowed by the accident in which the series' two-time champion Alex Zanardi was involved. Zanardi lost control of his car at the pit exit following a late stop for fuel and the car slid onto the tri-oval, where it was hit from the side by Alex Tagliani's car at full speed. The impact split the front of Zanardi's car from the rest of it and caused the driver to suffer a traumatic amputation of both of his legs. Tagliani was not seriously injured, having suffered some bruising as a result of the crash.

The official EuroSpeedway anthem "Speed Kings" was recorded by the veteran East German band Puhdys in 2000.

The last concert of German hard rock band Böhse Onkelz took place on 17 and 18 June 2005 at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz under the name Vaya Con Tioz, in front of approximately 120,000. It was the biggest open air show by a German band ever.

On 9 October 2005, the EuroSpeedway played host to the A1 Grand Prix series on its road course. The fastest lap of the meeting was set by Nicolas Lapierre and was 0.45 seconds slower than the lap record for the 4.345 km (2.700 mi) circuit held by Heikki Kovalainen.

The EuroSpeedway played host to Round 6 of the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship. As the last two events of the 2010 Championship (Rounds 7 and 8) were cancelled, the 2011 series was cancelled as well. The series then suffered an overall three-year hiatus before finally returning in September 2016 and September 2017.[9]

Panorama shot of the speedway from the grandstands

On 1 November 2017, the entire facility was sold to the vehicle inspection company Dekra, which announced plans to modernize it and use it as a proving ground for road car innovations.[10] Amid fears that the purchase would mark the end of public racing events at the circuit, Dekra announced that it would not organize such events, but other companies would remain welcome to organize them and Dekra would rent the circuit to them for the purpose.[11] The DTM has continued to organize races at the circuit ever since.

Layout configurations

[edit]
  • Superspeedway layout
    Superspeedway layout
  • Grand Prix Circuit layout
    Grand Prix Circuit layout
  • DTM Sprint Circuit layout
    DTM Sprint Circuit layout
  • Motorcycle Circuit layout
    Motorcycle Circuit layout
  • Detailed map of the Lausitzring
    Detailed map of the Lausitzring

Lap records

[edit]

As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Lausitzring are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.345 km (2000–present)[12]
BOSS GP F1 Class 1:32.059[13] Scott Mansell Benetton B197 2004 Lausitzring EuroBOSS round
Formula Nissan 1:32.215[14] Heikki Kovalainen Dallara SN01 2004 Lausitzring World Series by Nissan round
A1 GP 1:34.736 Nelson Piquet Jr. Lola A1GP 2005–06 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Germany
F3000 1:34.877[15] Robbie Kerr Lola B99/50 2005 Lausitzring 3000 Pro round
Formula Three 1:36.854[16] Markus Winkelhock Dallara F301 2001 Lausitzring German F3 round
Class 1 Touring Cars 1:37.897[17] Philipp Eng BMW M4 Turbo DTM 2019 2019 Lausitzring DTM round
LMP900 1:38.353[18] Beppe Gabbiani Dome S101 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Lausitz
DTM 1:39.395[19] Marco Wittmann BMW M4 DTM 2018 Lausitzring DTM round
LMP675 1:43.082[18] Mirko Savoldi Lucchini SR2002 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Lausitz
Formula Volkswagen 1:43.662[20] Sven Barth Reynard Formula Volkswagen 2002 2nd Lausitzring Formula Volkswagen Germany round
GT1 (GTS) 1:43.830[21] Julian Bailey Lister Storm GT 2000 FIA GT Lausitzring 500km
GT3 1:44.739[22] Dino Lunardi [fr] BMW Alpina B6 GT3 2012 Lausitzring ADAC GT Masters round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:45.303[23] Reinhard Kofler [pl] Tatuus FR2000 2004 Lausitzring Formula Renault 2000 Germany round
Formula 4 1:46.485[24] Charles Weerts Tatuus F4-T014 2018 Lausitzring ADAC F4 round
N-GT 1:48.219[21] Patrick Huisman Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R 2000 FIA GT Lausitzring 500km
ADAC Formel Masters 1:48.366[25] Florian Herzog Dallara Formulino 2012 Lausitzring ADAC Formel Masters round
Formula BMW 1:48.761[26] Sebastian Vettel Mygale FB02 2004 Lausitzring Formula BMW ADAC round
V8Star Series 1:50.105[27] Thomas Mutsch V8Star car 2001 2nd Lausitzring V8Star round
GT4 1:55.120[28] Tim Heinemann Mercedes-AMG GT4 2020 Lausitzring DTM Trophy round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:59.394[29] Leon Köhler Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2020 Lausitzring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
TCR Touring Car 2:10.126[30] Dominik Fugel Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8) 2020 2nd Lausitzring ADAC TCR Germany round
Motorcycle Circuit: 4.265 km (2000–present)
World SBK 1:36.634[31] Chaz Davies Ducati Panigale R 2017 Lausitzring Superbike World SBK round
Formula Three 1:39.852[32] Philipp Regensperger Dallara F305 2017 Lausitzring Remus F3 Cup round
World SSP 1:41.035[33] Niki Tuuli Yamaha YZF-R6 2016 Lausitzring World SSP round
Supersport 300 1:52.866[34] Rick Dunnik Yamaha YZF-R3 2020 Lausitzring IDM Supersport 300 round
250cc 1:52.909[35] Freddie Heinrich KTM 250 FRR 2020 Lausitzring Northern Talent Cup round
Grand Prix Circuit with Banked Turn 1: 4.601 km (2021–present)
GT3 1:32.085[36] Maro Engel Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 2022 Lausitzring DTM round
GT4 1:42.039[37] Thiago Vivacqua [pl] Audi R8 LMS GT4 Evo 2022 Lausitzring DTM Trophy round
Sprint Circuit: 3.478 km (2004–present)
EuroBOSS/F1 1:13.100[38] Patrick d’Aubreby Benetton B192 2005 1st Lausitzring EuroBOSS round
Formula Three 1:15.109[39] Markus Pommer Dallara F311 2014 1st Lausitzring German F3 round
Class 1 Touring Cars 1:16.992[40] Robin Frijns Audi RS5 Turbo DTM 2020 2020 1st Lausitzring DTM round
DTM 1:17.098[41] René Rast Audi RS5 DTM 2017 Lausitzring DTM round
GT3 1:20.629[42] Kelvin van der Linde Audi R8 LMS ultra 2014 Lausitzring ADAC GT Masters round
LMP3 1:20.656[43] Keanu Al Azhari Duqueine D-08 2024 Lausitzring Prototype Cup Germany round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:21.264[44] Atte Mustonen Tatuus FR2000 2005 Lausitzring Formula Renault 2.0 Germany round
Formula 4 1:21.759[45] Robert Shwartzman Tatuus F4-T014 2015 Lausitzring ADAC F4 round
ADAC Formel Masters 1:23.602[46] Marvin Dienst Dallara Formulino 2014 Lausitzring ADAC Formel Masters round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:24.174[47] Harry King Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2023 Lausitzring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
Formula BMW 1:24.312[48] Sébastien Buemi Mygale FB02 2005 Lausitzring Formula BMW ADAC round
GT4 1:28.559[49] Denis Bulatov Mercedes-AMG GT4 2023 Lausitzring ADAC GT4 Germany round
TCR Touring Car 1:29.986[50] Nico Gruber [nl] Hyundai i30 N TCR 2020 1st Lausitzring ADAC TCR Germany round
Superspeedway: 3.256 km (2000–present)[12]
CART 0:34.747[51] Tony Kanaan Reynard 01I 2001 American Memorial
Formula Three 0:46.664[52] Ronny Wechselberger Dallara F302 2005 Eastside 100
Stock car racing 0:49.026[53] Ben Collins Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2003 2nd Lausitzring ASCAR round

Commercial use

[edit]

Test site

[edit]

On 1 November 2017, Dekra acquired the Lausitzring as a test site, especially for autonomous driving.[54] In April 2019 test and verification of communication elements took place on the Lausitzring. Participants were Ford, Samsung, Vodafone, Huawei, LG Electronics and others. Topics were communication matters.[55]

Entertainment

[edit]

Dekra organised also an Open-air festival, that took place in May 2019.[56]

Events

[edit]

Complementary racing events, such as DTM are on the agenda.[56]

Current
Future
Former

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Die Anfänge". Eurospeedway.de (in German). Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Saison 2000". Eurospeedway.de (in German). Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  3. ^ Sensationelle Rennen im Trioval - August 29, 2005 (in German)
  4. ^ Cindy - Liebling der Fans - July 31, 2006 (in German)
  5. ^ ADAC Eastside 100 - Practice 2 - August 29, 2005 (in German)
  6. ^ ADAC Eastside 100 - Race 2 - August 29, 2005 (in German)
  7. ^ "Michele Alboreto Killed in Testing Accident (Updated)". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  8. ^ "PLUS: AUTO RACING; Alboreto Is Killed Testing Audi R8". The New York Times. Associated Press. 2001-04-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  9. ^ "Red Bull Air Race wieder auf dem Lausitzring". Lausitzer Rundschau (in German). Cottbus, Brandenburg. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  10. ^ "DTM and former Champ Car venue Lausitzring to close to public". autosport.com. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  11. ^ Wittemeier, Roman (17 July 2017). "Dekra übernimmt Lausitzring: DTM könnte bleiben". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  12. ^ a b "Lausitzring Motorsport Database". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  13. ^ "The BOSS route". Motor Sport Magazine. November 2004. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  14. ^ "2004 Formula Nissan Lausitzring (Race 1)". 8 August 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  15. ^ "2005 Lausitzring ProSeries". Motor Sport Magazine. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  16. ^ "2001 Lausitz German F3 - Round 13". Motor Sport Magazine. 11 August 2001. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  17. ^ "DTM 2019 » Lausitzring Grand Prix Round 14 Results". 25 August 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  18. ^ a b "FIA Sportscar Championship Lausitzring 2003". 11 May 2003. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  19. ^ "DTM 2018 » Lausitzring Grand Prix Round 4 Results". 20 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  20. ^ "9th 10th Round Formula Volkswagen 01/09/02 - Result 10th round, EuroSpeedway Lausitz, September 1, 2002 (16 laps)". 1 September 2002. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  21. ^ a b "FIA GT Championship Lausitzring 2000". 3 September 2000. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  22. ^ "ADAC GT Masters Lausitzring 2012 Race 2 Results" (PDF). 26 August 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  23. ^ "2004 Formula Renault 2000 Germany Lausitzring (Race 2)". 12 September 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  24. ^ "2018 ADAC Formula 4 Lausitzring Result Race 2" (PDF). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  25. ^ "2012 Lausitzring ADAC Formel Masters Result List Race 1" (PDF). 25 August 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  26. ^ "2004 Formula BMW ADAC Lausitzring (Race 2)". 6 June 2004. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  27. ^ "2001 V8 STAR Lausitzring 2 (Race 2)". 4 August 2001. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  28. ^ "DTM Trophy Lausitzring 2020". 23 August 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  29. ^ "2020 Porsche Cup Deutschland Lausitzring (Race 2)". 1 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  30. ^ "2020 ADAC TCR Germany Lausitzring Race 2 Results - 1 November 2020" (PDF). 1 November 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  31. ^ "German Round, 18-19-20 August 2017 World Superbike - Results Race 2" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  32. ^ "P9 Challenge Race Weekend Lausitzring Formelfahrz euge Ergebnis Race 1" (PDF). 15 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  33. ^ "German Round, 16-17-18 September 2016 World Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  34. ^ "2020 IDM Dekra Lausitzring IDM SSP 300 Race 2" (PDF). 13 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  35. ^ "2020 IDM Dekra Lausitzring Northern Talent Cup Race 2" (PDF). 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  36. ^ "DTM Season 2022 Round 3&4 Lausitzring Race 2 (55 Minutes +1 Lap) Final Classification" (PDF). 18 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  37. ^ "DTM Trophy Season 2022 Round 1&2 Lausitzring Race 2 (30 Minutes +3 Laps) Final Classification" (PDF). 19 September 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  38. ^ "EuroBOSS Racing Archive - Circuit Lap Records (Correct as at 6 Aug 2007)". 3 July 2005. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  39. ^ "ADAC GT Masters Lausitzring 5.Lauf ATS Formel 3 Cup Ergebnis Rennen 2" (PDF). 24 May 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  40. ^ "DTM 2020 » Lausitzring Short Round 4 Results". 16 August 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  41. ^ "DTM 2017 » Lausitzring Short Round 4 Results". 21 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  42. ^ "ADAC GT Masters Lausitzring 2014". 25 May 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  43. ^ "2024 DTM Lausitzring - Prototype Cup Germany - Race 1 Result List" (PDF). 25 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  44. ^ "2005 Formula Renault 2000 Germany Lausitzring (Race 1)". 13 August 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  45. ^ "2015 ADAC Formel 4 Lausitzring Result List Race 1" (PDF). 4 July 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  46. ^ "2014 Lausitzring ADAC Formel Masters Result List Race 1" (PDF). 24 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  47. ^ "2023 ADAC GT4 Germany Lausitzring Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland Race 1 Result" (PDF). 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  48. ^ "2005 Formula BMW ADAC Lausitzring (Race 1)". 30 April 2005. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  49. ^ "2023 ADAC GT4 Germany Lausitzring Race 2 Result" (PDF). 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  50. ^ "2020 ADAC TCR Germany Lausitzring Race 1 Results - 2 August 2020" (PDF). 2 August 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  51. ^ "2001 Lausitz Champ Cars". Motor Sport Magazine. 15 September 2001. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  52. ^ "2005 Lausitz German F3 - Round 16". Motor Sport Magazine. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  53. ^ "2003 ASCAR Championship Round 7: Lausitzring, 14th September Race 1". 14 September 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  54. ^ "DEKRA und der Lausitzring - DEKRA übernimmt den Lausitzring" (in German). Retrieved April 18, 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  55. ^ "Weltkonzerne freuen sich über Meilenstein auf Lausitzring" (in German). April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  56. ^ a b "Saisonkalender 2019 und neue Website für DEKRA Lausitzring" (in German). Retrieved April 18, 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lausitzring&oldid=1252947297"