Where Time Stood Still: Sachsenring

When you’re an adolescent evolving through your conventional school routine you learn about pivotal moments in the past that forge the world’s history. Ancient and modern antiquity broaden our understanding of countries, people and their experiences. During these lessons one country that frequently emerges in our text books is Germany. We learn of abhorrent dictatorship, bitter segregation and tough customs and yet amid the mercilessness you are also educated in their substantial intelligence and efficiency. You are taught of big cities like Berlin and Munich but it’s the smaller towns that have silent stories, skills and a hefty impact. Here in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, home to the Sachsenring circuit, the history runs deep and the motorcycle sphere is one of complex beauty.

During the days of black and white photography and simplistic design (a period for us today that seems so distant) the first two wheeled motorsport event took place. In 1927 the public roads of Hohenstein-Ernstthal opened their arms to the arrival of boisterous machinery. The event was a triumph and uncovered a strong yearning for the sport. This signalled the beginning of a trend that would unfold over decades. Take thirty four steps forward to 1961. Walter Kaaden, German engineer and mastermind behind the evolution of two-stroke engines delivered an even richer essence of motorsport to this circuit. It was at Sachsenring (a circuit that was then comprised of public roads) that this colossal development was presented in the form of an MZ 125cc motorcycle. The birth of this concept would in turn power the World Championship (achieving 13 GP victories and 105 podiums over 21 years) but not entirely at the hands of the man who created it. Former Grand Prix and road racer Ernst Degner struck gold when he allegedly poached Kaaden’s technology and presented it to Suzuki, winning him the 1962 World Championship. This did not halt Kaaden’s mission to create the world’s best engine, but it wasn’t the fairytale narrative that one would hope for. In saying that, every little bit of this struggle was essential in shaping todays modern era of motorsport.

In this small town an eerie ambience simmers and its difficult not to feel as if time has stood still since WWII. As you approach the track the region comes to life with the sound of engines. This circuit is famously known for being the shortest (measuring only 3.671km) and most complex on the MotoGP agenda. It’s unique topography has influenced the construction of undulating curves (majority left hand) and boundless uphill and downhill movement which Valentino Rossi confirmed “Sachsenring is such a particular track. Sometimes it’s not easy and different to the rest. Especially for the uphill and downhill”. The blueprint of the circuit is very narrow which leaves little room for error.

Danilo Petrucci recalls his personal reflection on the issue “The problem is that the track is very compact, it is the shortest track and we try to find a solution but it is too hard to move walls because we have to change the track. The walls are very close in some points. Like in turn 8”. There is no apprehension that the left-hand favoured layout makes it one of the most physically brutal. At Ducati’s debrief on Friday, Jorge Lorenzo invited us into his world to shed light on the mortal side of their job. Pointing to his shoulder with an expression of discomfort he explained “The lay down of the bike in the corner on the body is very demanding. Especially for the left side. The shoulder on the left, it is more demanding than the other side. It’s demanding because you start to compensate and you aren’t symmetrical”. The strain on the body is ruthless and no easier when you have 30 laps to complete.

Navigating around the service road on race day, I found myself in-between the main straight and turn 11. On my right you have Marc Marquez going full throttle down the main straight, he then grabs the brakes and fish tales before he slides into the first corner. You also have a small boy no older than 10, dressed to the nines in Valentino Rossi apparel. He turns to his father, pauses and says “Daddy, Daddy, it’s Valentino Rossi” and proceeds to clap in the one moment of silence with the biggest grin I have ever seen. On my left you have the notorious ‘Waterfall’ (Turn 11, a plunging right-hand corner that looks like the edge of a cliff when standing at the top). There is a very overwhelming consciousness that captivates you when watching the riders body hang off the side of their bike whilst entering a corner with high speed and completely disappearing down a very steep decline. You feel obliged to hold your breath until they pop out the bottom safely. These are just two among the many points that make this circuit and the race so special. There is no room for mistakes, no time to rest and it highlights an air of intensity (almost like a replication of the German population). You feel by the end of the 30 laps that whoever takes gold, silver and bronze (Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales) truly deserves it, no questions asked.

Wether it’s one man like Walter Kaaden, one circuit like Sachsenring or one idea like two stroke engines, the size does not amount to the impact it has on history. If you strip it all back the lifecycle of Sachsenring could some what represent the hardship and positive evolution of Germany’s past life. This circuit has been the assailant to many dangers and obstacles and like the country did, it is continually attempting to make changes and mature into one of the most intriguing of it’s kind. There is no doubt that the physical challenge and intricacy of this track makes it one of the best among it’s kind. If this is the year we have say goodbye, it’ll never be erased but in the slight chance of a miracle and we return to this very spot in 2019, we look forward to experiencing this spectacle all over again.

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