Lausitzring GP Circuit
The Lausitzring, also known as EuroSpeedway Lausitz, is a motorsport complex located in Klettwitz, Germany, near the Polish and Chezch borders, at 134 km (83 miles) south of Berlin. The complex opened in 2000 and currently includes several raceways like the NASCAR-Style tri-oval track (unique in continental Europe), the GP Circuit, or the Short Course, among several other configurations. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, DTM, is the main competition regularly hosted at the Lausitzring nowadays, which has also hosted several editions of the Superbike World Championship in the past. The climate at the circuit location is continental, with considerable rainfall throughout the year and below freezing temperature in winter.
There are several inner road course configurations for racing inside the tri-oval superspeedway of the Lausitzring. The Grand Prix Circuit is a 2.7-mile (4.34-km), 14-turn layout sharing part of the NASCAR-style speedway. The 2.11-mile (3.39-km) Short Course is a reduced version of the GP Circuit with 12 turns and the same average speed of 83 mph (133 km/h). The racing dynamic in the superspeedway segments is similar to that of American tracks like Pocono Raceway, where the high banking favors overtaking because of the slingshot effect.
The Lausitzring GP Circuit represents the facility's primary road racing configuration, stretching 4.35 kilometers through 14 turns that wind through the infield of Europe's only NASCAR-style tri-oval. Established when the complex opened in 2000, this counterclockwise layout immediately attracted DTM, which has utilized the circuit annually since 2001, establishing Lausitzring as a cornerstone venue for German touring car racing. The configuration blends high-speed commitment with technical precision—long acceleration zones reward powerful engines while tight infield sections demand chassis balance and driver finesse. Turn 1's evolution exemplifies the circuit's adaptation to racing demands: originally a sweeping entry favoring momentum, organizers tightened the corner into a hairpin for 2007 DTM competition, creating overtaking opportunities while reducing first-lap incidents that previously plagued race starts. The 4,350-meter layout generates diverse tactical challenges across its 14-corner sequence. Average lap times around 1:25-1:30 at professional levels demand sustained concentration as the circuit's rhythm punishes mistakes with limited run-off in several sections. Modern asphalt provides consistent grip year-round, though Brandenburg's continental climate creates track temperature variations affecting tire performance across spring and autumn racing seasons.
