©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
By Peter Burke
Things are well underway at the future Lausitzring facility in Germany, to be located south of Berlin
and east of Dresden. The financing and legal steps of the multi-purpose facility are in their
final stages, with the first CART race planned for September or October in the year 2000.
The layout of the facility includes a 2.0 mile tri-oval for CART, a road course on the infield of the oval that is built to F1 specifications, plus a external large high speed oval for testing purposes of German car manufacturers. The two race tracks are built on the grounds of a former open pit coal mine. Earth moved in former mining operations will be used to build "grandstands" with seating for 120,000 people. All 120,000 seats will be able to see the entire track layout (including the F1 track, giving this facility an advantage over Hockenheim or the Nürburgring).
For the CART event, the oval will provide a layout that is unlike any currently on the schedule of the FedEx Championship Series. It is a large 2.0 mile (3.2 km) tri-oval with relatively low banking. Compared to Pocono Raceway, which is currently on the Winston Cup schedule, also a large tri-oval, the corner radius is much larger for smoother and wider turns. The Lausitzring oval turns are banked at 5.7 degrees (Turn 1 and 3), and at 5.1 degrees (turn 2). Compare that to the California Speedway at Fontana with it's 11 degree banking, and you'll realize that this track may require at least lifting into the corners when driven with a current Champ Car.
In spite of the high speeds expected on a 2 mile oval, the radius of the turns is wide enough to be considered 'safe' in the sense of how oval layouts have performed in recent years. Rio has very tight corners and for increased safety special tire barriers were implemented in the impact areas of the turns. For similar reasons, Homestead was reshaped from it's former four tight corners to two sweeping corners, making it 'safer' in the view of the drivers by reducing the potential impact angle. At the Lausitzring oval, wide turns and low banking should force Champ Cars to run the track at speeds lower than currently achieved at Michigan or Fontana. But looking at the high speeds achieved in Homestead and Japan, we will have to wait for the real test to see what the true character of this facility will be.
To track the progress of the facility, visit the official web site at
www.lausitzring.com (warning - slow site, in
German only). SpeedCenter will track the progress in Germany and report important milestones.
