Sachsenring circuit celebrates 85th anniversary

Published on 06 Jul 2012 by Toni M.

To celebrate the 85th Anninversary of the Sachsenring circuit (the track has just been confirmed on the MotoGP calendar until the end of 2016) there was a special event held yesterday afternoon and for the occasion fifty historical bikes were on display and the fans were also treated to a small parade lap on the short straight by Cal Crutchlow on his YZR-M1 who rode alongside Phil Read (7 World titles in three different classes) on his 1968 250cc Yamaha while Stefan Bradl rode his bike alongside his father Helmut, who got a big suprise as LCR team brought in the HB Honda NSR 250cc that he used to ride.

They also eschanged bikes and Crutchlow and the younger Bradl got a brief taste of how old school bikes were.

Also present were racing legends Angel Nieto (12+1 World championship titles), Jim Redman (four titles between the 250 and 350cc classes) and Anton Mang (the last World champion from Germany before Stefan Bradl’s Moto2 title in 2011)

Stefan Bradl said, “Doubtless this weekend will be very special for me. My family, my friends and my fans will be there to support me and this makes me more motivated ahead the race. I am looking forward to this weekend because the crowd will be unbelievable. The track is a bit too small for a MotoGP bike, but there are some good parts especially the last one. After the last race in Assen we know we are capable to fight with the second group and this remains our target for the next races including Sachsenring.”

While father Helmut commented, “I think that my biggest success is that I still fit my leather after 21 years. It was a special feeling to be on the grid next to my son and I want to thank the Team, especially Lucio, for this incredible surprise”.