The Schleizer Dreieck (German for Schleizer
Triangle) is the oldest street circuit in Germany. In 1922 engineer
Karl Slevogt discovered that the triangular connection of three
roads South of the city of Schleiz was a very good site to test
sport scars. The first event at the Schleizer Dreieck was an fuel
economic contest in 1923. The first race was for motorcycles in
1924. The first car race was held in 1933 and the last pre war race
was in 1937.
The circuit was 7,631 km (4.769 Miles) long and
was driven anti clockwise with an elevation of 60 metres. The
Schleizer Dreieck was comparable to Spa-Francorchamps. Just like Spa
the corners where fast and fluent, except the connection corners,
and in combination with the elevations it was one of the most
beautiful circuits in Germany. In May 1988 a shorter version was
used to cut off a section trough the city of Schleiz which brought
the length back to 6,805 km (4.253 Miles).
After World War two Schleiz became a city in the
communist DDR. Despite of that, in 1948 some race enthousiast
organised motorcycle races at the circuit. Until 1955 it was a pure
East German buisiness. But since 1956 drivers from other countries
came to Schleiz which was a huge boost for the popularity of the
races. The first post war car races at the Schleizer Dreieck where
held in 1961. As a result of the cold war West German drivers where
not allowed to race in the DDR since 1962 and since the early
seventies foreign drivers came only from Socialist neighbour
countries. Finally in 1989, after the fall of the communism, Western
drivers where allowed to race again at the Schleizer Dreieck.
In 1991, the both Germanys are reunited than, the
circuit was found no longer suitable for car racing. In 1992 gravel
traps where created to improve the safety of the circuit and a
chicane was added in 1993. As a result of this sidecar races where
returned to the circuit in 1994.
But at the end of 2002 the circuit lost the
license for motorcycle races because of the lack of safety. After
that there have been some car races but it was clear that this type
of circuit could not suffice modern safety standards. In 2003 works
started which should change the track dramatically!
They built a new connection halfway the original
track with a new start/finish area. The result was a circuit from
just 3,805 km (2.378 Miles). By contrast to the old circuit, the new
one had a "stop and go character". The new circuit was opened on
August the 21st 2004 which was the end of the era of the old
Schleizer Dreieck.
Discuss this circuit at the forum.
