Lausitzring to cease all motorsports activities after 2017

[Dylan]

http://racingcircuits.info/pro/news/2017/07/18/lausitzring-will-shut-to-racing-at-season’s-end/#.WW6TdoTyvIU

From the article: "Germany's Eurospeedway Lausitz is set to close to racing after being bought by DEKRA, which plans to convert the facility into Europe's largest automotive testing facility. The vehicle inspection and testing firm is investing more than 30 million euros to create a research centre for driverless vehicle technology."

"The Lausitzring opened in 2000 on the site of a former coal mine and is the only oval superspeedway in mainland Europe. Over the years it has hosted the DTM, World Superbikes, ADAC GT Masters, A1 Grand Prix and, most famously, the Champ Car World Series. It was the scene of Alex Zanardi's horrific accident in 2001 and his triumphant return to the cockpit in 2003, when he ran 13 laps in a modified car to complete the distance he was denied by his accident."

Edit: Nevermind.
http://racingcircuits.info/pro/news...re-at-the-lausitzring-after-all/#.WXIAPoUpDYU

 

[TheElbows]

Shame to see it go, but not a huge surprise. Tough to stay in business with a track now days, particular with more and more expectations from the events/series/etc.

 

[EngieDiesel]

At least it's still being used for some sort of car-related things, instead of just demolished and turned into a housing development like other racetracks in the past.

 

[psychoazubi]

The DTM will most probably still drive there. DEKRA is a long term partner of the DTM. They both want to continue DTM races on the Lausitzring, only problem now is that DEKRA will not act as a host of the event, so they have to find someone else. Rumors say it's the ADAC, which was already involved in recent years. Plus, ADAC GT Masters has been driving with DTM this year.

 

[Dylan]

Never mind.
http://racingcircuits.info/pro/news...re-at-the-lausitzring-after-all/#.WXIAPoUpDYU

"The new owners of the Lausitzring have clarified that the door is still firmly open for motorsport events once their takeover is completed in November."