More than 20,000 spectators are expected when fans of historic racing motorcycles meet at the "ADAC Sachsenring Classic" in Hohenstein-Ernstthal from June 10 to 12, 2016. Audi Tradition will be presenting a very special two-wheeler from the company's more than 100-year history - a DKW UL 500 from 1937 - as part of the largest German event of its kind.
Highlight for motorcycle fans
For motorcycle fans, the appearance of the DKW UL 500 is probably one of the highlights of this year's "ADAC Sachsenring Classic". Hohenstein-Ernstthal near Chemnitz was the "home track" of the once very successful motorcycle brand DKW; it symbolizes one of the four rings in the Audi brand logo. In the mid-1930s, the largest motorcycle factory in the world was located at the nearby DKW site in Zschopau. The brand is still remembered there today, as are the victories of the former DKW racing drivers, including Ewald Kluge, Kurt Mansfeld, H. P. Müller and Wilhelm Herz.
The DKW UL 500 was the biggest racing machine that DKW ever sent out onto the tracks. Its charge-pump twin-cylinder engine revved to 5,000 rpm with 48 hp and reached 190 kilometers per hour. In 1937, the UL 500 won three rounds of the German Championship. None of the original machines have survived to this day. Audi Tradition started the complete reconstruction of the machine in collaboration with a restoration expert. After four years of detailed work, the historic model is now making its debut at the Sachsenring. The DKW UL 500 will be driven by two-time motorcycle vice world champion Ralf Waldmann. Audi Tradition's appearance at the "ADAC Sachsenring Classic" will be complemented by another motorcycle - the very rare NSU SSR 500 from 1931, also known as the Bullus NSU.
Two witnesses to Audi motorsport history
In addition to motorcycles, historic racing cars also compete in special races at the Sachsenring. This year, Audi Tradition is sending two special witnesses to Audi motorsport history into the race.
In 1990, Hans-Joachim Stuck finished second overall in the American IMSA racing series in the Audi 90 quattro IMSA-GTO with seven individual victories. After 26 years, Stuck is back in his former race car at the Sachsenring. Frank Biela is also delving into his past. The racing driver won the German Touring Car Championship for Audi in 1991 and also went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in the course of his Audi career. The man from Neuss will be driving an Audi V8 quattro DTM from 1990 at the Sachsenring.
