SachsenRing Ding Ding, Classic Legends Race Pictures

I rode down to the famous Sachsenring racetrack from the Baltic Sea (500km) to see the Classic Legends Races. It was a three day event featuring many former World Champions and a LOT of two strokes! After I set up my tent, I rode into town for supplies and ended up with these fine pork steaks marinated in dark beer, a giant loaf of bread, a fine wine and beer, lots and lots of beer :)

The following morning I walked up to the racetrack and saw these Suzukis at the big Suzuki tent.

Followed by one of many Maico roadracers. Don't see any of these where I live!

Awesome MZ racers were everywhere. MZ's Dr. Walter Kaaden pioneered the modern high output two stroke after WWII and they led the field until Suzuki stole their speed secrets in a cold war incident involving the defection to the West by MZ rider Ernst Degner.

A five cylinder super charged DKW two stroke racer, more on these later!

Starting up an IFA on a pair of rollers, the sound and the smoke were thrilling!

A pair of sweet 50cc Van Veen Kreidler racers, they were razor thin!

Not limited to motorcycles, races were held for semi-stock and super-modified 600cc two cylinder, two cycle East German Trabant autos. They were screaming!

MZ road racer.

On one side, the bulge in the fairing covers a huge magneto.

On the other side, the carburetor and the rotary valve.

Note "backwards" facing cylinder.

See many Maico roadrace fairings for sale?

A whole tent full of rare Konig flat-four two strokes. Rotary valve on top, 500cc. Special gearbox resides inside of a Norton housing. More info here:

http://www.odd-bike.com/2013/04/konig-500-gp-outboard-powered-underdog.html

Another DKW "five cylinder" supercharged two stroke. Lovingly restored by AUDI and the ADAC motor club. This one is 500ccs. Here's how it works. There are two spark plugs and two carburetors, each which serve one combustion chamber having two pistons. It's like a pair of PUCH twingles side by side. And the fifth cylinder? It's 100mm in diameter! Opposed to the other cylinders, it's upside down underneath the motor and pumps air to supercharge the engine.

If you ever heard one of these run, it would be the LAST thing you ever heard! Note people in the background covering their ears in this video.

Here they come and there they go! Former World Champions pilot their screaming 500cc two stroke GP bikes around the harrowing horseshoe bend called the "Omega". They include Phil Read, Jim Redman, Wayne Gardner, Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz.

Autograph time! Eight time World Champion Phil Read MBE in the white hat.

And six time World Champion Jim Redman MBE sign autographs for the appreciative fans.

I bought Phil Read's book and he signed it for me:)

The Sachsenring has to be one of the finest facilities in the world and the German hospitality is simply extraordinary. I will finish this post the way I started it, with a picture of food!
Now, for racetrack fare, this is just fantastic. Delicious slow cooked pork meat with sauerkraut and potatoes compared to the corn dog and Fritos you might get in the US. AND a world class beer!

Thank you for viewing my post :)

Looks like a great time

Superb!!!

Gerry, awesome photos!!!! I am surprised though at the use of open, megaphone type exhaust as used on the 5 cylinder 2 stroke MZ. It was a German engineer I believe back in the 50's who developed the expansion chamber designed to greatly increase the 2-stroke's power output. The math says up to 15 PSI supercharging effects can be had through expansion chamber design (2 atmospheres, therefore 3 times the output of normal aspiration). Do you know what the mechanical boost pressures are with the driven supercharger?

Gordon

More info here. The DKW predated the expansion chamber which was developed by MZ (formerly DKW) if that makes any sense :) Of course, you can't supercharge a conventional two stroke.

http://www.odd-bike.com/2014/02/dkw-supercharged-two-strokes-force-fed.html

I think I need to expand my trials problem, ha ha!

We can help you with that!

Gerry, I enjoyed that link - yes all of this was long before the expansion chamber designs were developed. I didn't realize the 5 cylinder was that old.
I recognize too that Schnurle is used to describe "looper" induction design versus crossflow that we find in our early outboard engines - very interesting article.

Gordon

Awesome photo's.

Wow, fantastic event! Thanks for posting such great photos!

Very very nice. Fantastic gathering and wonderful pictures!

Thank you for your supportive comments, Scooter, Jim and Flei! I have posted additional pictures in the Thumpers and Airheads forums if you are interested.