Hagen

Hagen, with approximately 190,000 residents at the southeastern edge of the Ruhr region and known as the "Gateway to the Sauerland," offers motorsport enthusiasts a unique position between industrial Ruhr region and the winding mountain roads of the Sauerland. The Nürburgring is approximately 145-155 km southwest, translating to about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours of driving via A45 and A61. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium is approximately 140-150 km west, reachable in about 1.5 to 2 hours via A1 and E40. This favorable geographic position, combined with the local presence of one of Germany's oldest karting tracks, makes Hagen a special location for motorsport enthusiasts of all disciplines.

Hagen's outstanding motorsport jewel is Motodrom Hagen, one of Germany's oldest permanent karting tracks, opened in 1963. The 865-meter track with 15 corners has hosted countless kart races over six decades, including multiple international championship races. The track is technically demanding with a mix of fast and slow corners, elevation changes, and variable track conditions depending on season and weather. The Motodrom offers both recreational driving for casual drivers and serious championship races for licensed kart racers. Prices for recreational driving start at approximately 20-25 euros for 10 minutes, while training sessions for club sportsmen and license holders are available at more affordable hourly rates. The facility has trained several generations of kart drivers, some of whom later progressed to higher motorsport categories.

ADAC uses Motodrom Hagen extensively for its youth development programs. The ADAC KartKids Racing School is based here and teaches young drivers between 8 and 15 years the basics of race track driving. The program is organized jointly by ADAC Westfalen and ADAC Nordrhein and offers various course levels: Schnupperkurs for absolute beginners, Grundkurs for participants with initial experience, and Intensivkurs for advanced youth drivers. Courses include track familiarization, learning the ideal line, start practice in small groups, and kart technology training. These structured programs have made Hagen a center of motorsport youth development in North Rhine-Westphalia. Costs for a basic course are approximately 150-200 euros per participant.

Hagener Automobil-Club (HAC 1905 e.V.) im ADAC is one of the region's most traditional motorsport clubs. Founded in 1905, the club looks back on over 115 years of history. HAC participates in circuit races as part of ADAC Kart-Youngster Cup, WAKC, and ADAC Kart-Masters in various classes. The club also organizes the Sauerland Cup and other events at Motodrom Hagen. In addition to kart activities, HAC offers automobile slalom events, vintage car outings, and traffic safety training. Participation fees for slalom events are 60-80 euros per day. The club is closely networked with the local motorsport community and offers beginners a structured way to enter motorsport.

For Nürburgring track days, Hagen drivers have all classic options available. Public tourist driving sessions on the 20.8 km Nordschleife cost 30 euros per lap or approximately 110 euros for a 4-lap card. The track is open from March to November on most evenings and weekends, weather permitting. The relatively short journey from Hagen makes spontaneous visits quite feasible. For structured track days, providers like RSRNurburg, Pistenclub, or Nordschleife Competence Center are recommended, offering events with division into driver groups by experience level, track briefings by instructors, and timing. A full track day costs between 300-600 euros. The GP circuit (5.1 km) is a less intimidating alternative for beginners. Many Hagen enthusiasts combine Nürburgring visits with drives through the Eifel, a scenically attractive region with its own winding roads.

Spa-Francorchamps is accessible from Hagen at similar distance as the Nürburgring. Organized track days at Spa are offered by various providers including RSR, Apex Trackdays, and Circuit Days. Costs typically range between 350-700 euros for a day. Spa is famous for its spectacular 7 km track through the Ardennes, with legendary corners like Eau Rouge/Raidillon, the fast Kemmel Straight, and technical sections around Pouhon and Stavelot. The more modern safety infrastructure with generous runoff areas makes Spa particularly attractive for less experienced drivers. Many Hagen residents combine Spa visits with weekend trips to the Belgian Ardennes, a region with excellent roads for spirited driving and rich World War II history.

Hagen's position as "Gateway to the Sauerland" is particularly valuable for motorsport enthusiasts. The Sauerland, a mountainous region south of the city, offers a network of winding country roads extremely popular with motorcyclists and convertible enthusiasts. Routes between Hagen and Winterberg, particularly the B 54, B 229, and mountain roads around Willingen, Winterberg, and Schmallenberg, offer changing elevation profiles, tight serpentines, and spectacular views. These roads are technically demanding and require concentration, but offer an authentic driving experience. HAC regularly organizes touring car excursions to the Sauerland, often with stops at scenic locations like Biggesee or Hennesee reservoirs. On summer weekends, popular routes are well-trafficked with motorcycles and sports cars – police conduct increased checks as some sections are accident hotspots.

The Hagen automotive enthusiast scene is diversely influenced by the location between Ruhr region and Sauerland. Porsche Club Westfalen has active members in Hagen with regular meetings and outings both to the Sauerland and to track days. BMW Club Deutschland Westfalen organizes regular gatherings and joint events. Youngtimer enthusiasts will find an engaged community in the region maintaining classic vehicles from the 1970s through 1990s. These clubs offer not only social networking but often group rates for track days and access to driving tips for local Sauerland routes. Motodrom Hagen occasionally also serves as a meeting point for automobile clubs who appreciate the historic karting track as cultural heritage of the region.

Hagen has several automotive workshops offering general maintenance, repair, and also specialized motorsport preparation. The city's industrial past and proximity to the Sauerland have created a culture of craftsmanship quality. Costs for a complete track day inspection – including brake check, suspension review, fluids, tires, and safety equipment – typically range between 200-400 euros, depending on vehicle type. Some workshops have experience with kart engines and chassis, due to the Motodrom's long presence in the city. Hagen is in many ways a microcosm of German motorsport culture: traditional institutions like the Motodrom and HAC, access to world-class racing circuits, enthusiastic driving roads in the Sauerland, and a dedicated community supporting both youth development and established motorsport.