Each year in Germany, two events take place at Ferropolis in Grafenhainichen. For the IRON DRIFT KING event, the city of Iron is equipped with a custom-made 14,000 square meter race track. It takes almost a whole week to construct the race track, complete with concrete walls and safety fences built to Formula 1 standards. This effort results in the creation of one of the most advanced drift tracks in the world, exclusively for this one weekend every year.
Ferropolis, known as “the city of iron,” is an open-air museum of huge mid-20th century industrial machines in Gräfenhainichen, a city between Wittenberg and Dessau, Germany. These machines can measure up to 30 meters high and 120 meters long, and weigh up to 1,980 tons.
The Iron Drift King is a high-octane motorsport event held at Ferropolis, Germany, where participants showcase their skills in precision driving and car control in competitive drifting competitions. The event attracts professional drifters, as well as enthusiasts who compete for the title of “Iron Drift King” in a thrilling display of automotive skill and performance.
The Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) Round 5 is a significant event in the European drift racing calendar held at Ferropolis, Germany. It features top European drivers competing in intense battles of skill and technique, drawing crowds of spectators and enthusiasts to witness the adrenaline-fueled competition. The event is a showcase of the best in European drift racing talent, with drivers vying for championship points and recognition on the international drifting stage.
Event took place 2023, August 17th until August 19th.
Stay
Places to stay near the event location Ferropolis in Germany are somewhat limited.
- Ferropolis Campground: With the festival ticket, you can stay on the campgrounds at the event location.
- Grafenhänichen: This area offers some smaller places to stay and is fairly close to the event location, although too far to walk. In 2022, I stayed here.
- Bitterfeld: This town has hotels available for accommodations. In 2023, I stayed here.
- Dessau: There are hotels available in Dessau for lodging.
- Wittenberg: Another option for lodging near Ferropolis.
Location
When arriving as a visitor, you need to exchange your paper tickets for credentials at the “Kasse” to carry with you. If you do not have a VIP parking ticket, this is the place where you can park your car. If you have a VIP ticket, you need to bring a thick pen and write the driver’s name, the number plate of your car, and your phone number on the parking card.
With the VIP Parking Card, you can drive all the way onto the drift Island right before the entrance.
Agenda
Thursday, August 17th, 2023
- Training (Day and Night)
Friday, August 18th, 2023
- Qualification DMEC
- Qualification IDK
- Top 32 IDK
- Top 16 IDK
- IDK award ceremony
- Aftertrack Party
Saturday, August 19th, 2023
- Practice DMEC
- Top 32 DMEC
- Top 16 DMEC
- DMEC award ceremony
- Aftertrack Party
Track
Track Specifications
- Track Type: Temporary Race Track
- Track Length: 504 Meters
- Curves: 4 including Entry
- Fastest Entry Speed: 132 km/h (James Deane, 2019)
- Clipping Zones: 7
- Track Designers: Mathew Steele, Max Heidrich
- Judging Method: Live Video Analysis
Weather
On Thursday, there was a storm towards the evening, and the training had to be stopped due to the rain. However, on Friday and Saturday, the weather was fantastic with clear skies, scorching sun, and very high temperatures.
Tickets
What to bring?
- Water, 1.5liter plastic bottle was allowed per person
- Hearing protection
- Rain protection
- Sun protection
- Something to sit (blanket, chair)
Place
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