The German government takes back the Nürburgring circuit

Since this kind of partnership between the government of Rheinland-Pfalz and the private company Nurburgring Automotive had begun, things had not gone well at the legendary German track. With a substantial investment made by its current concessionaire, which it has never been able to recover, the track was heading toward seeing its trackday days numbered, remaining only as a track for rent to manufacturers.

But beyond that, visitor numbers had fallen to intolerable levels, both for the private company that held the operating rights to the circuit and for the regional German authorities, who watched with concern as the track declined more and more. A sort of automotive Disneyland in decline.

And it’s not that Nürburgring Automotive lacked will; they built a complex of shops, hotels and entertainment near the circuit, but with poor judgment and an investment that never had its corresponding monetary return. The projections were very optimistic, too optimistic, to change the face of the Nürburgring through marketing and by introducing other activities. Those who come to the ring come to race, not to go sightseeing. For this reason, the concession had no choice but to raise the track rental price, which attracted even fewer people to the ring and put the races themselves at risk, such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

But this morning, representatives of the German government put their foot down and took the circuit back from Nürburgring Automotive. It is not yet known whether things will change or whether we will enter a stage of public administration, as in the past; either way, the company that takes charge of the Green Hell will need to bring a great deal of capital to straighten out a management that nearly drove this historic German circuit to closure.

As long as they don’t take away the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, let them do whatever is necessary to keep the track running.

Photo | Dench26