If you’ve been following automotive news recently you may have heard about the financial troubles plaguing Germany’s famous Nürburgring. Unfortunately, things just seem to be getting worse as Nürburgring GmbH officially filed for bankruptcy last week. We were contacted by Mike Frison who is a long time advocate of preserving this legendary temple of speed. If you are unaware of how the situation got to this point, Mike has put together a timeline that shows exactly how the Nürburgring came to be in its current troubles.
More importantly, Mike has also played a huge role in the Save the Ring, campaign which encourages motorsport fans from around the world to take action on the matter.
As of now the future of the Nürburgring is still uncertain, but here’s hoping the famous circuit will be around for years to come.
-Mike
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Let's be realistic here:
It's very unlikely the track will be destroyed, since car makers and the nearby towns that benefit from the tourism will fight to keep the track as it is. What it's more likely is that either:
A) The fees for doing a lap go way up OR
B) The track gets completely closed to tourists and ends up bought as a private testing ground for a car maker/joint between several car makers.
I've known about this for years now. It's sad to see such an iconic landmark take such a hit. I personally feel the government of Germany should help out. I'd imagine the ring plays a massive role in their economy. I just hope to be able to visit it before it's too late.
@Baljit Singh feeling the same
@ToyotaSupraMan I agree. They would make more money from renting it out for private testing than from the tourist driving. When somebody would wreck on track badly enough, they would shut the track down temporarily to get the mess cleaned up. This could last anywhere between one hour to at least half the day. Sure, they charge the person who wrecked a heavy fine to make up for lost business, but it doesn't make up for it completely.The track fees have gone up every year from when I was first there 3 years ago. It used to be only 20€ per lap, and last year, it was raised to 26€ per lap. The price increase didn't keep very many drivers away, though.
To bad F1 cant run here anymore, If it could that would brind a lot of money to the RING.
Anyone know where you can find those "Save the Ring" decals? I'd love to get one. I always wanted to visit the ring since I was a kid. I'm really hoping it'll still be around when I have the chance.
I'm waiting to see what happens with this: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/23/ecclestone-says-he-will-do-everything-to-save-ring/
If the Nurburgring goes away, I won't be able to check off "drive a lap around the Nurburgring" from my bucket list!
It's tough to say who should rescue the 'Ring. If a bunch of corporations and sponsors buy it out, it loses it's ambiguity. If the government turns it into a landmark or a public park, there's the issue of using taxes to maintain and operate it. Honestly, considering it's size and history, it's amazing it's lasted this long. Good luck!
@FP2 how is this going to help them - they are in debt on the facilities and management - eccelstone will make far more money this way as he gets all royalties and it will do nothing to overcome there current debt. I think if the government allows the debt to be written down someone will buy it and hopefully demolish the buildings and other areas that have lead to the shortfall. They could also qualify for grants by using some of the property for a solar array
Well F1 raced there last year and are going back next year as its on rotation with Hockenheim .
Well F1 raced there last year and are going back next year as its on rotation with Hockenheim .
Well F1 raced there last year and are going back next year as its on rotation with Hockenheim .
Well F1 raced there last year and are going back next year as its on rotation with Hockenheim .
@RLee90 This brings up a good point but we must ask why they have done the opposite of that for the last four years. As soon as the Nuroland was done they jacked the lapping fee up for the public and went crazy high for the auto makers. So in turn the ring has not been able to make as much. I am really starting to thing getting the place shut down was the goal to start with. That way they can try to build condos around the old circuit or some crap.
@RLee90 This brings up a good point but we must ask why they have done the opposite of that for the last four years. As soon as the Nuroland was done they jacked the lapping fee up for the public and went crazy high for the auto makers. So in turn the ring has not been able to make as much. I am really starting to thing getting the place shut down was the goal to start with. That way they can try to build condos around the old circuit or some crap.
@RLee90 This brings up a good point but we must ask why they have done the opposite of that for the last four years. As soon as the Nuroland was done they jacked the lapping fee up for the public and went crazy high for the auto makers. So in turn the ring has not been able to make as much. I am really starting to thing getting the place shut down was the goal to start with. That way they can try to build condos around the old circuit or some crap.
@RLee90 This brings up a good point but we must ask why they have done the opposite of that for the last four years. As soon as the Nuroland was done they jacked the lapping fee up for the public and went crazy high for the auto makers. So in turn the ring has not been able to make as much. I am really starting to thing getting the place shut down was the goal to start with. That way they can try to build condos around the old circuit or some crap.
Matt F1 does race there - there is a 3.2 mile F1 circuit there built in 84 you can see on goggle maps - However ticket sales dont support the f1 hosting fee so it's up to local governments to offset it with tax credits and other incentives. With bernie the goblin hes trying to say he's helping out the track by waiving that fee but in the end he stands to make much more money by claiming all profits.
Matt F1 does race there - there is a 3.2 mile F1 circuit there built in 84 you can see on goggle maps - However ticket sales dont support the f1 hosting fee so it's up to local governments to offset it with tax credits and other incentives. With bernie the goblin hes trying to say he's helping out the track by waiving that fee but in the end he stands to make much more money by claiming all profits.
Matt F1 does race there - there is a 3.2 mile F1 circuit there built in 84 you can see on goggle maps - However ticket sales dont support the f1 hosting fee so it's up to local governments to offset it with tax credits and other incentives. With bernie the goblin hes trying to say he's helping out the track by waiving that fee but in the end he stands to make much more money by claiming all profits.
Matt F1 does race there - there is a 3.2 mile F1 circuit there built in 84 you can see on goggle maps - However ticket sales dont support the f1 hosting fee so it's up to local governments to offset it with tax credits and other incentives. With bernie the goblin hes trying to say he's helping out the track by waiving that fee but in the end he stands to make much more money by claiming all profits.
@motorness Thats kinda what I got out of the Bernie statement.
@motorness Thats kinda what I got out of the Bernie statement.
@motorness Thats kinda what I got out of the Bernie statement.
@motorness Thats kinda what I got out of the Bernie statement.
Volkswagen. Stop buying other car companies and save your landmark. I wish I could buy it. How much does it cost to buy and maintain the Ring btw?
Volkswagen. Stop buying other car companies and save your landmark. I wish I could buy it. How much does it cost to buy and maintain the Ring btw?
Volkswagen. Stop buying other car companies and save your landmark. I wish I could buy it. How much does it cost to buy and maintain the Ring btw?
Volkswagen. Stop buying other car companies and save your landmark. I wish I could buy it. How much does it cost to buy and maintain the Ring btw?
Honestly what are you afraid of?
Nurburgring GmBH goes bunkrupt. It sells it's property to cover, at least partially, the debts. Someone buys the Ring (probably without additional facilities as the amusement park etc.) and runs it again. The wheel spins.
There is totally no sense in keeping the Ring closed.
@LouisYio dude that is exactly what I was just thinking!!! WE MUST SAVE IT
@LouisYio dude that is exactly what I was just thinking!!! WE MUST SAVE IT
James May will be ecstatic if it gets shut down. Irwindale was in the same boat just earlier this year, it probably wont be going away.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/27/ecclestone-may-buy-nurburgring-outright/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/27/ecclestone-may-buy-nurburgring-outright/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/27/ecclestone-may-buy-nurburgring-outright/