The Nürburgring, a racetrack where you as an car enthusiast must ever heard of. A circuit like no other and named by many as the most challenging track ever built. The track is not known for one particular race, like Monaco, Le Mans or Indianapolis. Yet, it has claimed its status through the years.
In the early twenties of the previous century the circuit is designed around the village Nürburg in the Eifel mountains of Germany. There is a big variety of races that are held on this track since 1927. Ranging from the Formula One to the 24h endurance races.
In the first years of its existence the circuit consisted of three parts, the Nordschleife (22,8 km) and the less known Südschleife (7,7 km) linked by the Zielschleife (start-finish). Year after year many races where held, and the track grew till one of the most famous tracks in the world. However, the safety was a big issue. The complete circuit gained more esteem every year. The conquerors of the different racing leagues were appointed as heroes when they won the notorious race on the Nürburgring. In those years, the lap records became faster and faster, year after year. The cars became faster and their drivers took more risks, with some fatal accidents as a result.
Because of the perills of the track, it got its nickname by that time called ‘The Green Hell’ The circuit had to become more safe. After diverse corners had been modified and serval chicanes were added, the track got a new contract to be part of the Formula One championship till 1976. That year the whole Formula One circus was settled in the Eifel mountains and the track was almost on the go to get a new contract for the following years. That race, that year one of the Formula One top drivers, Niki Lauda, crashed near fatal at the Nordschleife. As a result the track was considered too large and the safety of the drivers could not be guaranteed. So it was decided that Formula 1 was no longer organizing races on the Nürburgring.
Many years after that, the early eighties were used to design a completely new circuit where the possibility to organize races on the Nürburgring still exists. This new part of the Nürburgring, called GP-Strecke was finished in 1984 and is linked to the old Nordschleife to still have the possibility for organized races on both circuits.
As car enthusiasts we all know the Nürburgring as a track. As member of this generation you grew up with computer games. You know the Nürburgring is often the ultimate track on your driving sim. And when you’ve read automotive advertising, you will probably have heard about the Nürburgring too. Because every manufacturer uses this place as their performance benchmark. It is considered a real validator for car credibility. It is the car equivalent of an Oprah Winfrey endorsement. And as a sports car manufacturer you’re not good enough when you’re not in the top 10 of the quickest laps around the track.
There is a part of all of us who like to think that we are all ‘Ring Kings’. We all dream of a lap around the Ring. However, there is a possibility to drive around the track yourself. During on of the so called ‘Toursterfahrt’ days which are organised almost every day. Those days are a feast for all car enthusiast where you might see some very exclusive cars, but also perfectly modified cars to drive on the Ring. Everyone can put down their 24 Euro and take out whatever car you brought here and pits yourself on the track. Don’t even think you can handle this track within the first couple of laps. De distance of one single lap covers at least 21 kilometer! It’s so extensive, it embraces three complete villages and it has are more then 170 corners. And even when you know them all, do not think they are easy to take. Every single one requires a different approach. And even by that craziness, it even has more than 300 meters of elevation change.
Besides of the track the weather is one of the big stars. The weather conditions are part of the Nürburgring soul. When it doesn’t rain its not the Nürburgring. It rains almost every day, and it can come from the most unexpected corners. Because of the length of the track, the conditions are never the same. It is no wonder, even today, that the Nürburgring with its GP-Strecke and Nordschleife, challenge the world greatest drivers more than every other track in the world to drive a perfect lap.
To experience what this track offers, forget all driving sim games or stories like this one. Go watch it by yourself and visit the Nürburgring. In reality it is even better!
