GT3 Ban Lifted at Nurburgring, New Safety Measures Announced

The DMSB has announced safety measures that will allow GT3 cars to compete at the Nurburgring Nordschleife again, following last month’s accident that killed a spectator.

A round table meeting with drivers, representatives of the various manufacturers and race organizers as well as the federation’s own safety and technical experts was held today in Germany.

“All the participants agreed that everything had to be done to avoid accidents in which spectators could be harmed,” said DMSB chairman Hans-Joachim Stuck.

“Now, we have decided to implement measures to allow these cars to race again, albeit with certain restrictions.

“At the same time, the DMSB will install an expert commission to search for mid-term solutions that can be implemented after the season.

“These could include comprehensive changes in the regulations as well as possible construction work on the track.”

In order to make it possible for the top cars to compete in the VLN series and the Nurburgring 24, the following measures are planned – with immediate effect:

***Cars from the top classes will be slowed down by a 5 percent reduction in engine power.

***In order to prevent cars from getting airborne, the speed at critical locations Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz and Antoniusbuche will be reduced.

***This will be achieved by a speed limit of 200 km/h (250 km/h on the ‘Döttinger Höhe’ straight) a few hundred meters before these parts of the track.

***Speed limits are enforced by GPS with heavy fines in place for infringements. Once cars have passed the speed limit zone, acceleration will be allowed again.

***At Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz, Metzgesfeld and Pflanzgarten, access to certain spectator zones will be limited until reconstruction work has been completed to allow full access again.

***The temporary ban that was imposed on cars from the classes SP7, SP8, SP8T, SP9, SP-Pro, SP-X, Cup-2, the H4 GT classes, E1-XP1, E1-XP2 and E1-XP Hybrid on the Nordschleife in DMSB-approved events has been lifted.

“With these measures that were accepted, the events planned on the Nordschleife for the upcoming weeks can be held,” said Stuck.

“At the same time, DMSB will closely watch the racing activities and, with a commission of experts, search for appropriate measures to ensure safe and fair motorsport action on the Nordschleife in years to come.”