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FIA Approves Nordschleife Safety Improvements

FIA approves plan for Nürburgring Nordschleife track safety improvements…

Photo: Vincent Wouters

Photo: Vincent Wouters

The FIA has approved the proposed safety measures to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which will result in speed limits in selected parts of the circuit being lifted and the circuit being renewed by the worldwide motorsports governing body for another three years.

A total of seven safety improvements will be implemented, largely in the wake of the accident involving Jann Mardenborough’s Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 during a VLN round in March, which killed a spectator.

*Track section Döttinger Höhe / Antoniusbuche: Installation of an additional FIA fence to fence off federal road B258, which runs parallel to the track, alongside a 700-metre high-speed sector.

*Track section Hocheichen: Installation of a metallic fence behind the existing FIA fence to fence off the agricultural road running parallel to the track.

*Track section Quiddelbacher Höhe / Flugplatz: Renewal of 500 metres of track surface to smooth out bumps. Back in spring, this section saw the installation of a FIA fence and an additional metallic fence, as well as an extension of the tyre wall.

*Track section Schwedenkreuz: Creation of a restricted zone that is closed to spectators on the right-hand side of the track; installation of a FIA fence on the left-hand side.

*Track section Metzgesfeld: Installation of additional FIA fences and metallic fences to increase spectator protection and protection of the camping area on the right-hand side of the track; guardrails will be moved closer to the track.

*Track section Wippermann: Closing the gap in the metallic fence.

*Track section Stefan Bellof S: Installation of an additional FIA fence directly at the edge of the track behind the guardrails.

According to Nürburgring GmbH Managing Director Carsten Schumacher, track work will begin later this week, weather-permitting, and is set to be completed by the beginning of March, in time for the start of the VLN season.

“By implementing these seven measures to improve safety on the Nordschleife, we will achieve, subject to a final inspection by FIA and DMSB, the renewal of circuit approval by three years as well as the lifting of the speed limit introduced this year by the beginning of the 2016 season,” Schumacher said. “The unique character of the Nordschleife will be preserved.”

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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