Nordschleife Speed Limits to be Lifted; Further Safety Improvements

Photo: Gruppe C GmbH

Further safety improvements are set to be made to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which will result in the elimination of speed limits that were enforced during this year’s Nürburgring 24.

German motoring governing bodies DMSB and ADAC have approved plans presented by Capricorn Nürburgring GmbH, owners of the historic German circuit, which will see new catch-fencing, guardrails and a restricted zone for spectators, all aimed to increase safety.

The latest round of safety improvements were triggered by a deadly accident in the opening VLN round in March, when Jann Mardenborough’s Nissan GT-R GT3 NISMO caught air at Flugplatz and ended up in a spectator zone, killing one person.

“Safety on the Nordschleife during races, but also during test drives of the industry and during tourist ride sessions, is our highest priority,” said Carsten Schumacher, managing director of operations.

“Together with all those involved, we responded to the accident by carrying out a detailed analysis of the situation and compiling targeted measures to further increase active and passive safety, and especially the safety of spectators along the Nordschleife.”

The proposal calls for the high-speed Schwedenkreuz area to be restricted to spectators, along with the installation of FIA safety fences along Döttinger Höhe and other parts of the 16-mile, 170-turn circuit.

Additionally, the Fluglatz section will be repaved, in order to eliminate a number of bumps that had caused cars to catch air in recent years.

Track work is expected to begin in November and will continue until the beginning of the 2016 season, with a total of 16 areas of improvements planned.

“All parties want to preserve the Nordschleife and its uniqueness.” said DMSB President Hans-Joachim Stuck. “However, we all know that we will have to improve safety.

“To this end, the Nürburgring as track operator has worked hard to devise a set of effective measures in great detail which met with broad approval at this round table.”

Circuit officials will now submit the planned safety measures to the DMSB, which will in turn forward to the FIA for final approval.

John Dagys

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