Nürburgring Round Postponed as Circuit Used for Flood Relief

The ADAC GT Masters round at the Nürburgring has been postponed due to the German circuit functioning as a base for disaster relief efforts after last week’s severe flooding in the surrounding area.

GT Masters was due to stage its fourth event of the season at the Nürburgring on August 7-8 but is now working to find an alternative date.

Several towns and villages near the Nürburgring were impacted by last week’s natural disaster that caused more than 160 deaths in Germany and 37 in neighboring Belgium, as of July 22.

The Nürburgring has been established as a headquarters for emergency services such as the armed forces, the police and the fire brigade to coordinate their relief efforts until Aug. 8 at the earliest.

This has left the venue unable to host racing events, including GT Masters and the FIA World Rallycross Championship round that was due to take place on July 31-Aug.

“The images from the Eifel and the surrounding regions have shocked us all,” said Lars Soutschka, member of the ADAC executive board.

“Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with those affected, and our respect goes to the region’s rescue services, to whom everyone involved in motorsport has a very special relationship.

“Since last weekend, the ADAC Air Rescue, ADAC road patrols and many volunteers from the regional and local ADAC clubs have been providing support. The Nürburgring and its team are making an important contribution to the aid effort in the region.

“We are now working together to try to find an alternative date for the ADAC GT Masters.”

Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate Malu Dreyer commented: “The Nürburgring has become an unprecedented place of help and solidarity in this flood disaster.

“Currently, the organizations are using more than 60,000 square meters of the Nürburgring grounds. This includes the paddock as well as adjacent event areas and parking spaces.”

While the Nürburgring has cleared its motorsport schedule for the next couple of weeks, Spa-Francorchamps will be back to hosting races this weekend.

Some of the roads surrounding the Belgian Grand Prix venue were damaged in the flooding, however the Intelligent Money British GT Championship’s annual overseas round will be going ahead behind closed doors with a 22- car field.

The TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa is then due to take place the following weekend with spectators in attendance.