Nürburgring Teams Group Slams Plans For New Series

The chairman of a group designed to protect the interests of teams competing at the Nürburgring has hit out at plans to create a second series of races based around the Nordschleife in direct competition to the well-established Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie.

Organizers of the Nürburgring 24 revealed on Tuesday their intention to run a mini-series of races around the Nordschleife in 2027, all run to the same regulations of the N24, with squads taking part in the category getting reduced entry fees and a guaranteed place on the N24 starting grid.

But the Interessengemeinschaft Langstrecke Nürburgring (ILN) group, which was founded by Olaf Manthey in 2015 and is now chaired by former long-serving N24 race director Martin Rosorius, says the plans “make no sense.”

This is not the first time that a rival series to the NLS has attempted to launch, and Rosorius said there is still no need for two competing categories.

“As was the case in 2023 during the dispute over the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NES) – which ultimately failed – the same principle still applies: two racing series competing in parallel for the limited dates available on the Nürburgring Nordschleife make no sense from the perspective of the teams and participants – in other words, the customers,” said Rosorius.

“Motorsport only works when we work together! We therefore appeal once again to all those involved: sort out your differences and finally pull in the same direction to find an economically sound and long-term viable solution for endurance racing on the Nordschleife.

“This also means that the ADAC and its three participating regional clubs must adopt a unified stance.”

Rosorius has instead called for constructive talks between all parties to determine the best way to move forward for the good of the sport and said that any changes should not be implemented until 2028 at the earliest to help teams with long-term planning.

“Looking ahead, the ILN would like to see clear organizational structures and designated points of contact for all endurance races at the Nürburgring,” added Rosorius.

He also stressed the need for the Nürburgring to be able to “capitalize” upon the increased interest from drivers, teams and fans in racing around the Nordschleife.

“Parochialism amongst the racing series and disputes stand in the way of this and jeopardize the NLS’s nearly 50-year-old tradition, which, in the ILN’s view, is worth continuing,” he concluded.

Alongside Rosorius, Manthey managing director Nicolas Raeder acts as deputy chair of the ILN.

The group’s executive committee also includes Alexander Böhm (Black Falcon), Daniel Sorg (Sorg Rennsport), Matthias Unger (Adrenalin Motorsport), Ron Moser (Scherer Motorsport), Sven Schnabl (Schnabl Engineering), Ralf Zensen (Racing Group Eifel) and Dirk Adorf (Drivers’ Working Group).