28.07.2026
August: Motorsport Month: Over the coming weeks, one top-class racing event after another will take place at the Nürburgring. The highlights will be the DTM races (14–16 August) and the Oldtimer Grand Prix (7–9 August). But the GT World Challenge (28–30 August) and the 6-hour race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (1 August) are also definitely worth a trip to the Eifel. Here are the Nürburgring highlights for August: Two extra hours in the Green Hell: the NLS 6-hour race | 1 August 2026An extra dose of racing on the Nordschleife: the traditional 6-hour race of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is coming up. But the seventh NLS round of the year offers far more than just two extra hours of racing. Fans can look forward to a long race day in August with a well-filled starting grid. Even after the 24-hour race, the organisers were recently delighted with high entry numbers, so we can expect well over 100 racing cars. These include lightning-fast GT cars, numerous production-based touring cars and an ever-increasing number of vehicles running on alternative fuels. For 25 euros (children under 14 free), fans gain access to the grandstands, the paddock and even the pit walk, as well as the starting grid before the race. Anyone wishing to enjoy an endurance race as an exclusive experience can opt for the VIP ticket for 295 euros, which includes a guided bus tour of the Nordschleife, a VIP shuttle to the circuit, and delicious food and drinks. There is also the ‘RACE & LUNCH’ ticket, available for 210 euros. Dream cars of yesteryear: 53rd BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix | 7 to 9 August 2026Year after year, it’s Germany’s most beautiful automotive journey through time – and 2026 is no exception, with a star-studded line-up. On the second weekend in August, the 53rd BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix will become a reunion of motorsport legends. Racing greats such as Uwe Alzen, Christian Danner and Leopold, Prince of Bavaria, will be getting behind the wheel once again. Meanwhile, on the tarmac of the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit, a lightning-fast and thunderously loud museum of motorsport awaits: the line-up ranges from Group 5 monsters such as the fiery Ford Capri Turbo, through timeless rarities like the Porsche 550 A Spyder and Aston Martin DB4 GT, to Formula cars from various eras. Cars from the DTM – including the 2012 BMW championship-winning car – bridge the gap to the more recent past. The Saturday evening race featuring historic sports cars is traditionally a highlight. Fans can experience this feast for the eyes and ears from as little as 35 euros – including access to the paddock; the full weekend can be booked from 89 euros. Children and young people up to the age of 17 go free. The VIP packages, starting at 450 euros, promise first-class comfort in a historic setting. Big names, thrilling racing: DTM at the Nürburgring | 14 to 16 August 2026 Glock, Grello or 24-hour winner Maro Engel: in mid-August, the big names in German motorsport will return to the Nürburgring. At stake is the DTM crown – for more than 40 years, THE racing series in our country. Their arena? The Nürburgring’s sprint circuit: 3.629 kilometres – short, tight and renowned for lap-after-lap battles for position. Fans can look forward to two days of racing on Saturday and Sunday (each featuring qualifying and a race), spectacular pit stops and a diverse line-up of cars from eight different manufacturers. The DTM offers plenty to keep you entertained for a long day of racing in the Eifel – or even a whole weekend. Whether it’s the supporting races such as the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup, the numerous stands and attractions in and around the paddock (included in the admission price), or up-close experiences such as the pit walk with an autograph session or the Track Safari. Day tickets for race days are available from 49 euros, and weekend tickets from 69 euros. Also available: ‘RACE&LUNCH’ options (from 280 euros) and VIP packages from 450 euros. Classic two-wheelers to marvel at: Cologne Circuit | 22–23 August 2026On the fourth weekend in August, the engines certainly don’t fall silent – they simply change a gear. The MSC Porz invites you to the traditional Cologne Circuit on the Grand Prix track. This event has been a fixture since 1991 and will be held this year as an official round of the VFV German Historic Motorcycle Championship. Vintage motorcycle enthusiasts can marvel at historic racing machines from various eras. The absolute crowd favourites are the spectacular starts of the vintage sidecars and the high-speed races of the supersport bikes and superbikes. Day tickets are available from 10 euros and – like all tickets this weekend – include free access to the grandstand and the paddock. 60 GT cars and motorcycling icon Rossi: GT World Challenge | 28 to 30 August 2026 60 supercars on a 5.1-kilometre Grand Prix circuit: there’ll be plenty of traffic on the track during the GT World Challenge powered by AWS’s guest appearance. The world’s largest GT series will deliver thrilling duels during its 3-hour race on Sunday. The field of entrants is huge – and, at the same time, packed with top-class contenders. The starting line-up includes Nordschleife favourites such as the ROWE BMW, the Red Bull-branded Mercedes-AMG from Verstappen Racing and the powerful Ford Mustang from HRT. Experience suggests that the biggest crowds will gather around the number 46 BMW: motorbike legend Valentino Rossi will be behind the wheel – and spectators can be there to watch. Tickets grant free access to the paddock and are available from 10 euros (weekend ticket: 40 euros). A special treat awaits as part of the supporting programme: in the new GT3 Revival Series, rare legendary sports cars such as the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes-Benz SLS will take to the track. The Nürburgring highlights in August 2026: 31 July – 2 August: Nürburgring Drift Cup 1 August: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (6-hour race) 7–9 August: 53rd BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix 14–16 August: DTM 22–23 August: Kölner Kurs 28–30 August: GT World Challenge powered by AWS
27.07.2026
From 2027, the Nürburgring 24 Hours will be put on a broader footing. To this end, ADAC Nordrhein, as the organiser, has launched the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours Series. In addition to the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the 24h Qualifiers, there will in future be a 24h Prologue to mark the start of the season, giving teams and drivers even more extensive testing opportunities ahead of the four-day highlight of the Nordschleife season. The new racing series also includes two summer events, which will be run in accordance with the technical regulations of the 24h Nürburgring. These will take place as part of the traditional ADAC Eifelrennen and the ADAC 1000km race, both organised by DAMC 05 Veranstaltungs-GmbH. All events in the new series will be held on the 24h circuit variant, comprising the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife. “We are thereby responding to the wishes of many teams who wanted compact and targeted preparation for the ‘race of the year’ on the Nürburgring Nordschleife,” explains Walter Hornung, sporting director of ADAC North Rhine-Westphalia. “At the same time, this allows us to extend the extremely positive development of the 24h Nürburgring over the past few years to other events, which will be organised entirely along the lines of the 24h.” Numerous benefits for registered racing teamsThe standardised format for events, regulations and organisation are not the only benefits for registered teams and drivers in the new 24h Series. They also benefit from a reduced entry fee and a guaranteed starting place for the 24h Nürburgring. At the same time, the planned prize money is intended to help cover the costs of the teams’ participation. The organisers also expect a number of teams to take part in both the 24h Series and the German Historic Endurance Championship. For these teams, competing in both series will create a range of synergies – for example, in terms of logistics for the shared racing events. Special offers for fansThe new 24h Nürburgring Series is also set to be a real treat for Nordschleife fans. Whether via the famously comprehensive and high-quality live stream, the live timing and race ticker on the 24h website, or the social media channels followed by hundreds of thousands of fans: the new series will launch with media coverage of the highest standard. At the same time, special offers are planned for visitors at the venue – such as a season ticket of sorts or special camping packages for the various events. Planned 2027 event calendarIn its inaugural 2027 season, the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Series will comprise five events featuring a total of six races: 24h Nürburgring Prologue: 2–3 April 2027 (Friday/Saturday)* 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers: 30 April – 2 May 2027 (Friday – Sunday)** ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring: 27–30 May 2027 (Thursday – Sunday)** ADAC Eifel Race: 30 July – 1 August 2027 (Friday – Sunday)* ADAC 1000 km Race: 10–12 September 2027 (Friday – Sunday)* *provisional / ** confirmed
26.07.2026
“The weather gods must be cyclists. We had sunshine right up until the finish at 12.15 pm,” says chief organiser Hanns-Martin Fraas, delighted with Rad am Ring 2026. However, the Nürburgring is apparently not only favoured by the gods, but also by cycling fans: Time trials, mass-participation and gravel races, touring rides, a kids’ race, Bundesliga races and the 24-hour race attracted a total of 12,152 participants to the race circuit in the Eifel – more than ever before. Cycling round the clock“After a thoroughly impressive Saturday, the night got off to a quiet start. The highlight in every respect was the ‘Hohe Acht’, where the DJ turned night into day. It was a huge cycling festival, where the 6,344 participants rightly celebrated themselves. As the finish line was crossed – a process that took around one hour and fifteen minutes – I saw mostly happy, though sometimes a little exhausted, faces,” summed up Hanns-Martin Fraas, head of organisation, as the flagship event of ‘Rad am Ring’ drew to a close: the 24-hour race – solo, in teams of two, four or eight – which once again shone with team spirit, fairness and discipline, even if “at what I consider to be an absolutely magnificent event, crashes always remain a fly in the ointment. Although we had significantly fewer this year than usual, we unfortunately had five serious ones. We hope those involved in the accidents will be back on their feet soon,” said Hanns-Martin Fraas. The German Cycling League race at the Nürburgring ended with a sprint finish by a small breakaway group of five riders, won by Mil Morang (LUX) of Team Lotto Kern-Haus Outlet Montabaur ahead of Jermaine Zemke (GER) of Team Rembe/rad-net and Timo Behrens (GER) in a time of 2:45:05. This was followed by another breakaway group, before the peloton crossed the finish line. With today’s Bundesliga race, the cycling community bids farewell to the Green Hell this Sunday. “Everyone is a winner in their own way at Rad am Ring. It’s all become a bit more spectacular, and we’re looking forward to returning to the Nürburgring from 23 to 25 July 2027,” announced Hanns-Martin Fraas. The results of the 24-hour races | As of 26 July 2026, 3.00 pmIn the individual road bike category, Simon Vitzthum (SUI) from 24together completed the most laps – 28 – in 23:55:18 hours. Paul Fleck (GER) from RSG Hannover took 24:31:43 hours to complete the same number of laps. With 26 laps, Lion Trommer (GER) from Radsport Ganser/R.C. Sturmvogel MH took third place. In the women’s category, Jael Kahler (GER) claimed victory with 21 laps in 23:46:28 hours. They were followed by Petra Demmer (GER) from pwrd by Canyon, who completed 21 laps in 24:20:47 hours, and Manu Weber (SUI) with 20 laps. In the men’s pairs category, WattGehtAb? (SUI) completed the most laps of the circuit, namely 31. With 30 laps in 23:49:28 hours, Reboots Bike Team 1 (GER) came in second, ahead of Örebrocyklisterna rule 4 (SWE), who also completed 30 laps in 24:05:59 hours. The women’s pairs category was won by Übersee-Watt 2 (GER) with 26 laps in 23:51:36 hours. Second and third places went to Fahrrad XXL Walcher Racing Dream (GER), who also completed 26 laps in 24:07:30 hours, and the Paul Lange Cycling Crew Girls (GER), who took 24:41:47 hours to complete 26 laps. In the men’s four-person team category, Team Strassacker/Benotti (GER) completed the most laps of the circuit with 34. Just one lap behind them were the Asphaltcowboys X RTS Electronic (GER). Completing the podium were bike-components x CycleZirkus (GER) with 32 laps. With 29 laps, the Wahoo Women (GER) secured first place in the women’s four-person category. Behind them were the 24together Queens (SUI) and the Mallorca Chicas (GER), each completing 28 laps in 24:08:49 and 24:25:00 hours respectively. The teams of eight also racked up a fair number of kilometres. In the men’s category, RH77 Ledschends Factory Racing (AUT) led the way with 34 laps in 24:00:48 hours. AVIA II (GER) and AVIA I (GER) completed the same number of laps in 24:38:09 and 24:38:10 hours respectively – which was more than enough for second and third places. In the women’s 8-person team category, the AVIA Women (GER) completed 26 laps of the circuit. This secured them victory in this category. Behind them came Team Hübel Bonn II (GER) with 24 laps and Sweco Fast & Female (GER) with two laps fewer.
17.07.2026
Shortly after the start and finish area, on a plateau near the village of Nürburg, the construction site led downhill. The route descended for several kilometres towards Müllenbach. In the Bränkekopf area, a series of treacherous bends in quick succession were constructed, which later became known as the ‘Hexenkurven’ (Witches’ Bends). Whilst the track was being laid, shortly after the 2-kilometre mark – in the Aschenschlag area – the workers discovered the remains of a Roman manor house dating back almost 2,000 years. This gave the section the nickname “Hüsgen”, which refers to the ruins. After construction, the remains of the walls were forgotten and only came to light again during the construction of the Grand Prix circuit between November 1981 and May 1984. Today, they can be found next to the country road that used to be the southern loop." ℹ️ The Nürburgring opened in 1927. As part of #Roadto100, we are looking back at various milestones in our long history in the run-up to our big anniversary year!
16.07.2026
Max Fiebig of Subaru explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. How long has your company been using the Nürburgring for testing and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today?The programme began in 1989 as a crucial phase in the development of the Legacy for the European market. Since 1992, starting with the first generation of the Impreza WRX (GC series), the circuit has been used continuously as a fully-fledged development facility. For SUBARU/STI, the Nürburgring Nordschleife serves both as an early-stage development environment and as the ‘final testing ground for vehicle development’, and is regarded as ‘the place where weaknesses inevitably come to light’. It is described as ‘the world’s most demanding collection of public roads’ – a circuit that replicates real-world driving conditions to the very limit. There are numerous test facilities around the world. In your view, what makes the Nordschleife so unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or impossible to obtain elsewhere?Over its 20.8 km length, the Nürburgring Nordschleife combines every possible situation that can occur on public roads – including high-speed sections, slow-speed sections, bumps, unevenness, uneven road surfaces and steep gradients. Furthermore, the Eifel region is known for its highly changeable climate, where conditions resembling all four seasons can occur within a single day. SUBARU regards this circuit as a ‘microcosm of the world’s roads’ and uses it to evaluate the driving dynamics of both development vehicles and production models. The “benchmark for the SUBARU/STI driving experience” is based on insights that can only be gained here. ・Stability at high speeds・Steering response・Traction provided by the symmetrical all-wheel drive・Tyre grip influenced by the bodywork and chassisThese factors serve as criteria for determining whether a vehicle offers the ‘typical SUBARU driving experience’. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, and the history and reputation of the Nürburgring play in this context?As mentioned earlier, SUBARU/STI regards the Nordschleife as a race track that offers an extreme, realistic simulation of driving conditions – a crucial element in the development of better cars. However, thanks to the efforts of the Nürburgring’s staff to preserve its traditions, the circuit is regarded as one of the most demanding race tracks both within and outside the automotive industry. Consequently, we believe that it has taken on a role not only as a platform for better product development, but also as a marketing tool that builds trust in the market. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you go to the trouble of transporting staff, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?We have great respect for all German car manufacturers and the Nürburgring. The driving experience and handling of German cars set them apart from those of other countries – not only at the Nürburgring, but also in everyday road traffic, for example when changing lanes on the motorway or navigating roundabouts. We can learn so much from German road conditions and the country’s advanced motoring culture, and we are convinced that the benefits we derive from this far outweigh the effort involved in transporting our staff, vehicles, parts and equipment there. SUBARU also uses the Nürburgring as a global development centre and ensures that the knowledge gained there is applied not only to European models but also to vehicles worldwide. How important is the Nürburgring for the perception of your brand and your products, both in your home markets and internationally?We believe that this is also a platform on which the reliability of SUBARU/STI vehicles (the benchmark for SUBARU/STI performance) and the superiority of the boxer engine, combined with symmetrical all-wheel drive, are demonstrated, and that it serves as a solid foundation on which customers can confidently choose SUBARU/STI vehicles based on their driving performance. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies wishing to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nürburgring Nordschleife is generally regarded as an established benchmark, meaning that testing there can contribute to reliability by demonstrating how a vehicle behaves under demanding real-world conditions. At the same time, electrification is shifting development priorities, and BEVs present different challenges compared to conventional, track-oriented applications. It is therefore necessary to validate aspects such as thermal behaviour, energy consumption and consistent performance not only through simulation, but also under the dynamic conditions of the Nordschleife. How do you incorporate the Nürburgring into your product development communications, and what significance do record lap times or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?The current SUBARU/STI aims to incorporate the insights gained from the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring into its production vehicles, with the aim of creating cars that anyone – regardless of their driving ability – can drive safely and effortlessly without tiring, and which make drivers want to keep driving them further and further. We continue to take part in this race to demonstrate this advantage. Whilst we do not deny the significance of test results such as speed records (lap times), we do not regard these as the most important factor; rather, we see the race as a pivotal event that symbolises our company’s development philosophy of sincerely and continuously striving for improvement.
16.07.2026
Test and development runs take place on the Nordschleife for up to 17 weeks a year. Car manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world use this time to develop and test vehicles, components and new technologies under the most demanding conditions. Although many companies have their own test centres and proving grounds, they go to the considerable logistical effort of bringing vehicles, development teams and equipment from Japan, China, the USA and other countries to the Nürburgring. But why is the Nürburgring such an important development site for the international automotive industry, and why is the effort justified? “For us, the Nordschleife is far more than just a test track. It is a comprehensive development tool that enables us to ensure our vehicles meet the high expectations of international markets,” says José Miranda, Global Chief Marketing Officer at BYD and therefore responsible for the DENZA and YANGWANG brands. For Astemo, an international automotive supplier, the Nürburgring is also a special development site. Kenichi Kirihara, General Manager of the Technology Development Division for Next Generation Chassis Systems, says: “Nowhere else in the world can we find a circuit or test track where driving dynamics can be tested so comprehensively.” This statement is underpinned by the diverse parameters offered by the Nordschleife: 21 kilometres in length, 73 bends and a 300-metre elevation change over a single lap. High-speed sections, varying road surface conditions, bumps, compressions, hard braking zones and a wide variety of corner combinations following one another in quick succession place relentless demands on the entire vehicle and its components. The Nordschleife demonstrates how all components work together under real-world, sustained stress. “A microcosm of the world’s roads and a lap that reveals weaknesses”For Subaru, too, the Nürburgring has therefore held a firm place in vehicle development for decades. As early as 1989, the company used the Nordschleife as part of the development of the Legacy for the European market. Since 1992, the circuit has been a continuous part of Subaru and STI’s development work, starting with the first Impreza WRX. The company describes the Nordschleife as a place where vehicles are tested under conditions that are extremely close to real-world scenarios. “For Subaru and STI, the Nordschleife is both an early-stage development environment and the final test track for vehicle development – the place where a vehicle’s weaknesses inevitably become apparent,” explains Max Fiebig, Engineering Manager at Subaru Corporation. According to Fiebig, the Nordschleife replicates almost every situation that can occur on public roads: fast and slow sections, bumps, potholes, rough road surfaces and steep gradients. Added to this is the changeable weather in the Eifel region. For Subaru, the Nürburgring is therefore a “microcosm of the world’s roads”. Toyota, too, has been using the Nürburgring for development and testing since 1995. Over the past three decades, the Nordschleife has become an important extension of the company’s own development environment. Toyota links this to its ‘Roads make cars’ philosophy: vehicles improve where they are driven, tested and further developed under real-world conditions. Behind this lies a clear development philosophy: vehicles should be developed where they will eventually be driven. “The Nordschleife offers a unique combination of demanding driving conditions, high speeds and changing weather conditions. Here, our engineers can evaluate vehicles under conditions that cannot be fully replicated anywhere else,” explains test driver Herwig Daenens. “The insights gained there are incorporated into performance models as well as production vehicles.” According to Daenens, the aim is to develop vehicles that not only impress on the racetrack, but also instil confidence and driving pleasure in their drivers during everyday use. “The Nürburgring offers development value that goes far beyond distance and logistics”The particular significance of the Nürburgring is also evident from the effort expended by international companies. Teams travel from Japan, China and other countries; vehicles and components are brought to Germany; and development programmes are planned and carried out over months. YANGWANG began using the Nürburgring in June 2024, whilst DENZA started in October 2025. Both brands use the Nordschleife as part of their international development and validation work. This is not just about pure performance, but also about driver confidence, repeatability, thermal stability, durability and the overall quality of the vehicle. “The investment is justified because the Nürburgring offers development value that goes far beyond distance and logistics,” says José Miranda. “As international brands, YANGWANG and DENZA must validate their products in environments that are recognised and respected by customers, engineers and the media around the world.” Max Fiebig, speaking on behalf of Subaru, also attributes the effort to the unique automotive environment in Germany. He refers in particular to the emotional driving culture of the Green Hell and the proximity to the German automotive industry. Astemo has now even set up a development base near the Nordschleife. Kenichi Kirihara explains: “We need to find the most demanding environment to get the best out of our engineers and our technology. Innovative technology doesn’t just come to us whilst we sleep – we have to work hard for it.” “The Nürburgring as a global benchmark: if you succeed here, you’ll succeed anywhere”The companies’ responses repeatedly revolve around a central perception: for the industry, the Nürburgring is not merely a test site, but a globally recognised benchmark. Toyota describes the Nordschleife as the benchmark for driving dynamics, durability and the driving experience. Subaru sees it as the foundation for its own commitment to a safe, stable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. BYD emphasises the importance of internationally recognised development environments, and Astemo sums up its significance particularly clearly: “The Nordschleife is to the automotive industry what New York is to show business: if you succeed here, you’ll succeed anywhere.” This assessment illustrates why the Nürburgring enjoys such special credibility worldwide. Anyone testing here is not only taking on a demanding circuit, but also a benchmark that is understood within the automotive industry, by the media and by customers. This global significance is evident beyond mere statements. American performance cars such as the Ford Mustang GTD have been strongly associated with development and official lap times at the Nürburgring in recent months. Here, too, it becomes clear: the Nordschleife is not just a European legend, but a global benchmark for technical performance. More than just high-speed performance, best times and recordsIn the public eye, the Nürburgring is often associated with spectacular lap times. For the companies themselves, however, records – if at all – are only part of the story. The development work is what matters most. YANGWANG and DENZA regard communication centred on the Nordschleife as credible above all when it is based on genuine engineering work: testing, calibration, validation and continuous improvement. “Communication centred on the Nordschleife should be based on authentic development work,” says José Miranda. “The value of the Nürburgring is not limited to a single figure. It is about demonstrating technical excellence, development discipline and the ability to develop vehicles that perform confidently under demanding conditions.” Subaru, too, does not focus on individual lap times. Instead, the company uses the Nürburgring – as well as major events such as the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring – to apply the insights gained to production vehicles. The aim is to produce vehicles that can be driven safely and with confidence, regardless of the driver’s ability, that do not cause fatigue and that make you want to keep driving. Astemo regards publicly communicated lap times as an exciting benchmark for motoring enthusiasts and those interested in technology. For its own development, however, the focus is on modern chassis technologies – such as systems in which steering, brakes, chassis and electric drive are centrally networked with one another. “If a system works well on the Nordschleife, we can be fairly certain that it will work well on all roads,” says Kenichi Kirihara. A development hub with international appealThe companies’ statements make it clear: for the international automotive industry, the Nürburgring is a place where products are not only tested but also developed with a view to the long term. The Nordschleife combines real-world conditions, a technical environment, infrastructure, history and a global reputation to form a development hub that no other test track can replace. This means the Nürburgring is not only part of motorsport history, but also part of the future of mobility. Whether it’s internal combustion engines, hybrids, electric vehicles, chassis control systems or software integration – the Nordschleife remains a place where new technologies must prove themselves under particularly demanding conditions. ➡️ The full interviews with Toyota, Subaru, YANGWANG, DENZA and Astemo will be published on the landing page “Test & Development am Nürburgring” and provide further insights into the development work carried out by international manufacturers and suppliers at the Nürburgring.
16.07.2026
Kenichi Kirihara of Astemo explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. Since when has your company been using the Nürburgring for test and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today? Astemo has been a member of the Industry Pool since 2025. Since then, we have been sending our development teams from Japan and Europe to the Nordschleife on a regular basis. The Nürburgring is important for us, because it is absolutely unique. Nowhere else in the world can we find a track or proving ground on which vehicle dynamics can be tested so comprehensively. There are numerous test facilities around the world. From your perspective, what makes the Nordschleife unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or even impossible to obtain elsewhere?73 corners, 300m vertical and almost 21km distance per lap is unique. The track has changing tarmac qualities, undulations and demanding successions of corners. You learn a lot about the performance of your chassis hardware and – increasingly important – about the chassis control systems. I can’t think of another track that is more demanding for road vehicles. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, as well as the Nürburgring's history and reputation play in this context?The track layout plays an important role in the development of our Cross-Domain Integrated Control System. In this system the chassis components – steering, brakes, and suspension – and even the electric powertrain communicate amongst each other and are centrally controlled. If the system works well on the Nordschleife, we can be pretty sure that it works well on all roads. The Nürburgring I-Pool Team is doing a phantastic job in providing a safe environment for us and our fellow industry colleagues. We appreciate the continuous upgrades of the T13 area and the infrastructure along the track. We have a development base in the area, and the local ecosystem provides all services that we might need. The history of the Nordschleife is probably not so relevant for the actual development work. But we all have Nürburgring stickers on our suitcases and on our cars at home – you can say that we are emotionally attached to the Ring. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you invest the effort required to bring personnel, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?We have to find the most demanding environment to bring out the best in our engineers and our technology. To increase the efficiency of our work here we have established a development base near the Nordschleife. We do that because innovative technology doesn’t come to us in our sleep – we have to work hard for it. What significance does the Nürburgring have for the perception of your brand and products, both in your home markets and internationally?The significance for our products is very clear: the Nürburgring makes them better. Valuable technologies proven at the Nürburgring are respected by OEMs and suppliers worldwide and serve as a highly effective means of enhancing our own brand value. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies seeking to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nordschleife in the automotive industry is what New York is in show business – if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere. If we are serious about our technology we have to develop it under the most demanding and unforgiving conditions. How do you integrate the Nürburgring into the communication surrounding your product development, and what significance do record laps or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?Our Social Media Team is using some of the activities. But since we are working on rather advanced technologies here, we don’t want to open up too much about it.For people with a high interest in cars and automotive technology, record laps are a great thrill. They are a good measure for objective comparisons between various types of vehicles.
16.07.2026
José Miranda of BYD explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. Since when has your company been using the Nürburgring for test and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today?YANGWANG began using the Nürburgring for test and development activities in June 2024, with testing programs conducted from June to November 2024 and again from July to November 2025. DENZA’s Nürburgring testing activities started in October 2025, with an initial program from October to November 2025 and further testing planned from April to October 2026. For both brands, the Nordschleife plays an important role as part of our international development and validation work. It allows our engineering teams to evaluate vehicle dynamics, braking performance, thermal management, chassis behavior, stability, durability and overall vehicle confidence in an extremely demanding environment. The Nordschleife is not only a test track for us; it is a comprehensive development tool that helps ensure our products meet high expectations in global markets. There are numerous test facilities around the world. From your perspective, what makes the Nordschleife unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or even impossible to obtain elsewhere?The Nordschleife is unique because it combines many different driving conditions within one lap: high-speed sections, elevation changes, compressions, surface variations, heavy braking zones, blind corners and a wide range of corner types. Many proving grounds are designed to evaluate specific vehicle characteristics in a controlled way. The Nordschleife, by contrast, challenges the entire vehicle as a complete system.This makes it especially valuable for understanding how different systems interact under sustained load. It is not only about peak performance, but also about consistency, repeatability, driver confidence and how the vehicle behaves when mechanical, thermal, electronic and software systems are working together under demanding conditions. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, as well as the Nürburgring’s history and reputation play in this context?The track layout is one of the key reasons why the Nürburgring remains so relevant for vehicle development. It provides very direct feedback on steering precision, braking stability, suspension tuning, traction, energy management and high-speed balance. For engineers, this makes the Nordschleife an extremely efficient environment to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for refinement. The surrounding automotive ecosystem is also highly important. The availability of experienced partners, workshops, logistics support and testing services makes the location practical and efficient for international development work. In addition, the history and reputation of the Nürburgring give testing activities there a special significance. Development work at the Nordschleife is recognized globally as a serious technical benchmark. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you invest the effort required to bring personnel, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?The investment is justified because the Nürburgring provides development value that goes far beyond distance or logistics. As international brands, YANGWANG and DENZA need to validate their products in environments that are recognized and respected by customers, engineers and media around the world. Bringing personnel, vehicles and components to Germany allows our teams to work directly in one of the most demanding and established automotive development environments. The insights gained there help us refine our products for global markets and ensure that our engineering standards are tested against internationally recognized benchmarks. What significance does the Nürburgring have for the perception of your brand and products, both in your home markets and internationally?The Nürburgring has strong technical and symbolic significance. In our home market, testing at the Nordschleife demonstrates a commitment to international standards and shows that our products are being developed and validated in demanding global environments. Internationally, it helps communicate seriousness, engineering quality and credibility. For YANGWANG, the Nürburgring supports a performance- and technology-oriented brand image. For DENZA, it reinforces the perception of a premium brand focused on quality, confidence, refinement and product maturity. In both cases, the Nürburgring provides a respected context in which technical capability can be developed, validated and communicated. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies seeking to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nordschleife plays an important role because it is widely understood in Europe as one of the most demanding environments for vehicle development. European customers and industry observers place high value on handling, braking confidence, stability, durability and repeatable performance. Testing at the Nürburgring shows that a company is willing to engage with these expectations seriously. For companies expanding their presence in Europe, the Nordschleife is therefore more than a test location. It is a credibility benchmark. It helps demonstrate that product development is not limited to internal standards, but is also measured against one of the most respected references in the global automotive industry. How do you integrate the Nürburgring into the communication surrounding your product development, and what significance do record laps or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?We see the Nürburgring first and foremost as a development environment. Communication around the Nordschleife should therefore be based on authentic engineering work: testing, calibration, validation and continuous improvement. It is important that any communication reflects the substance of the development process and not only the symbolic value of the location. Record laps or publicly communicated test results can create attention and can be meaningful when they are transparent, credible and connected to real product development. However, the broader value of the Nürburgring is not limited to a single number. For us, it is about demonstrating technical ambition, engineering discipline and the ability to develop vehicles that perform with confidence under demanding conditions.
15.07.2026
Six weeks after the last event of the Nürburgring Circuit Challenge (RCN), the fifth round of the season is on the schedule. More than 160 participants entered the “Um die Westfalen-Trophy” performance test, which is held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and organized by MSC Bork e.V. in conjunction with the ADAC. RCN Series Manager Willi Hillebrand: “Let’s hope the weather cooperates. An event with predictable conditions would be nice. The entry list is more than satisfactory for a summer date.” The 15 laps of the performance test on the 20.793-kilometer-long Nordschleife—for a total distance of 311.895 kilometers—are divided into: 1 qualifying lap, 1 confirmation lap, 10 sprint laps, 2 refueling laps with a maximum time of 50 minutes, and 1 cool-down lap. The maximum total driving time for the event is 190 minutes. The current RCN standings leaders, Jens Schneider and Robin Reimer (Engelsbrand / Schömberg, BMW 325i), will compete in the R4 class, which—with 22 entered participants—is once again the largest in the field. Their closest rivals, Sven Markert and Lars Harbeck (both from Berlin, BMW 320i), will compete as usual in the H3 class, which features 11 vehicles in this race. Christian Koch (Wickede, BMW 325i), who is third in the standings, is coming from the H4 class, which has 13 cars this time. There are 16 starters in the R2A class, and 11 teams will be competing in the RS3A class. Among the favorites for the RCN overall victory or a top finish are Michael Luther / Markus Schmickler (Barsbüttel / Bad Neuenahr, BMW M4 GT4), David Vogt (Waldfeucht, Opel Astra TCR), Andreas Schwarz (Obernburg, Cupra Leon TCR) , Alain Dutronc (Switzerland, Porsche Cayman GT4 CS), Sven Markert / Lars Harbeck, Stefan Schmickler (Bad Neuenahr, Porsche Cayman), and Eric Petrich (Wawern, BMW M3). Of particular interest is the driver pairing in the BMW M2 Competition in the RS8A class. Joining Dirk Maier (Albstadt) this time is Yannik Fübrich (Brackenheim), the current leader in the NLS standings and a former NLS champion. Maier: “I’ve wanted to drive with a professional partner for a long time to see what the car is capable of.” Schedule for the “Um die Westfalen-Trophy” Friday, June 17, 20262:30–7:30 p.m. Welcome Center “Scharfer Kopf”3:30–8:00 p.m. Document Check (Historic Paddock)3:30–8:30 p.m. Document Check (Historic Paddock) Saturday, June 18, 20267:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. “Scharfer Kopf” Welcome Center8:15–11:15 a.m. Document Check (Historic Paddock)8:15–11:30 a.m. Technical inspection (Historic Pit Area)10:30 a.m. Briefing for new drivers (Historic Pit Area)11:40 a.m. Drivers’ briefing (Historic Pit Area)12:30 p.m. Start5:00 p.m. Virtual posting of results (www.r-c-n.com)5:30 p.m. Awards ceremony (Historic Paddock) RCN 2026 Calendar March 28: “Bergischer Schmied” Nordschleife + GP Short CircuitApril 25: “Preis der Schlossstadt Brühl” Nordschleife + GP Short CircuitMay 14 “Feste Nürburg” Nürburgring Nordschleife + GP 24-hour variantMay 30 “Nordeifelpokal” Nürburgring NordschleifeJuly 18 “Um die Westfalen-Trophy” Nürburgring NordschleifeSeptember 5: “Rhein-Ruhr” Nürburgring NordschleifeSeptember 26: “Erftquelle Prize” Nordschleife + GP Short CircuitOctober 24: “Schwedenkreuz” 3-hour RCN raceNürburgring Nordschleife + GP Short Circuit
