“Bergischer Schmied” – Kickoff of the Nürburgring Circuit Challenge | Start of the 2026 Season

25.03.2026

The 2026 season of the Nürburgring Circuit Challenge (RCN) kicks off on Saturday, March 28, with the “Bergischer Schmied” race. The performance test, organized by the Bergischer Motor-Club e.V. within the ADAC, will take place on the 24.358-kilometer variant of the Nürburgring (Nordschleife + GP short connection). The season opener consists of 16 laps covering a distance of 389.728 kilometers; the race starts on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the start-finish straight of the GP circuit. Over 130 entries have been received for the event so far. RCN Series Manager Willi Hillebrand: “We are quite satisfied with the result. At the start of the season, entry numbers are still somewhat lower. However, that will change as the season progresses. Our grassroots racing series remains on the right track. This is also evident from the fact that nearly 200 participants have registered for the series on a permanent basis.”

The 16 laps of the first performance test in the 2026 season are divided into: 1 qualifying lap, 2 confirmation laps, 12 sprint laps, and 1 cool-down lap. Refueling takes place in the pit lane; all vehicles may refuel only during the sprint laps and must adhere to the prescribed total pit stop time of 10 minutes. If the time is not met, 10 penalty points are assessed for every second. A lap time of 8:20 minutes must not be undershot. The total driving time for the event is a maximum of 225 minutes.

The R4 class is the largest at the season opener with 17 cars. The R2A and H4 classes each have 13 entrants. There are 12 cars entered in the H3 class and 10 teams in the RS4 class. Based on last year’s experience, the number of favorites for the first win of the season and other top finishes is once again quite large at the 2026 season opener: including Michael Luther/Markus Schmickler (Barsbüttel/Bad Neuenahr, BMW M4 GT4), David Vogt (Waldfeucht, Opel Astra TCR), Volker Hanf/Sascha Siegert (Rheinbach/Rhede, Cupra Leon TCR), Andreas Schwarz (Obernburg, Cupra Leon TCR), Sascha Kloft/Heiko Tönges (Zehnhausen/Bell, Porsche Cayman GT4 CS), Moritz Rosenbach (Dörth, VW Golf TCR), Alain Dutronc (Switzerland, Porsche Cayman GT4 CS), and Florian Pröbstl (Hohenpeißenberg, BMW M3).

Test and setup session ahead of the event
Prior to the start of the RCN season, a test and setup session for all RCN participants and other interested parties will take place on Friday, March 27. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the 24.358-kilometer track variant of the Nürburgring (Nordschleife + GP short connection) will be available for test runs by the teams.

Schedule “Bergischer Schmied”

Friday, March 27, 2026

  • 1:30–7:30 p.m. Welcome Center “Scharfer Kopf”
  • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Test and setup run (Nordschleife + GP Short)
  • 2:00 PM Entry to the paddock for RCN participants
  • 3:30–8:00 PM Document inspection (Paddock 1, TÜV Tower)
  • 3:30–8:30 PM Technical inspection (Paddock 1, BOX 1–3)

Saturday, March 28, 2026

  • 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Welcome Center “Scharfer Kopf”
  • 8:15–11:15 a.m. Document check (Paddock 1, TÜV Tower)
  • 8:15–11:30 a.m. Technical inspection (Paddock 1, BOX 1–3)
  • 10:30 a.m. Briefing for new participants (Media Center, TÜV Tower)
  • 11:30 a.m. Drivers’ briefing (Media Center, TÜV Tower)
  • 12:30 PM Start
  • 5:00 PM Virtual posting of results (www.r-c-n.com)
  • 5:30 PM Awards ceremony (Media Center, TÜV Tower)