There is still around a month to go until the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring (RCN) kicks off the 2026 season. Preparations are largely complete: the dates have been set, the announcement has been made, and over 150 participants have already registered for the popular amateur racing series. Nothing stands in the way of a successful start to the 46th season at the Nürburgring on Saturday, March 28. RCN Series Manager Willi Hillebrand: "We can hardly wait for things to finally get going again after the long winter break. The number of registrations is encouragingly high. Interest in the traditional grassroots racing series remains unbroken. If the weather cooperates and there are no other unforeseeable events, it should be another successful motorsport year for the RCN in the Eifel." The 2026 RCN calendar also includes eight events at the Nürburgring – seven performance tests and one circuit race. The events will be held on three different track variants.

Three performance tests (RCN 04, RCN 05, RCN 06) will take place exclusively on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (lap length 20.793 kilometers). The event will cover 15 laps or 311.895 kilometers. The distance is made up of: 2 laps at target time, 10 laps at best time, 2 laps at maximum time (including refueling), and 1 cool-down lap.

As part of the ADAC Ravenol 24-hour race, the performance test (RCN 03) will take place on the 24-hour variant (Nürburgring Nordschleife + GP course without AMG Arena) with a lap length of 25.378 kilometers (total distance 355.292 kilometers). The 14 laps are divided as follows: 3 laps at target time, 10 laps at best time, and 1 cool-down lap.

The RCN will drive four times on the longer track variant (Nürburgring Nordschleife + GP short connection) with 24.358 kilometers. In the three performance tests (RCN 01, RCN 02, RCN 07), the distance is 16 laps or 389.728 kilometers. There are 3 laps on target time, 12 laps on best time (including refueling in the pit lane, minimum standstill time 10 minutes per vehicle), and 1 cool-down lap.

In the “Schwedenkreuz” circuit race (RCN 08) at the end of the season, there is no lap requirement, as the distance is measured by time. This year, the RCN will not be hosting the Youngtimers, but instead the RCN GLP regularity test will be held as part of the event. There are still opportunities to compete in more than 30 classes. Accordingly, a wide variety of vehicles will be on display, from small VW Polos to powerful Porsche 911 GT3 Cups. RCN titles will be awarded in 8 categories. In addition to the RCN champions, title holders will also be sought in the RCN Overall Winner Cup, the RCN Junior Trophy, the RCN team rankings, and the RCN Light. The RCN Ladies Trophy and the RCN Senior Cup are also being advertised.

The respective class winners will be honored at the end of the season, and trophies will also be awarded to the winners in the ranking groups. The entry fees for participants were adjusted before the 2026 season to reflect the increased costs. RCN Series Manager Hillebrand: “We calculated carefully and then made the decision to adjust the fees. To our regret, we had to pay tribute to the recent increase in costs for organizing the event.”

The 2026 RCN season begins on Saturday, March 28, with the “Bergischer Schmied” performance test, organized by the Bergischer Motor-Club e.V. (BMC) in the ADAC, the oldest club in the ADAC North Rhine-Westphalia. The race will consist of 16 laps on the 24.358-kilometer version of the Nürburgring (Nordschleife plus short GP connection).

Test and setup drive ahead of the opening event
Before the start of the RCN season, a test and setup drive for 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 drives.

➡️ Here you will find an explanation of how the RCN performance tests are structured.