The ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring 2023 is the rock festival among German motorsport events - because there's something going on everywhere! Nowhere is this more visible than in the programme for fans. Because while the exciting motorsport programme takes place on the "Centre Stage" of the venerable Nordschleife, there is plenty to discover all around. The thousands of visitors around the more than 25 km long track are already worth discovering, because they make for a never-ending celebration mile, where many groups of guests try to outdo each other with crazy ideas and great actions. Especially in the paddocks and around the start/finish, however, numerous partners, teams and companies attract visitors with a mixture of offers, autograph sessions and entertainment. Often enough, visitors hardly know where to go first. The handy fan guide is available free of charge in the paddock, at the entrances to the circuit or, for example, at REWE in Adenau. The most important information for fans is summarised below.
Overture on Wednesday at the Adenau Racing Day
The rhythm of the event is, of course, set by the main act: The 24h Nürburgring and its protagonists are always in the spotlight, and their performances put the stamp on the weekend. This is already the case with the overture, which will again take place along the main street and on the central market square in the racing town of Adenauer. On Wednesday (17 May) from 4 p.m. onwards, there will be a big come-together of the fans and teams, the stars of the 24h and frame races will be on stage to answer questions, and in front of the stage there will be the opportunity to meet many pilots in person for autographs and selfies.
In order to reach "Downtown Adenau" in the best possible way, the fan shuttle buses around the circuit will be in operation from Wednesday onwards and will serve all the important spectator points on two routes running in opposite directions until Sunday - from Saturday to Sunday even around the clock!
Friday programme full of fan highlights
The first race decisions will finally be made on Friday (19 May), but still on the Grand Prix circuit: At 3:30 p.m., the Touring Car Legends will hold their first race, followed at 4:35 p.m. by the impressive starting field of the Cup and Touring Car Trophy. At the same time, the main spectator points at the Nordschleife will be visited by trial icon Fred Crosset. He demonstrates his skills with short shows and can also be seen again and again on the weekend in the Grand Prix paddock in the area of Energydrink partner Monster.
From the point of view of most fans, the most important sporting decision for many visitors will also be made on this day in the 24h field: After the third qualifying session, it will be decided who will be allowed to participate in the top qualifying for pole position and the places at the front of the grid in the late afternoon from 17:30. Which of the solos will be rewarded with the role of first fiddle in the race in the end will be decided by about 19:15.
Immediately afterwards, however, there will be more action for the visitors: from 20:00 onwards, two popular programme events will take place in parallel. In the Müllenbachschleife, the Falken Drift Show will bring the stands to the boil. Smoking tyres, vehicle control and a great fun factor traditionally ensure the best entertainment, which thousands of visitors don't want to miss. Here, too, the fan shuttles ensure that the arrival and departure runs without any avoidable delays. Those who can't make it to the Müllenbachschleife will find a great offer at the start/finish: from 8 p.m., the gates to the track will open and the teams will gather in the pit lane for an autograph session. There you will have the opportunity to meet the pilots directly in all vehicle classes. Many visitors are sure to take advantage of this opportunity, especially as parts of the Nürburgring's legendary tarmac will be open at the same time during the track and pitwalk: A brilliant opportunity to take a selfie at the spot where the 24h winner will be waved off by race director Walter Hornung two days later!
Saturday and Sunday: One highlight after the other
The racing highlights continue on Saturday and start with a real classic: The countdown to the 24h Nürburgring begins on Saturday morning with the 24h Classic. The fast-paced journey back in time to the 24h history will be followed by the warm-up of the current 24h cars as well as the second race of the touring car legends - so the stands, especially at the Grand Prix circuit, will be well filled from noon onwards. While the traditional Audi, BMW and Hyundai car parades will take turns on the Nordschleife from 13:30, the tension around the start/finish line will continue to rise. At the same time, the guests at the start/finish line will be entertained by Fred Crosset's trial show in front of the Mercedes grandstand.
A highlight of this pre-programme: the presentation of the Glickenhaus Trophy to the driver who has driven the fastest top qualifying lap. Finally, at 3:40 p.m., the starting field sets off for a long introductory lap around the Nordschleife. Led by an Audi R8 e-tron, the defilee passes the fans on the Nordschleife. Finally, at 4 p.m., the starting lights go green for the 51st edition of the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring.
Nordschleife as festival site: An invitation to a voyage of discovery
Even though there is a lot of action on the track, there is actually time for everyone to explore the festival grounds at the Nürburgring extensively. And it's worth it, because there are new attractions this year. Of course, this definitely applies to the various paddocks, which you definitely shouldn't miss. The path leads many visitors first to the Historic Paddock, where this year the teams of the touring car legends are taking up quarters. The way then leads through the tunnel under the track to the Grand Prix paddock, which is reserved for the 24h teams. Here there are also the large areas of well-known manufacturers. As in previous years, the Mercedes-AMG fan base will attract visitors with attractions such as a sim competition, pit stop competition, Carrera track, fan wall, catering and beer garden, vehicle exhibition and much more. Hyundai has set up its "Never Just Drive Area", where there will be public viewing on the large LED screen, a racing simulator and photo activities, among other things. Of course, the Ravenol Ferris wheel next to the Medical Centre cannot be overlooked. For the fare, visitors are rewarded with a fantastic Eifel and Nürburgring panorama, and after getting off, the next attractions are immediately waiting. Around the Ferris wheel, the Monster action area, bullriding with "Bembel with care" and more await. And don't miss the Mercedes Arena, where the teams of the ADAC 24h-Classic and the Cup and Touring Car Trophy can be found.
Fan Mile in the ring°boulevard
At the latest when there is another rain shower typical for the Eifel, the covered fan mile on the ring°boulevard is almost a must. Because this is an exceptionally pleasant place to spend time. This is where the 24h's major industry partners can be found with their stands and offers - for example Audi, where there will be a give-away campaign three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 17:00) and a "Meet the Audi Sport drivers" is scheduled for Saturday. BMW, Tesla and TotalEnergies as well as ZF are also prominent exhibitors. There will constantly be competitions, animation and encounters with drivers. Exhibitors such as LEGO, where not only a Lamborghini can be marvelled at as a large model, but also a rally car station, LEGO racer ramps, dream car generator and other attractions encourage visitors to make their own cars, ensure that the whole family really gets its money's worth. ck modelcars will also delight young and adult visitors alike. Those who want to buy an item from the 24h merchandising collection will find a corresponding sales stand here, but also at many other positions around the track. Toyota has come up with a highlight, sending visitors on a ninja course. And of course, there will also be catering offers here to invite you to linger.
Let's go on a tour around the Nordschleife!
Lust but not least, it is of course the Nordschleife that is worth the trip in itself and around which surprises constantly blossom during the event days. There are racing drivers and teams who stop by to pay a flying visit to the fans - or even fan groups who create an atmosphere with their very own entertainment programme. Of course, all this is embedded in the unique atmosphere of a barbecue party, DJ contest and petrol talks. Around the time-honoured circuit, the main spectator points are of course important points of contact. The fan shuttles will also stop here, and there will also be sales points for the 24-hour merchandising in many areas. One of the shuttle stops is in Adenau, where the REWE supermarket is not only an important local supplier of everything a fan's heart desires. The team around owner Melanie Koch will also start a charity marathon, which will offer new attractions for the visitors every day and collect money for a good cause. Monster will also pitch its tents at the Brünnchen, where the energy drink manufacturer will set up a 300-square-metre fan zone.
Timetable Fan Shuttles
- Route 1: Dorint-Hotel - Scharfer Kopf (Driving Safety Centre II, only Friday evening for the Falken Drift Show) - Eifeldorf - Hatzenbach / BMW Test Centre - Schwalbenschwanz - Pflanzgarten - Brünnchen and return
- Route 2: Dorint-Hotel - Scharfer Kopf (Driving Safety Centre II, only Friday evening for the Falken Drift Show) - Quiddelbacher Höhe / Hatzenbach - Breidscheid - Adenau Schule (Adenauer Forst) - Adenau Hauptstraße (Zweirad Schmitz) and back.
- Timetable: Thursday 08:00 - 24:00 hrs | Friday 08:00 - 01:00 hrs | Saturday 08:00 - 24:00 hrs | Sunday 00:00 - 18:00 hrs