NEWS

11 March, Wednesday

The season begins: premieres, classics, and the full variety of the Ring

When the first engines roar into life in March, it marks the start of more than just a new racing season at the Nürburgring. It marks the start of a year that reflects the full spectrum of this legendary event location: top-class international motorsport, spectator-friendly series on the Nordschleife, festivals, community events, family formats, and hands-on activities. Around 60 events will...
The season begins: premieres, classics, and the full variety of the Ring

11.03.2026

When the first engines roar into life in March, it marks the start of more than just a new racing season at the Nürburgring. It marks the start of a year that reflects the full spectrum of this legendary event location: top-class international motorsport, spectator-friendly series on the Nordschleife, festivals, community events, family formats, and hands-on activities. Around 60 events will make the Nürburgring 2026 a meeting place for fans from all over the world from spring until late autumn – and a powerful driving force for the region. The highlights of the calendar include traditional crowd-pullers such as the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the DTM, Rock am Ring, the Int. ADAC Truck Grand Prix, and the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix. They guarantee full grandstands, full campsites, and an atmosphere that can only be found in the Eifel region. Between March and October, these major events alternate with a variety of other formats – from international GT racing to accessible Nordschleife action. The Nordschleife as the centerpieceAs a world-renowned trademark, the legendary Nordschleife will continue to be the touchstone for top driving performance in 2026. The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series, the RCN Circuit Challenge, and the GLP regularity test provide hands-on racing throughout the year. Here, fans experience thrilling duels, an open paddock, and motorsport that remains tangible. The highlight is the 24-hour weekend in May, when more than 100 vehicles set off on a chase through the “Green Hell” and tens of thousands of fans camp along the track. Hardly any other race combines sporting excellence and passionate fan culture so intensely. New impetus in the international racing calendarIn 2026, the Nürburgring will be setting new trends: the MICHELIN 12H Nürburgring will be making its debut in the Eifel region. The premiere as part of the Michelin 24H SERIES expands the international endurance racing portfolio and underlines the importance of the location in global GT racing. A new chapter is also beginning in the two-wheel sector: the International German Motorcycle Championship will compete under the name EURO MOTO in future. With a new look and a sharper profile, the series is repositioning itself – and is the flagship for motorcycle racing on the Grand Prix circuit. The international program is complemented by high-quality GT racing formats such as the DTM, GT World Challenge, and ADAC Racing Weekend – a dense spectrum of brand diversity, young talent development, and top-class motorsport. Those who like things a size bigger can admire the 1,000 hp race trucks at the Int. ADAC Truck Grand Prix. Festival and colorful paddock included. Historic motorsport also remains an integral part of the season. With the ADAC Nürburgring Classic, the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix, and the traditional ADAC 1,000 km race, the Nürburgring will continue to bridge the gap between the past and the present in 2026. Historic formula cars, touring car icons, and endurance classics remind us that motorsport history has been written here since 1927 – lively, loud, and with an unmistakable character. Festival, scene, communityHowever, the Nürburgring is much more than just racing. When around 90,000 music fans transform the Eifel into a festival sea at the sold-out Rock am Ring in June, a different facet of the area comes to the fore. Events such as the Nürburgring Drift Cup, GRIP – Das Motorevent, and Rad am Ring combine scene, participatory character, and passion for mobility in all its forms. There is also a premiere here: The Low Scty PS Arena, a community event at the Nürburgring, is celebrating its premiere, having already grown into a major event in Austria with thousands of fans. In addition, there are indoor highlights in the ring°arena and ring°boulevard – from darts at the Ring to Europe's largest e-darts tournament (DLMM) and from a job fair to the popular family day. This mix of top-class sport, entertainment, and community formats makes the 2026 season a diverse experience for a wide range of target groups – from die-hard motorsport fans to family outings. More than just watchingAnd even away from the major events, the Ring remains a place to experience: on well over 100 days, the Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit open their gates for tourist drives, after-work classics, or cycling and running meetups. Here, the spectator becomes the participant – an offer that makes the Nürburgring a new experience year after year. With established classics, international premieres, and clear diversity, the Nürburgring is starting a season that combines tradition and the future in equal measure. 2026 promises to be another year full of excitement, speed, and unforgettable moments.

Verstappen to compete in the 24h Nürburgring – special ticket offer planned for Oranje fans

09.03.2026

Max Verstappen will compete in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring for the first time in 2026. The Dutchman, who has long since secured his place in motorsport history with four Formula 1 world championship titles between 2021 and 2024, is thus taking on what is probably the greatest challenge in international endurance racing: the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The prominent newcomer to the starting grid will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing alongside Lucas Auer (AUT), Jules Gounon (FRA) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP). Verstappen has been preparing specifically for this since last year and has been systematically working on the necessary requirements for a start – including appearances on the Nordschleife and intensive preparation in SimRacing. The 24h Nürburgring is also rolling out the red carpet for fans of the champion, who is a national hero in his home country: a special ticket offer is being planned for them, with exclusive offers to be announced shortly. The Dutchman has been a proven Nordschleife enthusiast for years. In addition to his real-life driving experience in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), he has also gained extensive knowledge of the track and multi-class racing through SimRacing as part of the digital NLS. ‘“The Nürburgring is a special place. There is no other race track like it,“ says Verstappen, who also wants to compete in NLS2 before the 24-hour race. “The 24h Nürburgring has been on my wish list for a long time, so I’m very excited that we can now make it happen. Last year, I obtained my DMSB licence for the Nordschleife and was able to participate in NLS9, where we won. This preparation is very valuable, as we learned a lot that we can incorporate into this year’s programme. With Dani, Jules and Lucas, we have a strong line-up and are receiving great support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Now it’s a matter of making the right preparations before the events so that we can get the most out of ourselves in the races.” Consistent preparation for the 24-hour raceFor the organisers, Verstappen is first and foremost one thing: a participant like any other who, regardless of his name and reputation, had to prove his suitability for the most challenging race track in the world. Walter Hornung, race director of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, emphasises: “We are delighted that Max Verstappen is competing in the 24h Nürburgring. Like all the other starters across the various vehicle classes, he has fallen under the spell of this special race track. The fact that he is taking his start seriously and approaching it in an incredibly professional manner is already evident from his intensive preparation. He went through the normal qualification process without any special treatment, prepared himself with drives on the Nordschleife, completed the mandatory e-learning and familiarised himself intensively with the track with countless SimRacing laps. As organisers, we are just as excited as countless fans around the globe to see how well he will manage the transition from Formula 1 racing cars to this year’s particularly competitive GT3 class on the world’s toughest race track. The Nordschleife is the ultimate challenge in motorsport – and Max is taking it on!” Starting in a Mercedes-AMG GT3Verstappen will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in his first ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring race. The vehicle is one of two cars in the Mercedes-AMG performance line-up. The two GT3s fielded by Winward Racing will compete as Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL and under the Verstappen banner. The sister car with start number #80 also has an extremely strong line-up with Maro Engel (GER), Maxime Martin (BEL), Fabian Schiller and Luca Stolz (both GER). Four-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen has excellent teammates at his side in Auer, Gounon and Juncadella, who also come from the Mercedes-AMG performance squad. The #3 on the start number holder corresponds to his current Formula 1 start number in the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. The two GT3s thus form the spearhead of the Mercedes-AMG line-up, which will be complemented by AMG customer sports teams. Secure your event or VIP ticket now!

Maximum Action and Smoking Tires: The Nürburgring Drift Cup 2026 Promises New Superlatives 

08.03.2026

The engines are roaring, the tires are smoking, and adrenaline levels are rising: The Nürburgring Drift Cup 2026 by Skylimit Events is ready for takeoff, promising a season with massive fan interest. Featuring a high-caliber international starting field characterized by spectacular side-by-side battles and precise tandem drifting, spectators, drivers, and teams can expect a world-class year. The drift pilots will give their all on technically demanding high-speed layouts to hit the clipping points perfectly and claim the prestigious title.  The 2026 season focuses on the sporting challenge and the quality of the drift action. The combination of intense competition, international top drivers, and the unique flair of the Nordschleife makes the Nürburgring Drift Cup one of the most popular championships in the European drifting world.  Three Rounds of Pure Passion: The 2026 Calendar The championship will be contested in three intensive rounds that demand everything from the drivers. Fans can follow the heats live on-site or via the YouTube livestream.  ● Round 1: April 24 to 26 ● Round 2: July 31 to August 2 ● Round 3: September 4 to 6  The three main rounds of the 2026 season promise gripping action and pure adrenaline. The first round takes place from April 24 to 26, followed by the second round from July 31 to August 2. The season finale will be the third round from September 4 to 6, where the championship titles will be awarded.  A special highlight marks May 15: On the eve of the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, the Falken Drift Show transforms the racetrack into a madhouse of speed and style – an absolute must for every motorsport fan, guaranteeing breathtaking drift displays and spectacular maneuvers.  International Spectacle and Big Names at 180 kph The season opener in April is already setting new standards. Through cooperation with the European "Drift Kings" series, an impressive field is expected – in 2025, there were already over 80 pilots from 19 nations. One thing is certain: the 2025 champions plan to defend their titles in the new season – registration is now open.  The races are held on the iconic Müllenbachschleife. While the first two rounds utilize the classic layout with speeds of up to 180 kph in the "Schumacher S" and tight drifts through "Little Monaco", a special challenge awaits in the finale: a unique layout challenges the stars of the drift scene at 170 kph with precise gear changes from fifth down to second gear – pure vehicle control at the limit.  During the finale of the third round, drivers start on the section between the Ford Curve and the Goodyear Hairpin. Vehicles reach up to 170 kph before entering the hairpin after two "flicks" and a "big entry." At the end of the hairpin, there is a pivot point, meaning vehicles must shift from fifth to fourth gear in the Goodyear Hairpin, drop to second gear for the hairpin, and then accelerate back to fourth gear without losing the drift angle.  Opportunities for Pros and Newcomers To provide a stage for both established top pilots and up-and-coming talent, the field is divided into two categories:  ● PRO: The premier class for experienced pilots and high-performance bolides. ● CLUB: The ideal platform for vehicles with limited tire width and drivers looking to gain valuable competitive experience. (If the Drift Kings are present, PRO2 is the equivalent of CLUB.)  Additionally, the series promotes driver development through integrated Driftschool units on Fridays, as well as monthly test days in Zolder (Belgium) and Meppen (Germany).  The Format: Thrills in an Elimination System Excitement is guaranteed until the last second. Following Saturday's qualifying, the top 32 drivers in each class compete in head-to-head "Battles" on Sunday. In this knockout system, drivers must set the ideal line as the "Leader" and follow the opponent with maximum pressure as the "Chaser."  A jury decides victory or defeat based on four criteria: speed, line choice, drift angle, and individual style. High speed is crucial, just as in classic motorsport, but drivers must adhere to the jury's specified ideal line to achieve high scores. The Chaser must not only stay on the Leader's heels but also impress with aggressive driving.  In addition to podium finishes, special prizes such as "Best Chase Run" or "Most Exciting Driver" are awarded. The 2026 season will be more than just a championship – it is a test of precision, courage, and pure passion for motorsport.  Words From the Top Drivers PRO Champion Archie Hamer:  "2025 was a blast! We had many tense, mad moments but ended up taking the win with a clean sweep in the last round. I can’t thank all the organizers enough – the championship was well-run all year long, and I don't have one complaint. You don’t want to miss this year, as it’s going to be even more heated than last."  CLUB Champion Jack Gregory: "We started 2025 with the view of just having a go. It was our first ever attempt at competitive drifting, although we had been doing the highest level of UK drift demos. Archie Harmer, my team mate, persuaded me to come and have a go at round 1 in hope we got invited into the 24hr race demos. We did not expect to walk away from round 1 as the man to beat. It was a super surreal moment for us, and we certainly didn't envisage going on to win the championship, but it was worth it. The fans and new faces we met along the way, I will never forget." CLUB Champion Jack Gregory: "Andy [Jaenen] and his team are awesome, including the trackside team. They deserve a massive pat on the back! The championship is run like clockwork, and it's great to see. Myself and my team loved every moment of it, and it's moments we all cherish very close to our hearts. Our highlight was certainly round 1. We had no stress at all. We felt like the underdogs, so we had a lot of fun with it. I can't say the same for round 2 or 3, having a massive target on my back. Overall, the experience has been great. I would recommend the championship to everyone and anyone. The teams, the drivers, the staff are all such great people."  PRO Vice-Champion Denise Ritzmann: "For me, the Drift Cup is like coming home to a second family. I've been driving in the Drift Cup since its inception and wouldn't want to miss it. Familiar, perfect organization, and they always come up with something new, like different layouts. Benni as the announcer is also funny, and the spectators are included. Spectators should come because they will be welcomed into a giant family themselves. I look forward to having my second family back with me in April."  Expertise at the Judging Tower: The Jury of Legends Special attention is paid this year to the professional evaluation of the runs. We are pleased to present a jury that is unsurpassed in experience: ● Martin Reinsch (GER): A veteran of the German drift scene and a pioneer from the very beginning, he brings invaluable knowledge of technology and line choice. ● Jo Lammens (BEL): The first Belgian Drift Champion from 2006 accompanies the entire championship and will decide victory or defeat with his trained eye for precision. ● Mike Procureur (BEL): The head behind the "Drift Kings" championship reinforces the jury team exclusively in Round 1, underscoring the international significance of the event. ● The third jury seat for Rounds 2 and 3 will be announced at a later date.

The Green Hell awakens in March: Season kickoff from zero to sixty on the Nordschleife

24.02.2026

In March, the Nordschleife traditionally awakens from its winter hibernation – and this year, it's going from zero to one hundred right away. Starting on Saturday, March 7, the gates to the legendary 20.832 kilometers will reopen for tourist drives. The action continues over the following weekends: in addition to further dates for tourist drivers, there are two races in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (March 14 and 21). March will be rounded off with a joyful “Ally Pally” atmosphere at Darts am Ring on Saturday, March 28. These are the Nürburgring highlights in March: Season start for tourist drivers | March 7 & 8The starting signal for more than 170 days of tourist driving this year: On Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, the barriers to the Nordschleife will open for the first time in 2026. It is a cherished tradition that numerous tourist drivers and petrolheads meet at the track for this occasion – for the first laps together or the long-awaited reunion among like-minded people. And even after the opening weekend, the fun continues. From the following Sunday (March 15), the Nordschleife will be open almost every day in March. As usual, anyone can take to the Nordschleife or Grand Prix circuit in their own vehicle during tourist drives. Prices remain stable: a lap on the Nordschleife from Friday to Sunday costs €35, as before, and a lap during the week costs €30. A stint (15 minutes) on the Grand Prix circuit costs €35 for motorcyclists and car drivers alike. Important note: A new emergency number applies from this season: +49 (0) 2691 302 9111. Season opener ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series | March 14 & 21Two races in seven days and a colorful starting field: The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) is kicking off the new season at full throttle. Immediately after the season opener on Saturday, March 14, the second race will take place the following weekend (March 21). The second date was set at short notice to take advantage of a gap in the Formula 1 calendar. After all, superstar Max Verstappen is planning to participate in the 24-hour race this year and would potentially like to compete in this NLS race as preparation. He is not alone in this: especially in the first races of the year, the top cars of the major endurance teams are always strongly represented in view of the big highlight of the season. Fans can therefore look forward to a particularly large number of GT cars from Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG. The ticket for €25 (children under 14 free) includes admission to the paddock, the starting grid, and all spectator areas. If you want to treat yourself to an upgrade, first-class catering and the best seats are available with the “RACE&LUNCH” ticket (€190) or the full VIP package (€285) – the latter even includes a guided bus tour of the Nordschleife shortly before the start of the race. Darts am Ring Gala | March 28Ally Pally goes Green Hell: On Saturday, March 28, the ring°arena will once again be transformed into a madhouse of celebrating darts fans. For the fifth time, the world's elite of flying darts will be guests at the “Darts am Ring Gala” in the Eifel. They will be frenetically cheered on by thousands of fans of the sport in the indoor location of the Nürburgring. This year's line-up for the official PDC event is led by former world champion Luke Humphries and reigning vice world champion Gian van Veen. Also taking part are stars such as Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, and Germany's “Maximiser” Max Hopp, all of whom competed in this year's World Championship. If you still want to be there, you should hurry: only a few tickets are still available for the darts spectacle at the Nürburgring – starting at just €30. These can be purchased online at nuerburgring.de. The Nürburgring highlights in March 2026: 07. & 08. March: Saisonstart Touristenfahrten Nordschleife 14. March: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Race 1  21. March: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Race 2 28. March: RCN / GLP – Run 1 28. March: Darts am Ring Gala

Advance ticket sales for the 2026 Nürburgring 24-hour race have begun

19.11.2025

The countdown to the 2026 racing season is on: tickets for next year's major Nürburgring events have been on sale since 17 November. In addition to the legendary ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from 14 to 17 May 2026, the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers from 17 to 19 April 2026 will also be available online in the revamped Nürburgring ticket shop. When advance sales begin, the classic ticket categories – from day tickets to race and weekend tickets to event tickets – will be offered first. The new convenient and particularly user-friendly ticket platform naturally offers a Print@Home option as well as digital tickets for smartphones. The ticket structure successfully introduced this year will be retained: day tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday will be supplemented by race tickets valid on Saturday and Sunday. Multi-day options also include the weekend ticket (Friday – Sunday) and the popular event ticket (Thursday – Sunday). The digital ticket has proven its worth and will continue to be used in 2026. It enables uncomplicated access control directly via QR code at the entrance, thus greatly simplifying the process on site. Parking, camping and combination tickets Next year, it will once again be possible to reserve parking spaces in advance. This offer can be easily added when purchasing an event ticket. The popular combination ticket with the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is also returning and is expected to go on sale before Christmas, giving racing fans twice the treat. The newly created Family&Friends area at the Müllenbachschleife was a great success in 2025. The offer is currently being optimised in collaboration with the Nürburgring, with advance sales scheduled to start in spring 2026. ADAC North Rhine-Westphalia and the Nürburgring are also working on a further improvement: they are currently examining whether camping tickets for the temporary campsites around the Nordschleife can also be offered in advance sales in future. Same price structure, same fairness Ticket prices for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026 and the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers will remain at the same level as last year. Visitors will continue to benefit from discounted advance sales prices. A surcharge of five euros applies at the box office. Ticket prices for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026 Ticket Validity Standard* Reduced** Event ticket Thursday – Sunday €74.00 €45.00 Weekend ticket Friday – Sunday €69.00 €42.00 Race ticket Saturday – Sunday €62.00 €38.00 Day tickets Thursday €37.00 €24.00   Friday €37.00 €24.00   Sunday €35.00 €21.00 *) Advance ticket price. From Monday, 11 May 2026, 8:00 a.m., a surcharge of five euros will be added to the advance ticket prices. **) Children up to and including the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Young people up to and including the age of 15 and guests with disabilities pay the reduced price. One accompanying person per guest with a ‘B’ or ‘H’ ID card also pays the reduced admission price at the box office. Ticket prices for the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers 2026 Ticket Validity Standard Reduced** Weekend ticket Friday – Sunday €45.00 €25.00 Day tickets Friday €10.00 €6.00   Saturday €27.00 €16.00   Sunday €27.00 €16.00 **) Children up to and including the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Young people up to and including the age of 15 and guests with disabilities pay the reduced price. An accompanying person of guests with ‘B’ and ‘H’ ID cards also pays the reduced admission price at the box office.

Presale for the 53rd BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix is now open!

19.11.2025

Dive into Germany’s most beautiful and thrilling journey through motorsport history – on both the Grand Prix circuit and the legendary Nordschleife. From pre-war racing machines to the single-seaters, Grand Prix cars and supercars of the 1950s and 1960s, all the way to the touring cars and GT racers of the former DTM and DRM: this irresistible blend guarantees heart-pounding, wheel-to-wheel action in full colour at the Nürburgring during the 53rd BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix. One of the many highlights already in preparation is the spectacular one-hour Saturday evening race, rounded off by a fireworks display at the chequered flag! The icons of motorsport history can also be experienced up close in the Grand Prix paddock. This is living history at your fingertips: fans can meet motorsport legends at autograph sessions and look over the shoulders of old-school mechanics as they work. The paddock also offers rare memorabilia and period-correct motorsport accessories.A perfectly fitting backdrop awaits in the Historic Paddock, with cars built up to the 1950s, while on the opposite side the exclusive gathering of top marques in the AMG Arena delivers pure fascination. All of this returns on the traditional date: the second weekend of August – 7 to 9 August 2026. Day tickets are now here available in advance from 29.00 Euro, while a full weekend ticket costs 79.00 Euro. Especially attractive for families: children and young people up to and including 17 years of age enjoy free admission!

Tickets for 2026 now available – anticipation for the new season begins

17.11.2025

The first tickets for the 2026 Nürburgring season are now available. Fans can already secure their seats for selected event highlights – and thus officially start looking forward to a new motorsport year. Even though the current season is only just coming to an end, preparations for 2026 are already in full swing. With the start of ticket sales, the stage is set for a year full of thrilling races, unique experiences and unforgettable moments at the Nürburgring. Whether traditional major events or popular crowd pullers: the first events are now available in the ticket shop, offering fans early planning security for the coming season. Secure your tickets now and start the countdown to 2026! ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring | Event ticket & VIP ADAC 24h Qualifiers | Event ticket & VIP BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix | Event ticket & VIP ADAC Truck Grand Prix | Event ticket & VIP Rock am Ring | VIP DTM | VIP & RACE&LUNCH

100 years of the Nürburgring | October 30, 1925: The naming

30.10.2025

Today, on October 30, 1925, exactly 100 years ago, our race track was given its name. In 1925, a public competition was held to find a suitable name, and numerous suggestions were received.The decisive idea came from the then Prussian district president, Dr. Francis Kruse: “Nürburg-Ring.” On October 30, 1925, this name was officially given to the track – and today it is known worldwide. 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!

NLS 10: Wüstenhagen and Mijatovic are champions in 2025

11.10.2025

Radiant winners in gloomy weather conditions: The champions of the 2025 season of the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie are called Nick Wüstenhagen and Ranko Mijatovic. At the end of an exhausting season, the duo’s second place in the BMW M4 GT4 from FK Performance Motorsport in the tenth race of the season, after nine victories in a row, was enough to secure the title. For the team from Bremen, which has been competing in the NLS for 13 years, it is the first title in the popular endurance series. The last overall victory of the season went to Falken Motorsports. Dorian Boccolacci crossed the finish line after 4:01:30.077 hours, 22.281 seconds ahead of Nico Menzel in the sister car. The man from Kelberg was in action in both Porsche 911 GT3 R of the team and thus finished both first and second, the latter alongside Joel Sturm. The Haupt Racing Team confirmed the upward trend with the third consecutive podium finish for the Ford Mustang GT3. “I hoped that I would be able to defend the title. But you can’t plan something like that,” said Mijatovic. “I wanted to return to FK Performance Motorsport and with Nick it was a mega driver combination.” Mijatovic is, after record champion Johannes Scheid, the first driver to succeed in defending the title after changing cars. Scheid drove an Autobianchi A112 in 1980 and a Fiat 127 Sport in 1981, Mijatovic switched from the BMW M240i Racing to the BMW M4 GT4. Great joy over championship number one also for Wüstenhagen: “We worked towards the title. In the end, however, it was a lot of work. For me it’s the first time, and it’s slowly becoming real what we have achieved. My goal is of course to build on this success next year. But that also has to fit into my professional everyday life. We’ll see where the journey goes.” At the beginning of the season, Tobias Wahl was also part of today’s championship team. After a bicycle accident, however, the 39-year-old local hero from Remagen was forced to watch from NLS7 onward. In his place, Reinhold Renger contested the remaining season. “We as FK Performance have been competing in the NLS since 2013 and it makes us very proud to now be the ones to provide the champions here. This was definitely not the unlucky 13th year for us, because it is one of our greatest successes,” grinned team boss Martin Kaemena. “Congratulations to Martin and his team,” said Matthias Unger, who with his team Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels had produced the champions over the past seven years. “In the coming season they will be the hunted ones and we will do everything to win the title back.” Adrenalin Motorsport, however, does not go empty-handed this year either. Philipp Leisen, Philipp Stahlschmidt and Daniel Zils won the Produktionswagen-Trophäe of the NLS by a wide margin. The trio achieved six class victories in the VT2-RWD with the BMW 330i. Mühlner Motorsport wins the PETNThe runners-up title was secured by Tim Scheerbarth and Arne Hoffmeister in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Mühlner Motorsport. With their seventh win of the season, together with David Jahn, the trio also won the overall classification of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring. The title in the Cup 3 class of the PETN went to Joshua Bednarski and Lorenz Stegmann, who piloted the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS of W&S Motorsport. Things got really exciting again at the end in the Junior Trophy of the NLS. Noah Nagelsdiek from Alsdorf near Aachen was able to celebrate in the end – even though there was no final race result to count. The 25-year-old retired in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of LOSCH Motorsport by BLACK FALCON shortly before the end of the race. Luck in misfortune: his fiercest rival in the title fight, Harley Haughton (20) in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS of SRS Team Sorg Rennsport, suffered the same fate in the first half of the race. Thus, Nagelsdiek ultimately kept the upper hand by just one point. The fastest gentleman of the season was Heiko Eichenberg. The 51-year-old teammate of Haughton prevailed, among others, against the two veterans Joachim and Jürgen Nett, who competed in the Audi S3 of Dupré Motorsport Engineering in the VT2-F+4WD and secured the class winner’s trophy for themselves. A step ahead of her fatherThe NLS Ladies Trophy 2026 goes to Janina Schall. The 20-year-old, competing for the team “Girls only – Ready to rock the Green Hell”, drove her second season in the NLS and is already one step ahead of her well-known father Ralf Schall. The veteran achieved five overall and 106 class victories – most of them in the cult Mercedes-Benz 190E – but never won a title in his long endurance career. “That’s now a point where I can tease my father a bit,” grinned Schall. “And I hope this won’t be my last title. The Girls-Only team was and is exactly right for me for entering the NLS. I’ve learned a lot – not only in driving, but also beyond that.” The Goodyear Award for the most successful vehicle that used tires from NLS partner Goodyear this year goes to the BMW M240i Racing of PTerting Sports by Up2Race, driven in the finale by Jannick Reinhard, John Van Der Sande and ‘Alboretto’. The first champion of the newly introduced BMW 325i Challenge by Goodyear this year is Moran Gott (Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels). The Israeli achieved nine victories, six of them as a solo driver. Second and third places go to Eugen Becker (JS Competition) and Juha Miettinen, Dan Berghult and Oliver Frisse (Keeevin Sports and Racing). Falken Motorsports ends the season with a dream resultThe two Falken Porsches were the benchmark this year. The team celebrated not only its fifth win, but four times the 911s finished first and second as well.The car with start number #3 secured victory in the NLS Speed Trophy ahead of the #4. For his performance – finishing both first and second under demanding and partly wet conditions in the Green Hell – Menzel was voted “Driver of the Race” by the race management, the Drivers’ Association of the ILN (Interessengemeinschaft Langstrecke Nürburgring), and the track commentators.“Nico delivered an exceptional performance today,” said Alex Böhm, board member of the ILN. “He drove both spectacularly and with great care in these conditions. That impressed us all.” Menzel, who celebrated his third NLS victory, was thrilled by the award: “It means a lot to me to receive this prize, especially considering which panel awards it. Being nominated by true experts is fantastic.” Mike Jäger draws a positive conclusion“The NLS has had a very good season. There were many highlights on and off the track that participants and fans will remember for a long time,” said VLN Managing Director Mike Jäger. “Max Verstappen in the NLS was, of course, a huge deal, but also the premiere of the NLS Youth Kart Championship or our paddock parties with participants and marshals were among my personal highlights. We achieved new record numbers both for spectators on site and in the live streams. That motivates my team and me to keep pushing full throttle over the winter. We have a number of ideas we want to implement next year – after all, we’ll be celebrating our 50th season in the Green Hell.” The ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie will start its jubilee year on March 14, 2026 – the 50th season in the Green Hell. After that, seven more dates with nine races will follow. Following their successful inclusion last year and this year, the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers will again count towards the championship in 2026.The virtual competition will continue as early as October 24, 2025. The third race of the Community Cup of the Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie will run over three hours and promises thrilling racing, broadcast live at vln.de.