An exuberant "Darts at the Ring Gala" in the ring°arena, two well-attended premiere days of the 2024 Touristenfahrten on the Nordschleife: the Nürburgring got the new season off to a successful start at the weekend. While countless drivers completed their first laps of the year on the asphalt, around 3,500 fans celebrated their darts idols on Saturday evening. Next weekend, the motorsport season opener awaits in the Green Hell. The Nürburgring Endurance Series (NES) will make its debut with free admission for all fans.
Ally Pally atmosphere at the Nürburgring: thousands of fans of the flying darts once again transformed the ring°arena into a darts temple at the weekend. Wearing the jerseys of their favorite players or creatively disguised as dwarfs or targets, they experienced exciting matches between the sport's famous stars. Two world champions were among the participants who were celebrated at ringside: While Michael Smith was able to put on the crown of darts in 2023, Luke Humphries, the reigning world champion, also came to the Nürburgring. The latter can already look forward to his next trip to the Eifel. As Humphries, like many others, would like to drive around the legendary Nordschleife, the Nürburgring officials gave him a gift with plenty of horsepower. The reigning darts world champion was invited to co-drive through the famous Green Hell. He will soon be speeding along the 20.832 kilometers - in the passenger seat of the "Beast of the Green Hell", the Mercedes-AMG GT R PRO from the Nürburgring Driving Academy. The darts stars got a little Ring fever before the Darts am Ring gala with virtual laps in the Nürburgring eSports Bar and a seat test in a real formula car.
Meanwhile, the darts stars fought exciting duels on the stage of the ring°arena. In crisp, short games based on the "best-of-seven" principle, a large number of matches ended with extremely close results. In the end - how could it be otherwise on a racetrack at the moment - a Dutchman came out on top. Dirk van Duijvenbode was crowned the winner of the Darts am Ring Gala 2024.
Children from the region were allowed on stage as "run-in children"
Meanwhile, Darts am Ring was a very special experience for four children from the region. Johanna, Leonardo, Moritz and Tom were allowed to join the big stars on stage as "run-in kids". They had won the chance to take part thanks to their creative entries in the Nürburgring painting competition. A moment they are guaranteed not to forget in a hurry.
Outlook: NES kicks off the motorsport season
The Nürburgring is now set for a fast-paced season: next weekend, the new Nürburgring Endurance Serie invites you to get to know it. In addition to GT racing cars and production-based touring cars on the track, the vehicles and drivers can also be experienced up close in the paddock. In addition, admission to the ring°werk motorsport experience museum and parking are free on both days.