08.10.2026
The Nürburgring is heading towards a very special year: in 2027, the legendary racetrack will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone, visitors can look forward to a diverse event calendar that showcases the full spectrum of experiences the Nürburgring has to offer. Major motorsport highlights on the Nordschleife and Grand-Prix-Strecke will be complemented by a varied program of indoor events, entertainment, music, sporting challenges, and experiences for the whole family. One of the key highlights of the anniversary year will be the “100 Years Nürburgring – Fan Event” on June 19 and 20. On June 19 and 20, 2027, the Nürburgring will be dedicated entirely to celebrating its 100th anniversary. The major Fan Event will welcome Nürburgring and motorsport enthusiasts, families, and local residents alike. Motorsport from different eras, action on and off the track, and numerous interactive activities will bring the history and present-day spirit of the Nürburgring to life. The focus is not only on looking back at 100 eventful years, but above all on enjoying a shared weekend at a venue that has inspired and connected people across generations. Major Motorsport Highlights in the Anniversary YearNaturally, motorsport will remain at the heart of the event calendar during the anniversary year. On the Nordschleife, the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring (RCN), and the Gleichmäßigkeitsprüfung (GLP) will provide racing action throughout the entire season. The season highlight takes place from May 27 to 30: during the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the combination of Nordschleife and Grand-Prix-Strecke will once again become the stage for one of the biggest motorsport events of the year. The Grand-Prix-Strecke will also host a top-class program. The Int. Shell ADAC Truck-Grand-Prix will bring race trucks, festival atmosphere, and a diverse supporting program to the Eifel from July 9 to 11. In August, two further major motorsport weekends follow: first, the DTM will visit the Nürburgring from August 20 to 22, followed one week later by the GT World Challenge Powered by AWS from August 27 to 29. Motorsport History on the RacetrackIn keeping with the 100th anniversary, the Nürburgring’s rich heritage will also play a special role in the 2027 event calendar. From June 11 to 13, the ADAC Nürburgring Classic will bring racing cars from various eras back onto the track. The Eifelrennen on July 31 and August 1 will likewise celebrate the Nürburgring’s long motorsport tradition. From August 13 to 15, the BELMOT Oldtimer-Grand-Prix, one of the most prestigious historic motorsport events, will take center stage. The ADAC 1000 km Rennen from September 17 to 19 will complete the late-summer lineup of historic motorsport events. Rock am Ring and Major Entertainment in the ring°arenaThe 2027 event calendar also demonstrates that the Nürburgring offers far more than motorsport. Leading the lineup is one of Germany’s largest music festivals: from June 4 to 6, Rock am Ring will once again transform the venue into a massive festival city, attracting tens of thousands of music fans to the Eifel. Indoor entertainment will also offer plenty of variety. While sports fans will be cheering on the action at the Darts am Ring Gala on March 13, comedy fans can look forward to Bülent Ceylan on June 12. Other sporting highlights include the international karate tournament Rhein Shiai, the German Taekwondo Championship, and several cheerleading competitions, which will once again bring impressive displays of sport, acrobatics, and showmanship to the ring°arena in 2027. From Rad am Ring to XLETIX: Taking on Sporting ChallengesThe Nürburgring anniversary year offers plenty of opportunities not only to watch, but also to get actively involved. From July 23 to 25, the Nordschleife will once again belong to cyclists during Rad am Ring. The demanding circuit will become the ultimate test of endurance for thousands of participants. A completely different challenge awaits from September 25 to 26 at the XLETIX Challenge. Obstacles, mud, and team spirit are at the heart of this obstacle-course event. At XLETIX Kids, younger participants can also look forward to an adventure of their own. Offers for the Whole FamilyFamilies will also play an important role in the 2027 event calendar. Many of the major events already feature family-friendly supporting programs. These are complemented by additional activities and experiences around the Nürburgring, attracting visitors of all generations to the Eifel and creating opportunities for shared experiences. In its 100th year, the Nürburgring once again brings together everything that makes the venue unique: motorsport and history, music and entertainment, sporting challenges, and experiences for the entire family. As a result, the 2027 event calendar makes the anniversary year a memorable experience both on and off the racetrack. 2027 Events at a Glance
08.10.2026
The finale is only the beginning: When the chequered flag falls on the 2026 DTM season next Sunday, the focus will already be turning to the 2027 season. Directly after the final race, ticket sales will open, kicking off the anticipation for all eight events next year. From 6 p.m., fans can secure the best seats for 2027. Tickets remain available from just 49 euros – and children and teenagers under the age of 16 can even experience the DTM for free when accompanied by an adult. Being quick pays off twice: The first 15,000 ticket buyers will receive a high-quality BWT Pro-Climate-Bottle free of charge. The exclusive extra will be handed out on site at the respective DTM event booked. ADAC members will also benefit again in 2027: During the presale, they can save ten percent on DTM tickets. The DTM has something for the whole family – with spectacular battles on track and unforgettable experiences away from the asphalt. During the Pitwalk, visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the DTM, while the “Meet the Drivers” autograph session gives them the chance to get up close to their stars. The DTM Fan Zone features Europe’s largest mobile ball pit, a Reaction Wall, selfie spots, a 360-degree camera and a giant screen. Free concerts at selected events make the race weekend an experience for visitors of all ages. A unique DTM highlight is the Track Safari, where visitors travel around the racetrack by coach during a practice session – you simply can’t get any closer. The season gets underway from 23 to 25 April 2027 at the Red Bull Ring presented by VKB-Bank in Austria. Throughout the season, the DTM will take its fans across Germany, Austria and the Netherlands: eight race weekends, 16 championship races and plenty of thrilling motorsport action. The big showdown will take place from 8 to 10 October at the traditional season finale at Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. The DTM will make a stop with us from 20 to 22 August 2027. Now is the time to act: secure your top seats and start looking forward to thrilling racing and the unique DTM atmosphere. The first 15,000 ticket buyers will also receive the exclusive BWT bottle. And for those already thinking about Christmas, DTM tickets are more than just admission – they are the gift of a thrilling experience packed with emotion.
06.10.2026
Safety at the Nürburgring is the result of many components that must work together reliably in day-to-day operations. Alongside our own staff and extensive technical infrastructure, specialist companies play a key role in this. The Nürburgring will therefore continue to rely on tried-and-tested partners who have been familiar with the specific requirements of the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit, as well as on-site procedures, for many years. Long-term agreements have now been concluded with Riedel Communications, Lenz Abschleppdienst, E-Unit and Nett Stahl- und Metallbau. Three partnerships will now continue until the end of 2031, whilst the collaboration with Nett will run until the end of 2034. In doing so, the Nürburgring is prioritising continuity and planning certainty – whilst also focusing on the joint further development of key areas relating to the safe and reliable operation of the circuits. “We have been working together successfully and in a spirit of trust with Riedel, Lenz, E-Unit and Nett for many years. Particularly when it comes to safety and when swift and reliable action is required at a critical moment, it is important to have the right people in the right places,” says Nürburgring Managing Director Ingo Böder. “Our partners know the Nürburgring, its specific requirements and the on-site procedures – and, above all, we know each other personally and know that we can rely on one another. Behind all this are people who bring a wealth of experience and passion to the job. That is why we are continuing these partnerships in the long term, thereby laying the foundations for the joint further development of our processes.” Communication: Riedel connects those involved on and off the trackRiedel Communications plays a central role in on-site communication. The company provides key components of the digital communications infrastructure at the Nürburgring and is responsible for its operation and technical support. This includes, amongst other things, professional digital radio systems and the intercom infrastructure. These enable communication between different stakeholders and operational areas during events and track operations. The partnership between Riedel and the Nürburgring has been in place for many years and will continue under the new contract from 2027 until the end of 2031. Recovery: Lenz provides rapid assistance on the race trackIf a vehicle on the race track is no longer able to continue under its own power, the Lenz recovery service is called into action. The company provides recovery and towing services at various motorsport events, as well as at other Nürburgring events such as public driving sessions, the After Work Classics, test and development runs, track days and driver training courses. A specialised fleet is on hand to handle the wide range of possible tasks, enabling the recovery of racing and formula cars as well as vehicles with alternative powertrains. Speed is crucial, particularly in the event of an incident: for instance, when demand increases, additional recovery vehicles must be made available at short notice. The long-term partnership will continue for a further five years, from early 2027 to the end of 2031. Specialised technology: E-Unit provides fire-fighting and recovery vehiclesAnother key component is the ‘E-Unit’s’ specialised fire-fighting and recovery vehicles. These are deployed for exclusive hire, commercial use or at major events on the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife – for example, during test and development runs, track days and driver training courses. The vehicles supplement the existing infrastructure with specialised equipment for specific operational situations, such as rapid sanding in the event of fluid spills or fire-fighting operations. Here, too, both parties are committed to a long-term approach: the new agreement begins on 1 January 2027 and will initially run until 31 December 2031. Safety barriers: Nett maintains crash barriers and fencesNett Stahl- und Metallbau is responsible for another visible aspect of track safety. The company undertakes work relating to the installation, inspection and repair of safety barriers on and along the race tracks. This includes, in particular, crash barriers and fences. The work is carried out in accordance with the current technical specifications of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). If safety-related repairs are required at short notice on the circuit, Nett is quickly on site to ensure that racing can continue safely. The company keeps the necessary spare parts in stock for this work to guarantee safe operations at the Nürburgring. With a contract term running from 1 January 2027 to the end of 2034, this partnership is designed to be particularly long-term.
01.10.2026
The Winamax Sports Betting European Darts Galas are set to return in 2027, promising yet another series of exceptional evenings of darts across Germany. At eleven different venues, world-class darts will be combined with spectacular show elements, special moments and the unique atmosphere that characterises PDC Europe’s gala events. The European Darts Galas thus complement PDC Europe’s traditional tournament calendar with a format that focuses on the shared experience – with the stars up close to the fans and darts at its most entertaining. In 2027, this special darts experience will once again be brought to the stage in collaboration with Winamax Sports Betting, a strong partner and the title sponsor of the European Darts Galas. 13 evenings, 11 venues, plenty of dartsThe series kicks off in Wetzlar on 8 January and in Erfurt on 9 January, before the 2027 European Darts Galas make stops in Frankfurt, Neu-Ulm, at the Nürburgring, in Bamberg, Magdeburg, Hildesheim, Lingen, Jena and Bremen. A total of 13 gala evenings are on the programme. Numerous stars from the international darts scene will be taking part. Among others, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen and Nathan Aspinall will be providing special moments at the 2027 European Darts Galas. The exact line-ups for the individual events will be announced in the coming weeks. A special highlight awaits at two venues: in both Hildesheim and Lingen, the European Darts Gala will take place over two consecutive evenings. Having featured in the gala calendar in 2026, the double-header format in Lingen and Hildesheim will continue in 2027 due to high demand. The aim is: entertainmentAs in previous years, the European Darts Galas do not focus on sporting competition for ranking points or prize money. Instead, they centre on what makes darts so special: entertainment, getting up close to the stars and a shared experience with the fans. Trickshots and spontaneous show moments add variety and make the gala evenings a special experience away from the traditional tournament setting. Philip Brzezinski, Sports Director at PDC Europe, emphasises: “Personally, I always look forward to the gala evenings with the fans. With the European Darts Galas, we are deliberately creating a setting in which our players can showcase their sporting prowess from a completely different angle. For the players, this means less tournament pressure and more scope for entertainment, interaction and extraordinary moments.” Tickets for the Winamax Sports Betting European Darts Galas 2027 are expected to be available from the end of October. Anyone who registers for the pre-sale now will receive exclusive access to tickets before the official sale begins. Darts am Ring | 13 March 2027
01.10.2026
After the Rassrück section, the southern loop continued up the mountain – becoming increasingly steep as it went. Just before the “Scharfer Kopf” hill, the drivers faced a gradient of up to 17 per cent – the steepest section of the regular circuit, that is, the standard race track excluding the steep section leading to the Hohe Acht, which features gradients of up to 27 per cent. Once this extreme gradient had been conquered, the track was laid around the Scharfer Kopf, which can be seen from the Grand Prix circuit. During construction work in this area, shards of urns were discovered – one of several sites where, whilst the track was being built, relics from long-past eras of the Eifel’s history came to light. After the Scharfen Kopf, the track ran straight ahead for a while, though not on tarmac but on special concrete from kilometre 6 onwards. Shortly after a bridge, the back straight began, leading the drivers round the rear of the start-and-finish straight towards the back straight. At the end of the back straight, the Nordkehre was built, from which drivers could head back onto the start-and-finish loop or towards the Hatzenbach section – we’ll be looking at this distinctive bend, as well as the first few kilometres of the Nordschleife, in the next instalment of this series. ℹ️ The Nürburgring opened in 1927. On our #Roadto100 we will continue to look back on key milestones in our long history as we approach our big anniversary year!
01.10.2026
According to an analysis by the travel company Fit Reisen, the Nürburgring is the most popular attraction among Gen Z in Germany. With around 109,000 TikTok posts, we have raced to the top of the German ranking and also secured a place in the European Top 10. For us, it’s a special honor to see how many people share their #HeartRace moments on social media. At the same time, it motivates us to keep pushing forward at full speed! 💚 ℹ️ The analysis conducted by Fit Reisen included 2,278 of the most relevant attractions across nine categories, including amusement parks, natural attractions, landmarks, historic sites, and museums. To assess TikTok popularity, a hashtag was created for each attraction and the number of TikTok posts associated with that hashtag was determined using a Google site search. 👉🏼 You can find more information here. Source: Fit Reisen
29.09.2026
There’s plenty happening in the Eifel in October: the colourful autumn leaves falling from the trees, the temperatures dropping at night – and championship decisions being made on the tarmac. So in golden October, a visit to the legendary race track is once again particularly worthwhile. Whilst there are racing cars of all kinds to admire on the tarmac during the season finale of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (10 October), the European TimeAttack Masters (11 October), the ADAC Westfalen Trophy (16 to 18 October) and the ADAC RGB season finale (3 & 4 October), racing cars of all kinds will be on display, whilst the ring°boulevard will be all about the many beaming children’s eyes during the Nürburgring Family Day (25 October). Furthermore, the Green Hell Driving Days (2 to 4 October) have now become a tradition, heralding the start of the autumn season for amateur drivers on the Nordschleife. Here are the Nürburgring highlights for October: Green Hell Driving Days | 2 to 4 October 2026The second Green Hell Driving Days of the year are just around the corner. And, as has now become tradition, they herald the start of the autumn season for amateur drivers – three consecutive days on the Nordschleife, from Friday to Sunday, continuously from 08:00 to 19:00. The Grand Prix circuit will also be open all day for public driving sessions on Friday 2 October. Up to eleven hours of driving pleasure per day offer ample opportunity to experience the legendary Nürburgring circuits for yourself. As usual, a lap of the Nordschleife or a 15-minute stint on the Grand Prix circuit costs €35.00. Credit for the drives can be purchased online or on-site. The gates to the Nordschleife will remain open until mid-November this year. The last scheduled date is Sunday, 15 November. ADAC RGB Season Finale | 3–4 October 2026 For decades, the ADAC RGB Season Finale has brought together thrilling grassroots motorsport with exceptional line-ups at the Nürburgring – from the familiar touring cars to the little darlings in the ‘Battle of the Dwarfs’ and the Youngtimer Trophy. All tickets include access to the paddock, where behind-the-scenes glimpses of the teams and genuine motoring chat are guaranteed. Day tickets for adults cost 28.00 euros at the box office; teenagers (aged 13–18) pay 17.00 euros; and children up to and including the age of 12 enjoy free entry. ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie | 10 OctoberThe season finale of a successful season for the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is just around the corner: Verstappen hype in the spring, consistently full starting grids and always brilliant racing on the world’s most beautiful circuit. On the second weekend of October (10 October), the Nürburgring’s flagship series will contest its final round of 2026 on the Nordschleife. The race cars – including numerous GTs and touring cars – will battle through the Green Hell for four hours. The prize is the final victory of the year – but above all, the coveted championship title. A mere four points separate the two leading teams in the overall standings: the trio of Bugane, Fübrich and Markert in the BMW M240i and the duo of Fielenbach and Sandberg in the Cup 3 Porsche, a 718 Cayman GT4 CS. A championship thriller is shaping up right down to the very last corner. And with a ticket for a reasonable €25.00, anyone can experience the action up close. This grants visitors access to the grandstands, the paddock and the starting grid before the race begins. Children up to the age of 14 can even enjoy the motorsport action for free. The Nürburgring also offers exclusive VIP experiences, including catering, on-site support and a guided bus tour immediately before the race. European TimeAttack Masters & Tuning Masters | 11 October 2026 One day after the NLS final, the Grand Prix circuit will host a showdown between Europe’s tuning scene. At the European TimeAttack Masters, Europe’s best time-attack drivers will compete against one another to determine the fastest in their respective vehicle classes in a race against the clock. Running in parallel are the German TimeAttack Masters and the Tuning Masters. Spectators can look forward to a bustling paddock, roaring engines and a colourful supporting programme featuring free track time, a dynamometer, spectacular drift shows and a dazzling tuning contest. Day tickets are available to visitors for €20.00. ADAC Westfalen Trophy | 16 to 18 October 2026In the middle of the month, the ADAC Westfalen Trophy – the final weekend of the ADAC Racing Weekend – will once again showcase the full spectrum of modern and historic circuit racing on the Nürburgring’s Grand Prix circuit. With racing series such as the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy (STT), in which GTs and touring cars compete against each other, the ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup, the Porsche Club Historic Challenge, the Triumph Competition and the Belcar Historic Cup, action on the track is guaranteed all day long. Day tickets are available from as little as 10.00 euros (Friday) and 20.00 euros (Saturday/Sunday), whilst the weekend ticket also costs a family-friendly 28.00 euros (children under 12 go free). Nürburgring Family Day | 25 October 2026On the last weekend in October, the Nürburgring will once again become a huge adventure playground for young and old alike. From 10.00 to 17.00, Family Day will attract visitors to the ring°boulevard and the ring°carré with a varied programme: weather-proof, free of charge and full of colour. In the spacious indoor venues around the start-and-finish straight, a large promenade and hands-on activities are once again waiting to be discovered. On the large RPR1. stage, entertainment will be provided by the Nürburgring mascot Legend and his mascot friends, interactive musician Uwe Reetz, football artist Jannik Freestyle, a trio of magicians and rousing cheerleading. In addition, test drives in real Formula racing cars, motorbike shows, go-kart slaloms, emergency vehicles from the fire brigade, police and ambulance services, as well as bouncy castles, wheels of fortune and more, are sure to set the hearts of children and adults alike racing. The Nürburgring highlights in October 2026: 02. – 04. October: Green Hell Driving Days 03. – 04. October: ADAC RGB Saisonfinale 10. October: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie 11. October: European TimeAttack Masters & Tuning Masters 16. – 18. October: ADAC Westfalen Trophy 24. October: RCN / GLP 25. October: Nürburgring Familientag
22.09.2026
The penultimate round of the 2026 Nürburgring Circuit Challenge (RCN) will take place on Saturday 26 September on the 24.358-kilometre circuit configuration of the Nürburgring (Nordschleife + GP short link). The ‘Preis der Erftquelle’ special stage, organised by SfG Schönau e.V. within the ADAC, will consist of 16 laps covering a distance of 389.728 kilometres. The start will take place at 12.30 pm on the start-and-finish straight of the GP circuit. Just under 160 entries have been received for this round of the grassroots racing series. RCN series manager Willi Hillebrand: “We are slowly approaching the end of the season. If the weather is on our side again, we’ll be in for an exciting event and will see the first decisive moments in the championship.” The 16 laps of the performance test at the legendary Nürburgring are made up as follows: 1 setting lap, 2 confirmation laps, 12 sprint laps and 1 cool-down lap. Refuelling takes place in the pit lane; all cars are only permitted to refuel during the sprint laps and must adhere to the prescribed total pit stop time of 10 minutes. If this time is not met, 10 penalty points are awarded for every second. The maximum total driving time for this RCN event is 225 minutes. With 24 cars, the R4 class is once again the largest on the starting grid. Sixteen entrants have entered the R2A class. Eleven cars have been entered in the H4 class. Nine teams are set to compete in each of the H3 and RS4 classes. The current RCN championship leaders for 2026 are Sven Markert and Lars Harbeck (both from Berlin, driving a BMW 320i) in the H3 class, a class the pair have won every time so far. As the field in this class is not usually particularly strong, there are still other promising rivals. Jens Schneider and Robin Reimer (Engelsbrand/Schömberg) from the R4 class, who have led for much of this season, face the challenge of coming up against two equally strong teams. The pair must always be wary of Sascha Steinhart (Hilden, BMW 325i) and Jan Buchwald (Menden, BMW 325i), who are capable of securing a stage victory at any time and, even if the worst result is discarded, still have an outside chance of winning the title. Third place in the championship table is held by Christian Koch (Wickede, BMW 325i) from the H4 class. But the battle for the titles is still raging in the other RCN categories too. In the RCN Overall Winners’ Cup, Michael Luther/Markus Schmickler (Barsbüttel/Bad Neuenahr, BMW M4 GT4) and David Vogt (Waldfeucht, Opel Astra TCR) are locked in a neck-and-neck battle. In the RCN Light class, Andrea Heim (Gronau, Renault Clio) and Maximilian Weissermel (Oberursel, Porsche Cayman) are the favourites. Michael Luther leads the RCN Seniors’ Cup by a comfortable margin. In the RCN Ladies’ Trophy, Lisa Ganser and Sophie Hoenjet (Würselen/Boos, Seat Leon Cupra) are currently in the lead. In the RCN Junior Cup, Lukas Schwenk (Volxheim, Renault Megane RS) is ahead of Elias Funke (Lippstadt, Renault Clio RS). There are plenty of favourites for top placings, including Michael Luther and Markus Schmickler, David Vogt, Andreas Schwarz (Obernburg, Cupra Leon TCR), Alain Dutronc (Switzerland, Porsche Cayman GT4 CS), Rolf Weißenfeld (Peterslahr, Peugeot 308 TCR), Erich Petrich (Wawern, BMW M3), Axel and Andreas Schwelgien (both from Fürstenwalde, BMW M3), Reinhold Renger and Marc Andreas Riedl (Rothenburg/Hamburg, Porsche Cayman GT4 CS) and, for the second time this season, Dirk Maier (Albstadt) with Yannik Fübrich (Brackenheim) in the BMW M2 Competition.
22.09.2026
The Nürburgring’s Nordschleife has been a development hub for the international automotive industry for decades. Manufacturers and suppliers use the demanding 20.832-kilometre circuit to test vehicles and components under extreme conditions. Now, for the first time, an academic institution is also taking part in these test and development runs: Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is using the Nordschleife to gather real-world vehicle data for its research into simulations and digital twins. This adds a further dimension to ‘testing and development at the Nürburgring’ – bringing science and industrial vehicle development even closer together. For Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, the test and development runs are about bridging the gap between real-world and digital vehicle development. In the “Motion Simulation & Software Development” Living Lab at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, researchers and students develop digital twins of vehicles. These virtual models are designed to replicate the behaviour of a real vehicle and its components as realistically as possible. To achieve this, elements such as tyres, aerodynamics, the powertrain and the chassis are integrated into the simulation. Real-world data is crucial to the quality of these models. “High-quality and realistic data form the crucial basis for reliable research results,” explains Professor Dr Matthias Vodel, Head of the Living Lab. The university is now collecting this real-world reference data during test and development drives on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. There, the team can use a real vehicle to record data under a wide variety of conditions whilst making targeted adjustments to the vehicle or individual components. This produces structured data sets, which are subsequently analysed at the Living Lab in Mittweida and used for the development and validation of digital vehicle models. In Vodel’s view, the Nordschleife is particularly valuable for this purpose: no other test track demands so much from vehicles. He therefore describes the reference data collected there as the “gold standard for test applications in automotive research and development”. Findings from research are directly incorporated into teaching. The data collected on the Nordschleife is integrated into the university’s degree programmes and courses. In the Master’s programme in ‘Media Informatics and Interactive Entertainment’, for example, students analyse telemetry data and compare datasets from virtual drives with real-world measurements from the Nürburgring. The insights gained from this can in turn be tested on the Living Lab’s simulation platforms and utilised for further research. This creates a cycle comprising real-world testing at the Nürburgring, scientific analysis in Mittweida, and research and teaching at the university. Simulation and real-world testing thus complement one another. In Vodel’s view, real-world testing remains indispensable for assessing vehicles and components under real-world extreme conditions. “In this context, the Nürburgring and the Nordschleife are irreplaceable in the medium and long term – both in reality and in simulation environments.” The fascination of the Nordschleife extends right into the lecture theatreIn addition to its scientific benefits, the link to the Nürburgring also exerts a special influence within the university. For Vodel, the Nordschleife was already the starting point for his research activities. When he took up his professorship in Mittweida in 2018, he wanted to bring research to life using a practical yet fascinating example. This led to the creation of the Living Lab, which opened in 2019. Since then, the Nürburgring has been an integral part of the simulation scenarios carried out there. University network centred on the NürburgringThe connection between Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and the Nürburgring began even before the university took part in the test and development drives. Mittweida has been a member of the Nürburgring Academy for several years. Founded in 2018, the association links universities, the Nürburgring and businesses, bringing together a range of academic disciplines. These include technical disciplines such as motorsport engineering, mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering and engine technology, as well as motorsport and sports management, and other fields ranging right through to medicine. For Dr Karl-Josef Schmidt, Head of the Nürburgring Academy, Mittweida’s participation in the test and development runs is therefore a logical development that is in line with the founding philosophy of the Nürburgring Academy: “In engineering sciences in particular, the aim is to facilitate not only theory but also practical application and testing, and to make the Nürburgring’s resources available for this purpose. The diversity of disciplines is a deliberate part of the concept. The Academy aims to bring together fields of study that are connected, in the broadest sense, to the events and motorsport industry. Interface between students and businessesThis approach is particularly evident in the direct exchange between universities and businesses. Among other things, the Nürburgring Academy organises intensive weeks featuring classes at the Nürburgring, company visits and guest lectures. For example, during a joint training week, selected students from the universities of Stralsund, Trier and Mittweida, as well as the Saarland University of Applied Sciences, come together at the Nürburgring. Theoretical lessons are combined with excursions to companies and practical insights. In addition, the Nürburgring provides topics for academic theses. Questions relating to motorsport, vehicle development or the management of a motorsport and events venue can thus be addressed in semester projects as well as in bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral theses. At the same time, the Academy brings students together with companies associated with the Nürburgring. For Schmidt, this creates a win-win situation: students get to know potential employers, whilst companies come into contact with qualified young academics at an early stage. At the same time, academic research can address specific issues and deliver results that are of practical use to the Nürburgring or the companies involved. The example of Mittweida illustrates just how far this networking can go. According to Vodel, after around five years of collaboration with the Nürburgring and the Nürburgring Academy, the university is now involved in four ongoing research projects at national and EU level. Together with partners from academia and industry, it is working on, amongst other things, tyre simulations, sensor systems and vehicle components. “Without the Nürburgring Academy’s network, these activities would not have come about,” says Vodel. The cycle of digital development and real-world testing is set to continue in the future. The Nordschleife remains the challenging venue for development and testing in both worlds. About the Nürburgring Academy e.V.:The Nürburgring Academy’s academic network currently comprises universities and other institutions with a variety of specialist focuses. In the fields of engineering, vehicle development and motorsport, the network includes the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/Zweibrücken (Motorsport Management), the University of Applied Sciences Stralsund (Vehicle Engineering and Design), the University of Applied Sciences Trier (Mechanical Engineering), RWTH Aachen University and the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden (Digital Product Development). In the fields of sports science and management, the Nürburgring Academy includes Koblenz University of Applied Sciences with its RheinAhrCampus in Remagen, the IST University of Management in Düsseldorf and SRH University of Applied Sciences in Heidelberg. Other members include Mittweida University of Applied Sciences with its Faculty of Applied Computer and Life Sciences, and the Apollon University of Health Management in Bremen. From the medical sector, the Marienhaus Clinics and Aachen University Hospital are represented. The range of members is complemented by the European University of Applied Sciences Rhein/Erft. Nürburgring 1927 GmbH & Co. KG, as the operating company and key partner for practical work at the site, is also a member of the Nürburgring Academy. In this way, the Academy combines academic expertise in engineering, digitalisation, sport, management and health with the diverse practical applications offered by the Nürburgring.
