09.10.2026
The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is heading towards its grand finale, with one more spectacular event in store for motorsport fans as the season draws to a close. This Saturday, 10 October, the tenth and final round will take place on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The final four-hour race of the season will see the last 15 points up for grabs, with the championship title set to be decided. But there is plenty more to look forward to beyond the battle at the top of the standings. All to play for in the championship battleThe overall standings are set for a thrilling showdown, with three driver line-ups still in contention for the title ahead of the final four hours of racing. Leading the standings are Edoardo Bugane, Yannick Fübrich and Sven Markert. The trio compete for Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels in the BMW M240i Racing Cup and head into the Eifel with the strongest hand. Their closest challengers in second place are Alexander Fielenbach and Oskar Sandberg in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS entered by Smyrlis Racing. In third place is Alexandru Vasilescu on 80 points, competing in the BMW M4 GT4 for AV Racing by BLACK FALCON. In the four-hour race, a class win is worth 15 points, second place earns 11 and third place brings eight points. As two races have not counted towards the standings this year, there are no dropped results, meaning all eight rounds count towards the championship. Bugane, Fübrich and Markert arrive with 94 points. A class win would take them to 109 points, securing the title on their own merit. Fielenbach and Sandberg could reach a maximum of 105 points with a class win. If Bugane, Fübrich and Markert finish second in that scenario, the top two line-ups would be level on 105 points, with six class wins each. The tie-breaker would then be the higher average number of competitors in their respective classes over the course of the season. Thanks to the more strongly contested CUP3 field, this would favour Fielenbach and Sandberg. If the leading trio finish third, they would reach 102 points and fall behind Fielenbach and Sandberg. Vasilescu also retains a theoretical chance of winning the title on 80 points: he would become champion if he wins his class, Bugane, Fübrich and Markert score no points, and Fielenbach and Sandberg finish no higher than fifth. A fresh challenge for SP10There is news from local team Jung Motorsport, which is taking on a new challenge with a Mercedes-AMG GT4. Eugen Weber, Mario Fuchs and Tobias Jung will share the cockpit. Jung is optimistic about the project: “We’re really excited about taking this step. Eugen, who owns the car, approached us to ask whether we could run it for him. He also completed his permit with us this year. NLS 10 will be a test for us, and the plan is to run the car for the entire 2027 season.” Formula talent Mathilda Paatz to race alongside her father MichaelThe season finale will also see a special story unfold as rising Formula talent Mathilda Paatz takes to the track alongside her father Michael Paatz for the first time. The pair will share the VW Scirocco R entered by mathilda racing. Born on 1 August 2008, Mathilda is the youngest competitor in the entire field. Her father has secured 16 class wins in the NLS and competed regularly at the Nürburgring until 2023, before focusing fully on supporting his daughter’s career. Now, the two will share the cockpit. Having grown up in the NLS paddock, Mathilda is eagerly anticipating her debut: “I went to the 24h-Rennen at the Nürburgring with Dad and was hooked straight away. Formula racing is still my top priority. But we’ve always had this idea of racing the 24h-Rennen together one day. Now I’m getting my first kilometres on the Nordschleife under my belt, and I’m excited to see how it goes.” 21 GT3 cars, comebacks and debuts on the gridThere will also be some high-profile additions at the front of the field for the season finale. Alongside its already-entered car in the SP9 PRO-AM class, driven by Antal Zsigo, Moritz Kranz and David Jahn, Gamota Racing will field a second BMW M4 GT3 EVO in SP9 AM. This car will be shared by Antal Zsigo, Csaba Walter and Dennis Fetzer. Konrad Motorsport will also return after sitting out three races, with Pavel Lefterov, Dimitar Balev and Aleks Stefanov at the wheel of the spectacular Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO I in SP9 PRO-AM. This brings the total number of GT3 cars competing for victory in the season finale to 21. There will be other new cars and faces on the grid, too. In the BMW 325i class, Alex Wright and Jonathan Sharp will share car number 122 entered by Keeevin Motorsport. The same class will also see Luca Alpert, champion of the 2024/2025 DNLS season, make his NLS debut. He will team up with Christopher Gruber in the BMW entered by Eifelkind Racing. Titles to be decided in the special classificationsIn the Junior Trophy, Benjamin Koslowski and Raphael Rennhofer are tied at the top with 63 points each. As a side note, Rennhofer won the title in the virtual DNLS season 2024/2025 alongside Alpert, who will be making his NLS debut. In the Gentleman Trophy, Alexandru Vasilescu leads with 80 points, followed by ‘Russ Turner’ on 70 and Mike Stursberg on 61. Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes heads into the season finale as the leader of the Ladies Trophy with 37 points. Tickets for the season finale cost 25 euros and are available here as well as at the ticket offices on the day. Children and teenagers up to and including the age of 14 enjoy free admission. The ticket includes access to the open grandstands on the Grand-Prix circuit, the popular spectator areas at Brünnchen and Pflanzgarten, as well as the paddock, pit lane and starting grid. A full day of action on the Nordschleife awaits: Saturday morning’s qualifying session runs from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Fans can then get an up-close look at the cars and drivers during the Pitwalk in the pit lane from 10:20 a.m. and the Gridwalk on the starting grid from 11:10 a.m. The four-hour season finale gets underway at 12:00 p.m. Those unable to attend in person can tune in to the official livestream from 8:15 a.m. or listen to “Radio Nürburgring” on rpr1.de and via the RPR1 app.
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.
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
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
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
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
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 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.
