Ringside Seat: Sold!
Dale talks to the man who may just have bought the 'ring
And after the ADAC had been thrown of the mix for their low-ball offer, only Capricorn and HIG Capital remained as credible options. But who was on top? The German automotive parts supplier (who nobody could quite believe had got the money), or the cash-rich HIG group?
Then on Tuesday morning we got a glimpse of the future. Because last week no fewer than six new companies were incorporated, all under the name NRGH, and each one dedicated to just one aspect of the 'ring. One for the boulevard, one for the hotels, one for the GP track, one for the land, one for the Nordschleife and finally an overall 'holdings' company. Closer inspection of the documents revealed one name as running them all. Meyrick Cox.
A name the public only really know as the leading man and public face of the HIG bid. Reuters were all over it, and quickly dug up more details. But while our transatlantic cousins are currently busy screaming patriotic slogans and airbrushing bald eagles over the top of the Karussell, I managed to get in touch with the Englishman who's actually co-ordinating the bid. The man who could be running the Nurburgring before the month is over.
Firstly, and most importantly, he's keen to stress that there is no ink on paper as yet. The six firms he founded were all just "groundwork, should the bid succeed". Groundwork that cost 25,000 euros a pop, no less. So he can't be that unsure. And boy does this man have some plans for the 'ring. This is no divide-and-resell corporate buyout, this is buy, invest and rejuvenate.
All that Meyrcik has time for is a very informal conversation, but should his bid succeed then I'll bring you a word-for-word interview. Here are some of the highlights though, including 25 million euros to be invested in the Nordschleife and a business plan built around public access, racing and the automotive industry. He's also proposing full HD 1080p video coverage of the whole Nordschleife combined with a transponder/data-uplink for each car. Not only better to control the noise, but the system will spot stopped cars, crashes (speed changes to zero) and even fluid spills automatically using infrared cameras. F1-style warning lights to convey flag signals instantly and accurately and a totally new entrance to the Nordschleife and no more ticket barriers are also among the proposals.
Sounds too good to be true? For many people it is. The 'Save The Ring' crowd are calling it the 'worst case scenario', even though my idea of worst case scenario would be no buyers, the government pulling funding and weeds growing through a deserted, uneconomic to repair Nordschleife.
Yet, I have to admit to a lingering feeling of unease, even listening to Meyrick enthuse about those fantastic ideas above. Meyrick, it should be mentioned, is a man who has competed in no fewer than 18 24-hour races, who has been enjoying the Nordschleife in public sessions, track days and racing for the best part of two decades. He has a house here. He's a guy who takes time out from brokering massive industry-altering deals (Volvo to the Chinese, for example) to instruct the guys coming through the Mission Motorsport programme. You'll find him out on the Nordschleife in a Mk1 MX-5 and I'll be wheel to wheel with his OPC Astra racecar in the VLN season opener later this month...
But, when you're dealing with venture capitalists and investment groups, I think that sense of unease is only natural. Is that light at the end of the tunnel just another train coming at you head on? Only time will tell. At least now time is something that the Nurburgring has more of.
[Sources: Handels Register, Reuters, Jalopnik]
Ultimately if the Ring is to be owned by venture capitalists it needs to be a money making business, it won't be run as a bit of fun for the benefit of motoring enthusiasts so this really may turn out to be one of those use it or lose it situations.
You and I will be squeezed out, and have our wallets well-rinsed should we ever want to venture onto the track.
Oli.
The way I see it is, each part of the ring is now looked after by different sub companies. In theory profits from the ring will stay with the ring. The rest of the bo11ocks that has been built should now stay separate.
A further concern would be the bike situation. If bikes and cars were to be continued to be allowed to mix on the circuit with an open DH, how long will it take for a power ranger doing 180 to not be seen by a car at 140 moving to overtake another at 110. Even though I don't ride, I would hope that some consideration has been given to the possibility of bike only sessions for the fast guys amongst the 2 wheel fraternity?
The insurance thing obviously means that TF is a bit immaterial to UK drivers (unless they have a solution to that too), but it is interesting all the same. Continued track days are where my focus is, and if this bid succeeds I do not see anything to fear from that side of the equation at this point unless the cost were to significantly increase.
One of the posters on Jalopnik makes a good point:
'Considering that The Ring is a German-owned toll road (until now), I'm sure this means that it will no longer be as easily accessible as it once was. Private ownership will drive insurance rates through the roof, thus increasing any fees paid to use the course, if drivers will even be allowed to access the track with the ease that they have been.
While saving The Ring, this could also ruin it for what it is known for.'
He has a point. I think they plan to make it a luxury race track resort and rent very cheaply the hotel facilities that already exist there.
According to a German site I just read (thanks Google translate!) Meyrick Cox already own the Bilster Mountain Drive Resort so I think they want to make the Nurburgring a luxury supercar resort for the rich whilst keeping all the manufacturer/racing testing and public access at other times. Sounds like a plan but the costs to the public will probably rise significantly and it will mean the ring becomes more like other race tracks.
I think the fact that he's an enthusiast at heart is great - I don't think the football chairman analogy is particularly correct.
I don't believe the ring could have survived in its present form (just a toll road that you pay a few quid to drive round). I think it was inevitable that it would need to change. Proper facilities on the track combined with having to pay to use it like a trackday sounds like a great way for it to continue.
Yes, the locals who often drive round it for fun for a few quid will moan, and yes, I'm sure a lap will become more expensive, but for proper motorsport lovers, I think this is about the best that could happen. And hopefully this will mean a full chat 150mph driver can be more confident that there's not a numpty driving his bus round the next corner.
Of course, maybe he'll turn out to be a charlatan in the style of the Russian guy who bought TVR, but I'd put my money on it being a success.
And if prices have to go up accordingly, then at least that will weed out the riff-raff
, and particularly the French AX diesel drivers.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff