Nurburgring in trouble?
Discussion
Just found a series of stories/links about big financial and political problems at the Nurburgring, which is hanging a large question mark over it's future...
Surprised it hadn't been picked up anywhere else, or mentioned on here. This article from a local though gives some details:
Save the 'Ring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplEKGs6Yj4
So does anyone have any more news on what's actually happening over there, and what it means for the future? Because the two bits of information that I've gleened so far don't tell a lot in the way of specifics, but they don't sound too good for the 'Ring, and in particular TF, in the near future...
Surprised it hadn't been picked up anywhere else, or mentioned on here. This article from a local though gives some details:
Save the 'Ring
'Article' said:
You might be surprised by reading this headline and I'm aware the subject has not gained much awareness abroad, but there's currently a serious threat to the Nürburgring.
Since it's opening in 1927, the Nurburgring has been under complete public ownership and administration, but in May of this year the complete Nurburgring race track and park was rented out to two privateers (Kai Richter, Jörg Lindner). They have no motorsports background whatsoever, but are the driving forces behind the makeover, which includes the addition of a theme park with a new roller coaster that doesn't work, more hotel capacity than the area needs, a 3,000-seat event arena, and a shopping mall. Everything appears to be far too big and remains empty most of the time.
They promised private financing, but this soon turned out to be a fake. The Minister of Finance had to resign as a consequence. Despite lack of funding completion of the project continued.
The heavy burden now sitting on Nordschleife's shoulder is the debt of approximately 400 Million Euros, which seems completely unnecessary considering complete race tracks have been constructed for a fraction of this amount.
The issue is complex and has kept fans of the 'Ring busy, but I want to share with you what just happend last week: Nürburgring officials always claim a total of two million visitors per year, but in true Wikileaks style we got ahold of an older internal document (PDF) telling a different story. Promoters always engage in number polishing, but this is of different quality. It appears there's double bookkeeping for real vs. published visitors for all events held at the Ring..
Who would dare to claim two million spectators while only 370,000 actually turned up? The Nürburgring did and they based the business plan of the new leisure park on these numbers.
You don't believe me? Ask Sabine next time you meet her. Several investigations have already been triggered by the Department of Public Prosecution, a governmental board of inquiry and the competition department of the European Commission.
And anyone who criticizes the current direction of the 'Ring is answered with force. Wilhelm Hahne — the oldest of the racing Hahne brothers (his brother Armin finished 6th last weekend at the track) — had his house searched in June of last year and as recent as last week received again a warning letter from the Nürburgring lawyers for speaking the truth.
It really hurts to get sucked into politics and to witness how they treat the heritage we all love. The worst that could happen is enthusiasts be forced to pay the price of a privateer's blunder in the form of higher prices or worse. Threats to the track include reduced maintenance of the track to reduce costs, less motorsports, and restrictions on small clubs running events in the area. Enthusiasts could also be required to book at the new hotels to race at the track.
Also, this "Xmas Message" from Sabine Schmitz, the local racing legend, sounds very ominous... although she declines to go into any detail.Since it's opening in 1927, the Nurburgring has been under complete public ownership and administration, but in May of this year the complete Nurburgring race track and park was rented out to two privateers (Kai Richter, Jörg Lindner). They have no motorsports background whatsoever, but are the driving forces behind the makeover, which includes the addition of a theme park with a new roller coaster that doesn't work, more hotel capacity than the area needs, a 3,000-seat event arena, and a shopping mall. Everything appears to be far too big and remains empty most of the time.
They promised private financing, but this soon turned out to be a fake. The Minister of Finance had to resign as a consequence. Despite lack of funding completion of the project continued.
The heavy burden now sitting on Nordschleife's shoulder is the debt of approximately 400 Million Euros, which seems completely unnecessary considering complete race tracks have been constructed for a fraction of this amount.
The issue is complex and has kept fans of the 'Ring busy, but I want to share with you what just happend last week: Nürburgring officials always claim a total of two million visitors per year, but in true Wikileaks style we got ahold of an older internal document (PDF) telling a different story. Promoters always engage in number polishing, but this is of different quality. It appears there's double bookkeeping for real vs. published visitors for all events held at the Ring..
Who would dare to claim two million spectators while only 370,000 actually turned up? The Nürburgring did and they based the business plan of the new leisure park on these numbers.
You don't believe me? Ask Sabine next time you meet her. Several investigations have already been triggered by the Department of Public Prosecution, a governmental board of inquiry and the competition department of the European Commission.
And anyone who criticizes the current direction of the 'Ring is answered with force. Wilhelm Hahne — the oldest of the racing Hahne brothers (his brother Armin finished 6th last weekend at the track) — had his house searched in June of last year and as recent as last week received again a warning letter from the Nürburgring lawyers for speaking the truth.
It really hurts to get sucked into politics and to witness how they treat the heritage we all love. The worst that could happen is enthusiasts be forced to pay the price of a privateer's blunder in the form of higher prices or worse. Threats to the track include reduced maintenance of the track to reduce costs, less motorsports, and restrictions on small clubs running events in the area. Enthusiasts could also be required to book at the new hotels to race at the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplEKGs6Yj4
So does anyone have any more news on what's actually happening over there, and what it means for the future? Because the two bits of information that I've gleened so far don't tell a lot in the way of specifics, but they don't sound too good for the 'Ring, and in particular TF, in the near future...
What does it matter if the current vehicle/owners go bust - the Ring will just be sold of in an asset stripping/liquidation and someone else will pick it up and run it without the debt?
From the article it seems that it's the debt that's finished the current vehicle off - there is no mention that the Ring isn't viable on its own.
From the article it seems that it's the debt that's finished the current vehicle off - there is no mention that the Ring isn't viable on its own.
youngsyr said:
What does it matter if the current vehicle/owners go bust - the Ring will just be sold of in an asset stripping/liquidation and someone else will pick it up and run it without the debt?
From the article it seems that it's the debt that's finished the current vehicle off - there is no mention that the Ring isn't viable on its own.
Very sensible response, I agree. Its very important to the car industry in Germany and in the wider world, its an institution. Can't see it going anywhere. Although I'm sure there are some locals who'd be happy to get rid of the noise pollution. From the article it seems that it's the debt that's finished the current vehicle off - there is no mention that the Ring isn't viable on its own.
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