Wednesday 9th February 2011

Scuderia Hanseat Blasts 'Ring Management

Supercar race school with 52-year heritage at the Nurburgring launches scathing attack on the new operators and cancels its spring booking

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The trouble at the 'ring shows no sign of blowing over, as the battle between big-budget driving school Scuderia Hanseat and the new 'ring management has spilled out into the public arena. In a press release seething with barely concealed anger, Scuderia Hanseat celebrates the Nordschleife's unique place in motorsport history while saying "the new management of the Nürburgring is now threatening to destroy this tradition, this success and not least the promotion for the region."

Strong words that Scuderia Hanseat backs up with hard facts about exactly what its 300 or so high-rolling customers bring to the Eifel community on their twice-yearly visits to the Nordschleife. This includes 100,000 euros-worth of fuel being poured into thirsty supercars and 3200 nights-worth of accommodation booked out in the local region, not to mention the additional spending in shops, bars and restaurants.

That's money that Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, the circuit's new operator, desperately wants to rake in itself in an effort to both turn a profit and meet local government demands for paying back the 350m euros of public money the redevelopments at the Grand Prix track have cost.

Scuderia Hanseat is among track day organisers, racing schools and the famed 'industry pool' in feeling the pinch of new, hard-nosed business tactics employed by Nürburgring Automotive that have seen long-standing contracts ripped up and prices hiked by huge margins. In Scuderia Hanseat's case this amounts to, it's claimed, a price rise of 60 per cent and reduced track time, contrary to agreements laid down before the new management took over.

The Hanseat press release doesn't hold back either, saying "it is regrettable that, at Scuderia Hanseat alone, 80 staff members and hundreds of drivers are affected by the business tactics of Automotive GmbH." It goes on to say "these business tactics by the new "Ring Masters" are depriving the local hospitality industry, the car industry and the local towns and communities of valuable income."

In a high-stake game of double bluff, Scuderia Hanseat has decided to cancel the first of its 2011 bookings and take legal action in an attempt to force Nürburgring Automotive to honour what it says were existing contracts. PistonHeads contacted Nürburgring Automotive for comment, but none was forthcoming at the time of writing.

 

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Update:

Since publication Nurburgring Automotive has responded to the accusations in Scuderia Hanseat's press release, a spokesperson giving PistonHeads the following statement:

"Contrary to the depiction of Scuderia Hanseat there is no valid contract for the realisation of other courses after December 31st, 2010. All agreements and arrangements in this regard were concluded in the past with the former manager of the Nurburgring GmbH only orally. Due to this the Nurburgring Automotive GmbH did not accept any of the demands made.

The Nurburgring Automotive GmbH has presented Scuderia Hanseat a new discounted contract offer which had not been answered by Scuderia Hanseat also after several time extensions from our site. We really regret that this event will not take place in 2011 at the Nurburgring."

[urquattro]

Sounds a bit to me like "reducing the deficit" - perhaps D.C. N.K. and G.O are moonlighting as financial consultants.

[bonehead]

Been following this for a while, and have been to the Ring a couple of times. I've seen the new developments, and they are thoroughly horrible compared to what the local villages can offer. It's so sad to imagine the Nordschleife could become a corporate pawn instead of a place where passionate people, rich and poor, can express their passion for cars, racing and good friendship. I hope their is a good solution coming soon...

[Stedman]

Blimey it really is starting to kick off

[Mermaid]

BMW Clubs also hold their annual driving event at the 'Ring - similar format to Scuderia - I suppose that too will be affected.

The happy days at the old 'Ring seem to be over, also with the insurance issues.

[Atrophy]

Mermaid said:

BMW Clubs also hold their annual driving event at the 'Ring - similar format to Scuderia - I suppose that too will be affected.

The happy days at the old 'Ring seem to be over, also with the insurance issues.

Im sure it will pick itself back up eventually! (hopes)

[agtlaw]

Dan Trent said:

This includes 100,000 euros-worth of fuel being poured into thirsty supercars and 3200 nights-worth of accommodation booked out in the local region, not to mention the additional spending in shops, bars and restaurants.

this lost revenue assumes that nothing will replace the SH course. the reality is that there will be additional tourist days or trackdays.

[Kamox]

Also, Pistenclub scheduled no events at the 'Ring for 2011...

[markoc]

http://www.scuderia-hanseat.de/en/press-release.ht...

[Dan Trent]

Stop press!

A spokesperson from Nürburgring Automotive has since been in touch and is promising a statement about this as soon as possible. Story will be updated as soon as this reaches us so stay tuned...

Dan

[1560]

seems like most organisers are putting their events "on hold" or "not organise them at all"
easy to understand why...

I hope things get settled
for the locals who run their small hotels/resto's/bars/guesthouses/...
they need "us"

[FishFace]

Everyone needs to boycott the place. I won't be going this year now. We need to send a clear message to the people involved and others who may be looking as this to see if it's a viable template.

[Wills2]

Sounds like they are being pushed into a corner, if they owe 350 million that's a chuck of change in anyones language.

The local government could be the real villians here...but who knows?

Let's blame the bankers

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 9th February 15:40

[CygnusX1]

Would be a shame if the 'ring went the way of johnny corporate.

Just as an aside to this; does Sabine Schmitz still drive the 'ring taxi?

[Dr S]

Being a professinal and business minded management is one thing. Not honouring existing contracts something entirely differnt. I don't trust these folks and fear for the worst unless facts indicate the opposite. Too many dodgy things have happend in that matter over the last months and years...

[thegreenhell]

FishFace said:

Everyone needs to boycott the place. I won't be going this year now. We need to send a clear message to the people involved and others who may be looking as this to see if it's a viable template.

That doesn't really help the local businesses though, does it. It will do more damage to them than it does to Nurburgring Automotive. Sending a message is one thing, but it is the little guys that will get hurt first if people just stop going altogether.

[Debaser]

Not good news. I hope it's not long before the Nürburgring is back to being famous for being the best racetrack in the world.

[agtlaw]

Kamox said:

Also, Pistenclub scheduled no events at the 'Ring for 2011...

provisional dates for Destination Nurburgring trackdays were announced recently:

Wednesday April 20th 8am to 5pm
Thursday April 21st 8am to 2pm
Monday July 18th 8am - 5pm
Tuesday July 19th 8am to 5pm

[PhillipM]

thegreenhell said:

That doesn't really help the local businesses though, does it. It will do more damage to them than it does to Nurburgring Automotive. Sending a message is one thing, but it is the little guys that will get hurt first if people just stop going altogether.

Alright, everyone go over, book a hotel, have some nice meals out, and go spectate at the ring.

10,000 spectators and no cars going around might send your message home

[TomTVR500]

bonehead said:

Been following this for a while, and have been to the Ring a couple of times. I've seen the new developments, and they are thoroughly horrible compared to what the local villages can offer. It's so sad to imagine the Nordschleife could become a corporate pawn instead of a place where passionate people, rich and poor, can express their passion for cars, racing and good friendship. I hope their is a good solution coming soon...

Could not have put it better. I completely agree, such a shame.

[slickchange]

I haven't been to the ring yet and really fancy going since my Dad told me he when to pick up a merc from the factory in 1980 to get a cheap vat free price then took it to the ring on the way home with my Mum as a passenger but stuff like this makes me just want to put that trip money into more weekend boarders drives and local trips.
I'd hate to blow loads of cash driving out there getting 20mpg and then for it to be a st themepark full of pissed of punter paying triple for everything........