Nurburgring under threat - UPDATE
Local government opens door for new bids to run the Nurburgring
Cars out, hikers in? It's one possible future...
The NAG was formed by investors and entrepreneurs Kai Richter and Jorg Lindner to operate the 'new' Nurburgring resort. Over €330 million of public money was poured into the complex in an unpopular move to create what has been widely described as the 'Nurodisney'. Now some of the same people who created this unwelcome addition to the world's most celebrated racetrack are reporting it as unprofitable, and are asking for 'relief' from lease payments they are contracted to make back to the public coffers who unwittingly ended up funding the additions in the first place. And if the NAG can't have 'relief', they will be forced to lay-off up to 92 workers.
The newly-elected regional government, under massive pressure from the local population, described this as a 'threat' and a 'ransom situation'. Non-payment of the lease amounts to breach of contract, at least that's what we're expecting to hear this afternoon.
What does this mean to the fans and drivers of the 'ring? Possibly nothing, but maybe everything. NAG might fight for the right to stay in the 'ring, but with no money coming in, how will they operate it on a day to day basis? Watch this space.
UPDATE:
The government has spoken. It wants NAG out and it wants a temporary 'operator' brought in to manage the day-to-day running of the circuit while new operators are found.
Interior minister Roger Lewentz is reported as saying, "You would be amazed how many inquiries [we have received] from interested parties..." Lewentz has talked about a new tender period, a public process, of up to a year.
This is of course in direct conflict with the NAG statement this morning, stating it has a contract until 2040 and will fight tooth-and-nail in the courts to stay.
"If it's acceptable for the region, the door remains open [for a settlement out of court]." said Lewentz.
Will it be open for my trip on the 1st of April
In all seriousness, the main thing is that the local government needs to realise that all the local business' & therefore local families need this to get sorted out ASAP.
Without the ring, the local area would be hit extremely hard & that's the top & bottom of it.
I.e. try and blackmail the local government; "Oh look, if you don't let us off the rent payment, we'll make these people unemployed and blame you..."
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