Save the Nurburgring !!!!!!!
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
Save the Nurburgring !!!!!!!
I have seen a few articles discussing the financial mess that has fallen on the Nurburgring. There is even an article on in this months EVO magazine. Just wanted to bring the rest of the car guys here up to speed on the topic. There is a link to a facebook page that you can click onto to vote not to close the ring
http://mrcarblog.com/2011/02/14/trou...getting-nasty/
It’s hard to find a mention of the Nürburgring anywhere without the prefix ‘notorious’ or ‘infamous’ being used. Time was that was a reference to the track’s appetite for ego (and bodywork) crushing interactions with the Armco that surrounds it. But, going by the web chatter of late, it seems such descriptions could equally apply to the new owners of the circuit. Web chatter that has, on one fan site, been silenced courtesy of legal action by Nürburgring Automotive Gmbh’s legal representatives. Gulp, best tread carefully…
Careful guys, it's not just the Armco that's out to get you
A month short of its 10th birthday one of the most popular ‘ring fan sites has had its complaints about the new management at the track silenced in spectacular style with a legal complaint about an article reproduced on the site dating back 18 months and a €250K penalty for further distribution of its contents. And that includes on fan forums. The site, 20832.com, has posted a statement and our thanks go to our friends at Axis Of Oversteer for bringing it to our attention. Background to the situation can be found over on Pistonheads but it sounds like scary times over in the Eifel.
The industry pool has apparently kissed and made up with the ‘ring management after an attempt to hike fees for track access by a factor of 10 but the increasingly aggressive tactics employed can’t be helping with the general sense of fear and gloom about the venue’s future.
Sabine Schmitz ( aka the queen of the ring ) pleads for people to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplEK...layer_embedded
http://mrcarblog.com/2011/02/14/trou...getting-nasty/
It’s hard to find a mention of the Nürburgring anywhere without the prefix ‘notorious’ or ‘infamous’ being used. Time was that was a reference to the track’s appetite for ego (and bodywork) crushing interactions with the Armco that surrounds it. But, going by the web chatter of late, it seems such descriptions could equally apply to the new owners of the circuit. Web chatter that has, on one fan site, been silenced courtesy of legal action by Nürburgring Automotive Gmbh’s legal representatives. Gulp, best tread carefully…
Careful guys, it's not just the Armco that's out to get you
A month short of its 10th birthday one of the most popular ‘ring fan sites has had its complaints about the new management at the track silenced in spectacular style with a legal complaint about an article reproduced on the site dating back 18 months and a €250K penalty for further distribution of its contents. And that includes on fan forums. The site, 20832.com, has posted a statement and our thanks go to our friends at Axis Of Oversteer for bringing it to our attention. Background to the situation can be found over on Pistonheads but it sounds like scary times over in the Eifel.
The industry pool has apparently kissed and made up with the ‘ring management after an attempt to hike fees for track access by a factor of 10 but the increasingly aggressive tactics employed can’t be helping with the general sense of fear and gloom about the venue’s future.
Sabine Schmitz ( aka the queen of the ring ) pleads for people to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplEK...layer_embedded
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...0in%20trouble?
NURBURGRING
Save The Nürburgring!
Michael Frison — Germany's Nürburgring is the world's automotive playground. A public park for gearheads. Sadly, it's been handed over to privateers who've put the entire 'Ring at risk. Michael Frison of 20832.com explains why we need to save the Nürburgring! — Ed.
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. Have a look at the graph summarizing the figures:
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.
Please spread the word if you care about Nordschleife and its heritage. Follow ringumbau.de (the documentary community site accompanying the development) and question the information shared by officials.
Michael Frison founded the 20832.com Nurburgring site 10 years ago (ever seen the red-and-white-N logo when at the 'Ring?). He's also the person behind the renn.tv movies (you have probably seen Hans Stuck / BMW M3 GTR / Nordschleife Onboard), and donated the engine/idea of the Gixxerkart. He wears a Che Geuvara T-Shirt when he drives the 'Ring.
NURBURGRING
Save The Nürburgring!
Michael Frison — Germany's Nürburgring is the world's automotive playground. A public park for gearheads. Sadly, it's been handed over to privateers who've put the entire 'Ring at risk. Michael Frison of 20832.com explains why we need to save the Nürburgring! — Ed.
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. Have a look at the graph summarizing the figures:
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.
Please spread the word if you care about Nordschleife and its heritage. Follow ringumbau.de (the documentary community site accompanying the development) and question the information shared by officials.
Michael Frison founded the 20832.com Nurburgring site 10 years ago (ever seen the red-and-white-N logo when at the 'Ring?). He's also the person behind the renn.tv movies (you have probably seen Hans Stuck / BMW M3 GTR / Nordschleife Onboard), and donated the engine/idea of the Gixxerkart. He wears a Che Geuvara T-Shirt when he drives the 'Ring.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I hope it stays around, too, but few things can stop the power of development and big money. That's how suburban sprawl got to be what it is today in America.
The best way to prevent development is if the state itself owns the land. We see big examples of that in the Western U.S., especially in the Rockies.
The best way to prevent development is if the state itself owns the land. We see big examples of that in the Western U.S., especially in the Rockies.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
I am hoping that the drama going on will only result in an increase in ring lap prices but it seems like its possible that the entire thing could get shut down unless the government steps in. The private people who took over over estimated the traffic by close to 6 times and had people invest based on that. Now the place is bleeding cash and they dont know what to do. The government is looking into criminal charges
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