23.03.2026
While people elsewhere are hunting for chocolate bunnies in their gardens, motorsports fans traditionally find their highlights on the tarmac of the Nürburgring. The Ring’s calendar is far more packed in April than many an Easter basket: things kick off with the four-day Easter weekend (April 3–6), which, as usual, is dedicated to public driving sessions. This is followed by top-tier racing at the third race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (April 11) and the 24h Qualifiers just one week later (April 17–19). The latter will be enhanced this year for the first time by a round of the German Historic Endurance Championship. The emotional highlight for motorcycle enthusiasts comes at the end of the month with the “Anlassen” motorcycle service (April 26), which brings together thousands of bikers for their season opener. Here are the Nürburgring highlights for April: Tourist Drives at Easter: Four days of driving pleasure in the spirit of mutual respect | April 3–6, 2026 For four days, from Good Friday to Easter Monday, both the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit will be open all day for the popular tourist runs. Those who want to experience the legendary asphalt for themselves pay 35 euros per lap. This year, the driving fun is complemented by a special theme: With a new campaign, the Nürburgring, together with local municipalities and the police, is promoting respectful coexistence throughout the region. At the heart of it is a clear message: “Your Home for a weekend. Our Home for a lifetime.” (translated: “Your home for a weekend. Our home for a lifetime.”) The goal is for all guests to combine their visit to the region with the necessary consideration for public road traffic and local residents. Motorcycle Service “Anlassen”:Between blessings, show performances, and social responsibility | April 26, 2026Thousands of motorcycles together on the Nordschleife: The motorcycle community celebrates its traditional season opener at the Nürburgring on Sunday, April 26. The “Anlassen” motorcycle service is a massive gathering of like-minded people every year, featuring various program highlights that turn it into a true celebration of community. Entertainment will be provided by, among other things, a dealer mile, a new trial show by the AAC Bad Neuenahr, a Doc Scholl rider training session, and safety demonstrations by the Koblenz Police Motorcycle Unit. In addition to the ecumenical service (2:30 p.m.) with a blessing for a great year on two wheels and the subsequent parade around the Nordschleife, the focus is always on a good cause: A blood donation van from the German Red Cross (DRK) and a tissue-typing van from the Stefan Morsch Foundation will be on site. Admission is free as usual. The event starts at 10 a.m., with the paddock gates opening as early as 8 a.m. Racing Marathon: 15 hours of racing action draw crowds to the Nordschleife | April 11 & April 17–19 Two weekends, four races, and a total of 15 hours of racing action in the Green Hell: April features two consecutive endurance racing weekends. The third race of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie kicks things off on April 11. Fans can look forward to a full field of competitors on the Nordschleife and enjoy insights into motorsport that are rarely experienced: access to the pit lane and the starting grid for the 4-hour race are included in the ticket. One weekend later (April 17–19) comes the big endurance test for the legendary 24-hour race: the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers. In two races on Saturday and Sunday, the teams will fine-tune their preparations for the race of the year. A special treat is the four-hour evening race on Saturday, which has been a tradition for years. New in 2026: the German Historic Endurance Championship (DHLM) will hold a three-hour race as part of the supporting program. Here, the icons of days gone by return to the Green Hell. For both events, in addition to standard day tickets, there are also exclusive VIP packages. These turn the day into a unique experience with box seats, catering, and support from Nürburgring insiders. Nürburgring Drift Cup: Precision at the limit in the Müllenbachschleife | April 25–26High-speed sideways drifts, action-packed duels, and an enthusiastic crowd in the stands of the Müllenbachschleife. April marks the kickoff of the 2026 Nürburgring Drift Cup. The European elite will battle for the judges’ favor during the first round from April 25 to 26. These spectacular door-to-door duels demand millimeter-precise control. In the elimination rounds held in tournament format, drivers will battle for victory in various classes through Sunday. Fans are in for a real treat: cars packing up to 1,000 horsepower make the Drift Cup a high-octane experience. Day tickets are available for 25 euros, and the entire weekend can be experienced for 40 euros. Nürburgring highlights in April 2026:• April 3–6: Tourist drives over the Easter weekend• April 11: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (Rennen 3)• April 17–19: ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers • April 25–26: Nürburgring Drift Cup (Round 1)• April 25: RCN & GLP (Round 2)• April 26: Motorcycle service “Anlassen”
21.03.2026
The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) delivered a race in a class of its own at its second event of the year, the 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize. Around 25,000 enthusiastic spectators lined the Grand Prix circuit and the legendary Nordschleife to witness a historic moment: Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen made his debut in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Together with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, he crossed the finish line first after four hours – a perfect debut, which, however, was to have an unexpected aftermath. Around two hours after the podium ceremony, disillusionment set in during technical scrutineering. During the routine analysis of the Tyre App, the commission discovered that the team had used seven sets of tyres instead of the permitted six. The logical consequence from the stewards: disqualification. Victory was thus handed to ‘Dan Harper’ and Jordan Pepper in the BMW M4 GT3 from ROWE RACING. In a class of his own: Verstappen dominates qualifyingDespite his subsequent disqualification, the pure sporting performance of the world champion and his team-mates remained undisputed. In a top-class field of over 130 cars, Verstappen had already demonstrated his exceptional form in the morning. With a fastest lap of 7:51.751 minutes, he secured pole position. “To be honest, pole was a lovely surprise, especially as I finally managed a lap without traffic and Code 60 at the Ring,” explained a visibly pleased Verstappen. Behind him, Christopher Haase in the Scherer Sport PHX Audi (7:53.725 mins) and the sister car to the eventual winning BMW from ROWE RACING were lurking in second and third places. High tension in the opening stagesThe race itself lived up to the promise of qualifying. Immediately after the lights went out, a thrilling battle broke out at the front. Christopher Haase put Verstappen under immense pressure and, at the end of the first lap, emerged from the slipstream to take the lead. Meanwhile, ROWE RACING demonstrated strategic prowess. Jordan Pepper and ‘Dan Harper’ steadily worked their way up from seventh on the grid. “Finishing on the podium at the Nürburgring is always a success,” emphasised Pepper, still unaware that he would later be declared the winner. He also had sporting words for his prominent rival: “Having Max competing here is great for the sport. He’s an absolute professional who pushes us all. The attention he brings to the Nordschleife is a win for us all.” Comeback runs and class victoriesThere was fierce competition further down the field too. After a furious comeback from tenth on the grid, Falken Motorsport secured third place (which became second following a DSQ). Sven Müller was pleased with the Porsche 911 GT3 R, but noted: “Our race was flawless, even if we were unfortunately still lacking a bit of acceleration compared to the front-runners.” The 48 LOSCH Motorsport by BLACK FALCON team also benefited from the Verstappen team’s misfortune. Their Porsche 911 GT3 R ‘inherited’ the final podium spot and was simultaneously crowned the strongest team in the PRO-AM classification. The team from the Nürburgring Business Park also celebrated victory in the AM classification of the GT3 class (SP9) thanks to drivers Mustafa Mehmet Kaya, Gabriele Piana and Mike Stursberg in another 911. CUP3: Smyrlis Racing prevails in record-breaking fieldIn the CUP3 class, which boasted one of the largest fields of the weekend with a total of 17 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS cars on the grid, there was no getting past Smyrlis Racing’s car number 953. The duo of Oskar Sandberg and Alexander Fielenbach triumphed after 27 laps. They relegated the SRS Team Sorg Rennsport (#959) with Heiko Eichenberg and Calvin de Groot to second place. The podium was completed by the Schmickler Performance team (#950) comprising Horst Baumann, Stefan Schmickler and Kai Riemer. Sandberg was named ‘Driver of the Race’ by the Interessengemeinschaft Langstrecke Nürburgring (ILN), the race organisers and the track commentators for his exceptional performance in the race. SP10: Mercedes victory against strong BMW competitionIn the SP10 class (GT4 cars), nine entrants battled for victory. In the end, the experience of PROsport racing GmbH prevailed: Anton Abee, Yannik Himmels and Jörg Viebahn confidently steered their Mercedes-AMG GT4 (#176) to first place after 27 laps. Second and third places went to the BMW contingent: AV Racing by BLACK FALCON (#177) secured the silver medal, followed by the BMW M4 GT4 from Plusline Motorsport (#155). VT2-RWD: Toyota Supra triumphs in the production carsThings were particularly exciting in the VT2-RWD class (rear-wheel-drive production cars), in which 11 cars lined up on the grid. Here, SRS Team Sorg Rennsport celebrated a resounding victory: car number 524, a Toyota Supra driven by Piet-Jan Ooms, Ionuc Catalin Timis and Thomas Fleming, secured the class win after 25 laps. Following in the next places were the BMW 230i from Schmickler Performance (#55) and another car from Sorg Rennsport, the BMW 330i with start number 514. Conclusion: A world champion caught up in Nordschleife feverMax Verstappen’s farewell sounded like a promise for the future: “For me, the Nordschleife is one of the craziest tracks in the world. I definitely want to drive here as often as possible.” The third round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie takes place on 11 April. The 57th Adenauer ADAC Circuit Trophy will be run over the classic four-hour distance.
19.03.2026
After the season opener had to be cancelled due to weather, anticipation is now building noticeably at the Nürburgring: This coming Saturday (21 March), the lights will finally turn green at the 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, and 136 cars will battle it out for their place in the Green Hell.To help you plan your visit, we’ve put together all of the key information. Tickets Tickets are available from €25 here Children and young people up to and including the age of 14 receive free admission Travel directions & Road Closures Due to asphalt works, the B 257 is currently closed in the Müllenbach area. 🔁 Diversions: From Wiesemscheid via B 258 towards Nürburgring Via L 94 towards Welcherath Via B 410 towards Kelberg Diversions will be clearly signposted on site. Note: Access to the paddock via the BMW M Bridge will be closed over the weekend. Please use the spectator tunnel entrance or the access to the Historic Paddock instead. LIVESTREAM Meet & Greet with Mascot “Legend” Meet our “Legend” on Saturday, March 21, 2026: Pit walk: approx. 10:20 am – approx. 10:50 am Grid walk: approx. 11:00 am – 11:40 am ring°boulevard: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm ring°boulevard: 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Subject to change due to weather conditions. Additional Opening Hours Tourist Drives:Sunday, 8:00 am – 6:30 pmPlease note the new emergency number: +49 (0) 2691 302 9111 ring°kartbahn:Saturday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pmSunday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm ring°kino:Saturday: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pmSunday: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm Nürburgring eSports Bar:Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 amSunday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
17.03.2026
After the season opener quite literally fell through due to weather conditions, the tension at the Nürburgring is palpable: when the lights finally turn green this coming Saturday (March 21) at the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis, all attention will be focused on one of the most high-caliber races in recent years. The enforced break has only intensified the hunger of teams and fans alike—and the starting grid has everything a motorsport enthusiast could wish for at this “true” season opener: from a Formula 1 world champion in a GT3 car to a viral fan project, as well as prominent crossovers and spectacular new additions in the midfield. One name guarantees a serious adrenaline rush at the second NLS round: Max Verstappen. The Dutchman will celebrate his highly anticipated race debut in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 this Saturday. The four-time world champion will take the wheel for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing in car number 3, which will compete in a striking Red Bull-backed design. For Verstappen, the opportunity to go head-to-head with the most experienced Nordschleife veterans marks a crucial step:“The Nürburgring is a special place. There’s no other track like it,” Verstappen says enthusiastically. “Last year I got my license and was able to take part in NLS9, which we won. That preparation is very valuable, as we learned a lot that we can now carry into this year’s program. Now it’s about getting the maximum out of everything.” However, the road to a prestigious victory in the “Green Hell” runs through a field packed with driving talent and technical diversity. The intra-team battle is particularly explosive: the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL (car number 80) presents top-tier competition. With Fabian Schiller and Maxime Martin behind the wheel, two of the fastest Nordschleife specialists are ready to challenge—drivers who know both the car and the tricky Eifel conditions inside out. Beyond that, the Dutchman must hold his own against the elite of the GT3 world. Leading the charge is BMW squad Rowe Racing, fielding two strong M4 GT3 entries with car numbers 98 and 99. With stars like Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Sheldon van der Linde, the team boasts a lineup that is hard to beat in terms of experience and speed. The Italian competition is equally formidable: Red Bull Team Abt enters the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO II (#130), driven by a top-class lineup including former DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti, Nordschleife expert Marco Mapelli, and Patric Niederhauser. The Porsche faction is, as always, highly aggressive heading into the second round. Falken and Dunlop Motorsport rely on two distinctive 911 GT3 R entries (#17, #44), featuring drivers such as veteran Nico Menzel and Tim Heinemann—traditionally among the favorites for overall victory. Brand diversity at the front is further enhanced by the new Aston Martin Vantage entries from Walkenhorst Motorsport, where Christian Krognes—holder of the official lap record—is particularly one to watch in car number 34. Added to this are the spectacular Ford Mustang GT3 cars from Haupt Racing Team (#64, #65) with Arjun Maini, as well as the Ferrari 296 GT3 from REALIZE KONDO RACING with Rinaldi. Scherer Sport PHX, relying on proven Audi power, should not be underestimated either. For Verstappen, the entry list means hard work: to succeed here, he must prove himself against the crème de la crème of international endurance racing. From April Fools’ joke to the NordschleifeA major highlight of the second NLS round is the race debut of the BMW M3 Touring 24H, which is writing a unique story under the motto “You dreamed it, we built it.” What began as a viral April Fools’ joke in April 2025 has now become a real high-performance race car heading to the Nordschleife. What makes it special: the community didn’t just dream it up—they are literally part of it, as the special livery features selected original fan comments. Despite its distinctive wagon silhouette, the car entered by Schubert Motorsport in the SP-X class hides pure racing technology based on the M4 GT3 EVO. “Although the car originated from an April Fools’ joke, it has become an absolutely top-class and competitive race car,” promises BMW works driver Jens Klingmann, who, together with teammate Ugo de Wilde, aims to prove on Saturday that this fan dream performs at the highest level on the asphalt of the Green Hell. BMW Motorsport boss Andreas Roos emphasizes how close this project is to the brand’s heart: “Something like this has never happened at BMW M Motorsport before. I’m thrilled—and I’m sure our fans will be just as excited. I promise everyone a great show.” Like father, like sonWhen motorsport fans hear the name Scheider, they pay attention—for good reason. With Loris Scheider, the next generation is stepping up at NLS2, aiming to follow in his father’s large footsteps. The son of two-time DTM champion and 24-hour race winner Timo Scheider has already gained experience in various racing series and is now taking the next step. The 22-year-old will make his NLS debut in a BMW M240i Racing entered by Keeevin Motorsport, alongside Maximilian Kurz and Riccardo Petrolo. Scheider now lives in the Eifel region and runs the company “Scheiders Nürburgring” together with his father, focusing on vehicle tuning and track conversions.“In the past year and a half, I’ve driven hundreds of laps on the Nordschleife during tourist drives, track days, and also in the simulator,” he says. “Now I finally need to get my permit so I can eventually fulfill the dream of racing together with my father on the Nordschleife. We share the same passion, the same madness—that will be an incredible experience. But for now, I’m just really looking forward to my NLS outings.” From microphone to race carNot only the cars but also the entry list features real eye-catchers: influencer “Happinessa” will compete in the second NLS round, adding a touch of glamour to the paddock. For her, the weekend marks a full-circle moment, as she worked as a presenter for the endurance series from 2019 to 2021. She has since established herself as a racing driver and was the highest-placed female competitor in last year’s NASCAR Euro Series. By competing in the Eifel, she follows in notable footsteps: as Playmate of the Month May 2025—under her real name Vanessa Neumann—she follows directly in the path of Jolanda Egger (later Surer), Playmate of the Year 1983, who already conquered the Green Hell at racing speed in 1992. “Happinessa” will drive a BMW 325i for rent2Drive-MEHRTEC-racing, led by David Ackermann, and is eager to get started:“Even back when I was a presenter, I dreamed of racing on the Nordschleife myself. Now that dream is finally coming true, and I can’t wait to experience the Green Hell from the cockpit perspective.” This proves that passion and horsepower know no limits—whether in front of the camera or in intense on-track battles. From a traditional workshop to the Green HellIn the SP2T class, Bitter Motorsport adds to the grid with the Bitter Corsa, carrying start number #380. For team manager Markus Bitter, racing on the Nordschleife is almost a home event, as his uncle Erich already made history there in the late 1960s with the legendary Opel Rekord 1900 “Black Widow.” The Bitter brand remains true to its rebellious heritage to this day, bringing dynamism and sportiness back to the Opel lineup off the track. The Bitter Corsa in the 2026 NLS season will be driven by Katharina Lippka, Björn Morhin, Christian Schäffer, Jan Soumagne, and Nordschleife expert Volker Strycek. Tickets for the second event of the anniversary season, the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis organized by MSC Sinzig, cost €25 (free for children up to 14 years old) and are available at VLN.de/tickets as well as at the box office. This includes access to the open grandstands at the Grand Prix circuit, the exclusive spectator areas Brünnchen and Pflanzgarten, as well as the paddock, pit lane, and starting grid. Qualifying for the best grid positions takes place between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. During the break between qualifying and the race, fans have plenty of time to get up close to the cars: with a valid ticket, access to the pit lane opens at 10:20 a.m. for the pit walk, followed by the starting grid at 11:10 a.m. with even more hands-on motorsport experiences. The four-hour endurance race starts at 12:00 p.m. The livestream on VLN.de begins at 8:15 a.m. Additionally, “Radio Nürburgring” is available via rpr1.de and in the RPR1 app.
14.03.2026
Low temperatures and snowfall had initially delayed the start of qualifying. Track conditions improved, but the temperatures did not. The tire manufacturers involved in the NLS advised the VLN against holding the 71st ADAC Westfalenfahrt. Race officials ultimately followed the recommendation. The final cancellation at 10:45 a.m. was preceded by two team manager meetings at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., during which VLN officials sought feedback from the teams. “Even though the final decision rests with us, it was important to us to discuss the situation with the participants,” says Christian Vormann, VLN Sports Director. “After an inspection lap, race control decided that the track was drivable. The shoulders were clear of snow and it was slowly drying out. Opinions among the teams were mixed. A vote resulted in a slim majority in favor of holding the event. In the end, the warning from the tire industry tipped the scales in favor of cancellation.” The second round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie will take place this coming weekend. On March 21, Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, among others, will return to the Green Hell in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. 🎟️ Tickets are available here.
10.03.2026
The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is coming out of hibernation with a bang – kicking off its 50th season with a bang on March 14, 2026, with the first race of the season. When the field of 132 registered vehicles lines up for the 71st ADAC Westfalenfahrt, it will quickly become clear that the density of top international drivers has rarely been as high as it is this year. Tickets are available from $25 at VLN.de/tickets. Young people up to the age of 14 have free admission. Those who are not there in person can follow the race day via the free livestream on VLN.de. At the top of the field is Manthey's legendary Porsche 911 GT3 R with start number 911. Not only is reigning DTM champion Ayhancan Güven at the wheel, he is also sharing the cockpit with Porsche works driver Kévin Estre. However, the competition for the ‘Grello’ is more prominent than ever before. Dunlop Motorsport's car number 17 will be driven by Julien Andlauer, who is traveling to the Eifel with the momentum of his overall victory at the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours; he will share the cockpit with Nico Menzel. Team Falken Motorsport also wants to have a say in the overall victory. Morris Schuring, the reigning DTM Junior Champion, will start in the number 44 car alongside Klaus Bachler. REALIZE KONDO RACING with Rinaldi is fielding a real power trio in the race with start number 45. Thierry Vermeulen (Gold Cup winner of the GT World Challenge) and Dennis Marschall (Bronze Champion of the GTWC) will share the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Thomas Neubauer. BMW and Mercedes-AMG upgradeThe Bavarian competition is particularly impressive: BMW is sending three absolute top teams with factory support to the Green Hell. Schubert Motorsport is attacking with start number 77 and a top-class line-up – here, factory drivers Marco Wittmann, Philipp Eng, and Robin Frijns will share the cockpit of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. ROWE RACING is no less ambitious. Car number 98 will be driven by Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Jordan Pepper, while car number 99 will be driven by Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Sheldon Van Der Linde. The Mercedes-AMG faction is also gearing up massively. With start number 80, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL is sending a trio into the race that embodies pure GT3 experience: Maxime Martin, Maro Engel, and Luca Stolz want to bring victory back to Affalterbach at the season opener. The line-up is complemented by another Mercedes-AMG GT3 with start number 3 from Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, with three exceptional talents at the wheel: Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Lucas Auer. Four-time Formula 1 world champion and team namesake Max Verstappen will then join the action at NLS2. After a successful debut season with one victory, the Haupt Racing Team is once again relying on the powerful Ford Mustang GT3. The Pro lineup is rounded off by Konrad Motorsport and the Red Bull Team ABT (both Lamborghini Huracán GT3), Walkenhorst Motorsport (Aston Martin Vantage GT3), Dinamic GT, and Lionspeed GP (Porsche 911 GT3 R). A breath of fresh air in SP9 AM and PRO-AMBut it's not just the pure Pro category that is highly exciting; the SP9 Pro-Am and Am sub-classifications also promise thrilling duels and interesting stories. ProSport Racing, a familiar face on the Nordschleife, is returning to the top class and will be competing with an Aston Martin Vantage GT3. In the AM class, they will face Goroyan RT by Car Collection (Porsche 911 GT3 R), JUTA Racing (Audi R8 LMS), and Renazzo Motorsport (Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO 2). At the same time, exciting new additions to the PRO-AM class are bringing a breath of fresh air and new competition: GAMOTA Racing (BMW M4 GT3 EVO), Toyo Tires with Ring Racing (Mercedes-AMG GT3), and KKRämer Racing (Audi R8 LMS EVO II) are making their debut in the prestigious GT3 class this season. Their opponents include the two Porsche teams Lionspeed GP and 48 LOSCH Motorsport by BLACK FALCON, as well as another Aston Martin from Walkenhorst Motorsport. Masterful driver pairingsHowever, the NLS is not just about the top class: although the fiercely contested Cup classes are not about overall victory, there is still a lot to win. In the BMW M2 Racing class, there is a constellation that will make fans of the championship sit up and take notice: Ranko Mijatovic and Michael Schrey are forming an alliance of champions in car number 888. Mijatovic, who has been the reigning NLS champion since 2024, is teaming up with two-time NLS champion Schrey to bring Team Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport to the forefront. Together, they already have four titles to their name in one car – a record that is normally difficult to beat. But the bar is set even higher this year by the team that has dominated the series almost at will in recent years: Adrenalin Motorsport. The team led by team boss Matthias Unger is fielding a pairing in the VT2-RWD class with start number 500 that can confidently be described as the ‘gold standard’. Philipp Leisen (champion in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023) and Daniel Zils (champion in 2022 and 2023), two of the most successful NLS drivers in recent history, will be sharing a cockpit. Together, they have an impressive six championship titles to their name – a statistical demonstration of power that illustrates why Adrenalin Motorsport has been the team to beat for years. Philipp Stahlschmidt completes the trio. Masterful team performancesOnce again this year, the line-ups of some teams are impressive. SRS Team Sorg Rennsport leads the statistics with an impressive eleven registered vehicles, spread across the SP10, VT2, CUP2, and CUP3 classes. Close on its heels is the aforementioned Team Adrenalin Motorsport, which also has an enormous presence with nine cars, covering the highly competitive V6, V5, and BMW M240i categories, among others. Speaking of class strength: the CUP3 class of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PETN) for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS has the largest starting field of the season opener with 21 starters, followed by the VT2-RWD with 14 and the CUP2 (Porsche 911 GT3 Cup) with twelve cars. Tickets for the opening race of the anniversary season, the 71st ADAC Westfalenfahrt, cost €25 (children under 14 free) and are available at VLN.de/tickets and at the box office. This gives access to the open grandstands on the Grand Prix circuit, the exclusive spectator areas Brünnchen and Pflanzgarten, as well as the paddock, pit lane, and starting grid. The best positions on the starting grid will be decided in qualifying between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. During the break between qualifying and the race, fans will have plenty of time to experience the cars up close: with a ticket, they can enter the pit lane for the pit walk at 10:20 a.m., before the starting grid at 11:10 a.m. offers even more motorsport action up close. The four-hour endurance race starts at 12 noon. The livestream at VLN.de begins at 8:15 a.m. In addition, there is ‘Radio Nürburgring’ at rpr1.de and in the RPR1 app.
27.02.2026
The finale of the Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) promises maximum excitement this Saturday as the sim racing elite lines up for the BILSTEIN 3h race on the virtual Nordschleife. Over a distance of three hours, the final decisive points of the season will be contested in the iRacing simulation. Fans can follow all the action live, as the race will once again be broadcast via vln.de as well as on the official YouTube channel of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. Particular attention will be on the dramatic battle for the overall cross-class championship, where a true nail-biting finale is emerging ahead of the final round. The fight for the DNLS championship title is set up for high drama, with three teams within striking distance at the top. The BMW M2 Racing of BS+COMPETITION (#284) and the Porsche 911 GT3 CUP of EMM Esports (#905) are tied at the top of the standings with 48 points each. Just three points behind, SimRC, fielding the BMW M4 GT4 (#176) with 45 points, is waiting to capitalize on any mistake by the frontrunners. As the leading teams currently have no penalty points and would also be equal in number of wins should they succeed in the finale, a special regulation applies in the event of a tie on points: the championship would then be decided by the lower total number of iRacing incident points accumulated over the entire season. Here, BS+COMPETITION heads into the race as favorite with only 27 incidents, followed by SimRC with 40 and EMM Esports with 55 incidents. Clean driving without track limit violations or collisions will therefore be the decisive factor in determining the champion. Additional spice is added to this duel by the allocation of bonus points: one extra point is awarded for pole position and one for the fastest race lap. This means the tie could already be broken in qualifying, even before the starting lights turn green for the three-hour race. In the top SP9 class, everything points to a direct duel between two BMW teams. BS+COMPETITION leads the standings with 39 points but holds only a narrow advantage over Team Falken Simracing SP9, which remains within striking distance on 37 points. The MAHLE RACING TEAM currently sits third with its Ford Mustang GT3 on 23 points, followed by HRT Esports by Coanda with 20 points. While the front of the field is tightly packed, teams such as SZESE E-Sport and Nürburgring eSports, both on 11 points, are battling for a positive end to the season within the top five of the highly competitive GT3 class. In the Porsche Esports Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PEETN) class, there is a special feature in the standings to note on Saturday: while the official DNLS table evaluates the team and the car, Manthey, as organizer of the PEETN, also runs additional separate rankings. Alongside the team standings, which EMM Esports (#905) already secured at DNLS3, the focus here is primarily on the drivers. In the PEETN drivers’ standings, Raphael Rennhofer leads with 48 points, followed by Luca Alpert with 36 points. In addition, the AM drivers’ classification organized by Manthey provides a dedicated platform for amateurs, where Jan Winter currently leads with 30 points ahead of George Tyler with 26 points. A similarly commanding picture emerges in the SP10 class for GT4 cars. SimRC leads the field with 45 points after scoring maximum points plus bonus points in two of the three races held so far. Williams F1 Team Gaming follows in second place with 33 points, while Falken Simracing SP10 holds third with 26 points. In the BMW M2 Racing class, the situation mirrors that of the PEETN class: BS+COMPETITION is the benchmark here with 48 points. SCHERER ESPORT M2 CSR sits second with 31 points, followed by Nürburgring eSports with 18 points. This sets the stage clearly for the BILSTEIN 3h race: in almost all classes, it is not only about the race win, but about the prestigious title in one of the toughest online racing series in the world. Click here for the livestream.
24.02.2026
In March, the Nordschleife traditionally awakens from its winter hibernation – and this year, it's going from zero to one hundred right away. Starting on Saturday, March 7, the gates to the legendary 20.832 kilometers will reopen for tourist drives. The action continues over the following weekends: in addition to further dates for tourist drivers, there are two races in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (March 14 and 21). March will be rounded off with a joyful “Ally Pally” atmosphere at Darts am Ring on Saturday, March 28. These are the Nürburgring highlights in March: Season start for tourist drivers | March 7 & 8The starting signal for more than 170 days of tourist driving this year: On Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, the barriers to the Nordschleife will open for the first time in 2026. It is a cherished tradition that numerous tourist drivers and petrolheads meet at the track for this occasion – for the first laps together or the long-awaited reunion among like-minded people. And even after the opening weekend, the fun continues. From the following Sunday (March 15), the Nordschleife will be open almost every day in March. As usual, anyone can take to the Nordschleife or Grand Prix circuit in their own vehicle during tourist drives. Prices remain stable: a lap on the Nordschleife from Friday to Sunday costs €35, as before, and a lap during the week costs €30. A stint (15 minutes) on the Grand Prix circuit costs €35 for motorcyclists and car drivers alike. Important note: A new emergency number applies from this season: +49 (0) 2691 302 9111. Season opener ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series | March 14 & 21Two races in seven days and a colorful starting field: The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) is kicking off the new season at full throttle. Immediately after the season opener on Saturday, March 14, the second race will take place the following weekend (March 21). The second date was set at short notice to take advantage of a gap in the Formula 1 calendar. After all, superstar Max Verstappen is planning to participate in the 24-hour race this year and would potentially like to compete in this NLS race as preparation. He is not alone in this: especially in the first races of the year, the top cars of the major endurance teams are always strongly represented in view of the big highlight of the season. Fans can therefore look forward to a particularly large number of GT cars from Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG. The ticket for €25 (children under 14 free) includes admission to the paddock, the starting grid, and all spectator areas. If you want to treat yourself to an upgrade, first-class catering and the best seats are available with the “RACE&LUNCH” ticket (€190) or the full VIP package (€285) – the latter even includes a guided bus tour of the Nordschleife shortly before the start of the race. Darts am Ring Gala | March 28Ally Pally goes Green Hell: On Saturday, March 28, the ring°arena will once again be transformed into a madhouse of celebrating darts fans. For the fifth time, the world's elite of flying darts will be guests at the “Darts am Ring Gala” in the Eifel. They will be frenetically cheered on by thousands of fans of the sport in the indoor location of the Nürburgring. This year's line-up for the official PDC event is led by former world champion Luke Humphries and reigning vice world champion Gian van Veen. Also taking part are stars such as Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, and Germany's “Maximiser” Max Hopp, all of whom competed in this year's World Championship. If you still want to be there, you should hurry: only a few tickets are still available for the darts spectacle at the Nürburgring – starting at just €30. These can be purchased online at nuerburgring.de. The Nürburgring highlights in March 2026: 07. & 08. March: Saisonstart Touristenfahrten Nordschleife 14. March: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Race 1 21. March: ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Race 2 28. March: RCN / GLP – Run 1 28. March: Darts am Ring Gala
25.01.2026
The VLN is rescheduling the second round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) 2026 to March 21. Moving the event forward by one week takes advantage of an existing gap in the Formula 1 calendar between the Chinese Grand Prix (March 15) and the Japanese Grand Prix (March 29), thus opening up the opportunity for drivers from the pinnacle of motorsport and other international racing series to take part. Mike Jäger: We are acting in the interests of motorsport “The decision to move a date that had been fixed at an early stage was made after intensive discussions with many stakeholders, carefully weighing all interests – in the interests of motorsport. We want to further expand the global visibility that the NLS achieved last year through Max Verstappen’s participation, for the benefit of all teams and competitors.” The VLN would like to extend special thanks to the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring (RCN) as well as the circuit operator. The RCN season opener had originally been scheduled for March 21. However, the officials of the grassroots racing series selflessly agreed to swap dates with the NLS. The Nürburgring also approved the change. This cooperative show of unity underlines the strong sense of solidarity among the organizers at the Nürburgring. The 2026 season of the ADAC RAVENOL NLS gets underway one week earlier: the major season opener (NLS 1) will take place on March 14. Tickets for all races are already available in advance starting at €25.
