One of the most evocative venues in motorsport history, the Nurburgring has changed a lot from its original layout, created in the 1920s as much as a proving ground for the German motor industry as for racing. Carving through the forests of the Eifel mountains, the 14.2 mile Nordschleife circuit featured more than 170 turns, rose and fell more than 1,000 feet over the course of a lap, and had blind crests that sent cars airborne.
The Nordschleife hosted the Formula One German Grand Prix 34 times until 1976, when the final race was marred by a serious crash involving the legendary Niki Lauda. After minor changes, it hosted endurance races, including the Nurburgring 1,000km, and the lap record of 6min 11.1s for the final version of the old circuit is still held by a sports car, Stefan Bellof’s Porsche 956 in 1983.
The new circuit opened in 1984 and was extended in 2002. A more modest 3.2 miles, with just 17 turns, it remains popular with current F1 drivers, many of whom have said it retains at least something of the character of the classic “Green Hell”.
2024 will see the 52nd running of the 24 hours race at the Nurburgring. The race combines both the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit laptimes for the really quick GT2 and GT3 cars are well under 9 minutes – and viewing opportunities are excellent.
The spectator areas are mini-villages, with six-foot fire pits, impromptu sofa grandstands and reservoirs of kegged lager; while behind the wheel drivers take on the most daunting of tracks. The place is unique, magical, raw, dangerous and seriously fun, day and night; it is a music festival-meets-Oktoberfest-drinking-meets-camping-extravaganza. The Nordschleife is huge with serious elevations; you can simply pick a spot or two to view at the Nordschleife or venture out further into the track which does take effort.
In the pit lane there is a sporting spirit that comes from another age, perhaps because works teams are shoulder to shoulder with privately-run track specialists. There is also the tremendous manufacturer rivalry; no less than eight factories entered the last event, while Porsche provided the most cars at 37.
With approximately 250,000 people watching the 159 strong multi-class field (ranging from full-blown GT3s to Renault Clios and Opel Mantas, the manufacturers are ever more interested in harnessing the event – creating ever more competition and performance.
Prices are for 4 nights; Wednesday – Sunday or Thursday – Monday.
Electricity: Available at check-in. Approximate cost £27 per pitch
| Travel Package Price / All prices are per person / 4 nts Camping | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Crossing | 4 in a Car | 3 in a Car | 2 in a Car |
| P&O Ferries Dover - Calais - Dover | £175 | £189 | £219 |
| Eurotunnel Folkestone - Dover - Folkestone | £189 | £209 | £249 |
| P&O Ferries Hull - Rotterdam - Hull | £205 | £219 | £255 |
The campsite is located at the Nurburgring, adjacent to grandstands T5, T6, T7 and T8. The camping area offers 1,200 spaces over 300,000 square metres; it opens on Wednesday and camping areas are not reserved. Sanitary facilities with hot water showers are available, in addition to several washing facilities and water points for drinking water. Barbecuing is allowed as well as campfires; firewood can be purchased locally at affordable prices.
Although all grandstands are within easy reach, the campsite offers a free shuttle service from the entrance to the start / finish (T3, T4, short walk to T11) and back again.
The campsite Event Centre has a restaurant, snack bar, beer tent and bar; on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there is live music and entertainment. In the shop, you will find fresh bread, food, drinks, ice cream and much more for your personal needs.
In order to haver the best choice of camping area, it is recommended that you should arrive on Wednesday or early Thursday. Many campers leave Sunday but some depart Monday.
For P&O Ferries, the following is available on the Dover-Calais-Dover crossing:
For P&O Ferries Hull – Rotterdam – Hull, it is mandatory to purchase cabins for the overnight crossings, as below:
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for On Site Motorsports No. 5596, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for: Non-flight packages
