Inside the Nurburgring turf war: Introducing the players and what's at stake

The political turmoil surrounding the Nordschleife and the now-defunct NES series has taken a dramatic turn with the announcement of a rival series by ADAC Nordrhein. This new development has complicated the already intricate landscape of endurance racing on the iconic Nurburgring circuit, with high stakes at play. The future of the 24-hour marathon and the Nordschleife itself hangs in the balance.

To comprehend the intricacies of this high-stakes standoff, it is essential to understand the key players involved, their underlying motivations, and their differing visions for the Green Hell.

Firstly, the VLN and the NLS are crucial to understanding the current situation. The VLN's organisational structure dates back to the 1970s German club culture, with four major motoring clubs owning 12.5% shares in VLN Sport GmbH & Co. KG. Duren and Munster lack dedicated events, leaving the other clubs to co-host rounds. VLN Sport handles commercial operations, having taken over from its previous joint venture partner when tensions arose in 2023.

Mike Jager, formerly a driver, has been leading VLN Sport since late 2022, focusing on a customer-first approach to boost entry numbers.

On the other hand, the ADAC is the dominant force in German motorsport, responsible for hosting national championships like the DTM and ADAC GT Masters. However, the ADAC is not a monolithic entity. It is divided into 18 regional clubs, each with considerable autonomy, especially in motorsport governance. For the Nurburgring situation, three regional powerhouses - ADAC Nordrhein, Mittelrhein, and Westfalen - hold sway.

ADAC Nordrhein, with over three million members, is the main promoter of the Nurburgring 24 Hours. The club has a strong focus on GT3 ("SP") classes and Balance of Performance (BoP) decisions, while adopting VLN's "V" class regulations. ADAC Nordrhein's leadership, including sporting director Walter Hornung and Head of Motorsport Mirco Hansen, believes that the VLN's committee-driven structure is outdated and burdensome, favoring a more agile and professional governance structure.