defianty Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Thought I'd post this up as it seems a few of you guys may be heading to the Nürburgring next year. Lets hope it gets sorted! If your not up on whats happening, its not looking brilliant at the ring at the minute, heres a bit of lowdown. "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.. 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. facebook.com/SaveTheRing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 sounds like a major f*ck up at the ring, who decided that all that was a bright idea and let them go ahead with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 My understanding of the issues at Nurburgring is that the private developers Kai Richter and Jörg Lindner were to turn the site into a commercial industrial and theme park and that no callendar would be forthcoming for 2011 and that the Nurburgring as it is know now for track events would be no more. I sincerely hope that this is not the case, but I have a car that is permanently garaged at the ring and I was advised of this potential situation in September 2010. :o( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 i may never have a chance to drive the ring then Zmanalex is like the sabine of knockhill Alex you should just buy over the ring, i'm sure that sort of cash is pocket money for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff-r Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I'm sorry but from reading that it's quite clear that the new owners have tried to exploit the ring for something it has never been and rightly so they've f*cked up, it ain't Abu Dhabi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 their thinking probably was that people who race have money, so why not milk them for even more. that or they thought they could increase business by offering more. just looks like they arse raped the ring really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Zmanalex is like the sabine of knockhill Thanks Neil I really like Sabine and now everytime I think of her I may start my own facebook site dedicated to Sabine's Ring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Better get over there and drive it now before it closes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Why do we have to pay for such c@!k-ups Its a bloody disgrace that such investment was made without sound research and forecasting and now the sh%t has hit the fan, we enthusiast are most likely going to be shafted royally somehow The only good news is that its Germany and so everything would be done to save the place or preserve the status at all cost. If it were here in our nanny state it would just be the final reason for the health and safety brigade to go in for the kill and close down the place Please guys and gals lets show support with Sabine and get our voices heard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Zmanalex is like the sabine of knockhill Thanks Neil I really like Sabine and now everytime I think of her I may start my own facebook site dedicated to Sabine's Ring hahah i was gonna say he's missing a few vital assets to fully replicate her.... unfortunately im not on facebook as i really hate how it has taken over, its like the iphone(although i did eventually crack and got one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Zmanalex is like the sabine of knockhill Thanks Neil I really like Sabine and now everytime I think of her I may start my own facebook site dedicated to Sabine's Ring His tits aren't as nice as Sabine's though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Zmanalex is like the sabine of knockhill Thanks Neil I really like Sabine and now everytime I think of her I may start my own facebook site dedicated to Sabine's Ring His tits aren't as nice as Sabine's though! haha nice one vik! once alex loves us and abandons us you'll take title as the queen of knockers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 This is mega sad news, I can totally relate to the empty complex, units empty and a vast amount of space wasted. I also noticed the roller coaster and was keen to have a go on it, although clearly it doesn't work. The welcome centre was good with a museum of motor racing and the ring, although the busiest area was the ring itself, what does that tell you! The ring won't go, it's a massive marque of Germany, although to help potential investors support from those who know of the ring and have experienced it should support it's future. Loved Sabines Christmas hat!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 typicall crappy news. Saw that a while back and decided to close the browser down and look over my project plans... Best to do what needs to be done : default the place and let someone else take over... ring will still be there , better be for April 2011... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 BMW should just buy it, with Sabine as the official spokesperson of the place. After all she has been always associated with The Ring and BMW throughout her career. Manufacturers and tuning companys the world over use the ring for testing and even people like us get to use it. I'm sure that even if all the other garnish fails, the Ring itself will still continue (hopefully under new management without delusions of grandure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andlid Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Don't think the BMW lads want to pay 400 million for it. Default the place and have them pay 10% of that would still take a while if there are only 370k visiting every year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Maybe all the big german car manufacturers should join forces and co-own it, BMW, Mercedes, VW... I mean think about it, if they can commit millions into R&D for future cars (which they don't even know whether they become reality) then surely something can be done jointly. The Ring is part of the history of each car manufacturer (at least European ones) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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