We all love driving the Nürburgring, whether it’s in public sessions, trackdays or races. But, let’s be honest for a moment, it’s the racing that makes the history. Without real racing, a circuit is just a road.
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And if you’ve ever wondered how you should go about taking that next step, how you could enter, compete and even win a race, then this is the page for you.
There’s a lot of racing at the Nürburgring each year, but only certain events and championships actually take to the old 20.8km Nordschleife. Here are the ones you can realistically enter. And yes, this makes iRacing seem like even better value than ever before!
Here’s a very brief guide to it all.
- Bring your racing license
- Choose a race
- Nordschleife Permit
- Equipment
- Bring your own car, or Arrive’n’Drive
1. Bring your racing license
As you may have noticed, every racer needs a license. Each country has its own FIA-affiliated club which you can join. They have their own prices, rules and regulations, all approved by the FIA.
• UK – Start with an MSA training course, a practical test then get your National B. You’ll need six results to get to National A. Then another six at three different circuits to get Int C.
• DE – German residents can do a DMSB approved training course to get National A. Then five top 50% results in a National event to get your Int C upgrade.
• USA – SWE – BE – NO – FIN – DK – FR – IT – CH – AUT ? (let us know in the comments below!)
2. Choose your race
| Series name | Minimum license | Nordschleife Permit | Details | Entry Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngtimer | FIA Int. D | C | The Youngtimer Trophy comes to the 'Ring four times a year, and the old Nordschleife three times. While historic cars don't need the permit, the youngtimers do. Cars with more than 4.5kg-per-HP need a B, others need an A. | • 2016 YT Calendar • License Requirements |
| RCN | National A | C | Time Trial and regularity rest over a 15-lap race. Can be split between 2 drivers. Eight events per year, no permit required. Ninth event is a 3-hour endurance race! | • R-C-N |
| VLN | FIA Int. D | B or A | Nine races per year, four hours each. One race is a six-hour event. Permits required, either B or A depending on your car. | • VLN.de |
| N24 | FIA Int. C | A | The big one! Every competitor needs an FIA Int. C license and the full Permit A | • 24h-information.de |
| WTCC | FIA Int. A | Compulsory testing day | If you've got a WTCC drive, you're probably not reading this guide. But if you are, that's cool. |
3. Nordschleife Permit (DPN)
The DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) is something you’ll need to drive 99% of races at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It’s an indicator of a race driver’s Nordschleife experience, and is split into C, B and A grades:
- C = Youngtimers/Oldtimers/RCN
- B = VLN in cars with more than 4.5kg/hp
- A = VLN in fast cars and N24
National A license holders can get a permit C with a relatively simple e-learning course and track walk, previous RCN competitors of the last 2 years get an automatic pass on this too.
To upgrade to your permit B, you have a few choices. No matter what, you’re going to do the A/B e-learning course. Then, if you’re an experienced racer with a minimum of International C license already, you can attend a DPN license course (dates below). These more experienced Int. C drivers can also complete just one RCN in the top 75% of their class as a single starter (15 laps) OR split over 2 races as part of a 2-driver team.
| Date | Organiser | Price | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd March | Motorsport Akademie | €1580 | Race cars and Road cars | Click here |
| 13th April | Motorsport Akademie | €790 | Road legal cars only | Click here |
| 9th May | Motorsport Akademie | €790 | Road legal cars only | Click here |
| 13th June | Motorsport Akademie | €1580 | Road legal cars only | Click here |
If you’re less experienced, and only holding a National A, then it’s going to be 3 RCN races to get that permit B. Yep, that means no VLN without some serious groundwork.
Finally, to claim your permit A, you’re going to do the e-learning course. Then you’re going to need a minimum of an International D license, and 2 VLN results in the top 75% of your class (minimum of 3 starters and 18 laps completed).
If you’re serious about joining, you need the official DMSB rules translated to English in a PDF just here.
4. Equipment
You need different gear in every country, but to race the Nordschleife you basically need everything. To start with; FIA approved pants, socks, undergarments, suit, balaclava and gloves. Secondly your helmet will need a neck-restraint too. Whether that’s a HANS or a Simpson is up to you. But they’re compulsory.
Lastly most teams require you to have a communication headset too.
5. Arrive and drive!
I’m not going to explain how to build an N24 or VLN car, sorry. But I can explain how most people race the VLN and RCN – it’s arrive and drive.
When you consider how diverse the grid is, with drivers from all over the world, it’s no surprise that in VLN the arrive and drive option is the most popular option.
How does it work? Local (and sometimes not so local) teams build cars, then charge drivers either per race, or per seat in the car. Even the cheapest car in VLN is going to burn €2000 just getting to the grid and probably another €2000 in the race. Something like an M235i with a pit crew will be north of €10,000. How teams split that between drivers is up to them, but typically it’s split between 2 and 4 drivers.
You can contact me below, if you’d like to know more.