Nurburgring Speed Limits To Be Removed But There's A Catch

The Nurburgring, the go-to place for track day fans and car manufacturers to prove just how good their cars are, will finally see the end of the speed limits recently introduced following a fatal accident during the VLN Endurance Championship at the end of March.

However, the race track will undergo as much as 16 improvements to increase the safety standards for both spectators and drivers, seven of which will be implemented during the winter downtime between November 2015 and March 2016. Details of all 16 improvements are vague at the moment.

"Based on detailed measurement, we will renew the track surface in the Flugplatz section over a length of about 500 metres, smoothing out five bumps which are the result of years of high utilisation and heavy use of the Nordschleife," Carsten Schumacher, managing director of Nurburgring operator CNG, explains.

Why the attention on the Flugplatz section? This video explains why as you’ll see many prototypes from carmakers “flying” over the bump. Exciting, yes. Safe, not so.

Other developments include a restricted zone around the Schwedenkreuz area, plus installing additional FIA safety fences and guardrails to improve the safety of spectators as well.

"The unique character of the Nordschleife will be preserved. That's not only important for motor racing but also for the industry, which has been testing its vehicles on this unique race track for decades," says Carsten Schumacher.

This is certainly excellent news for car manufacturers who have not had their crack at The Green Hell in their latest machines like Koenigsegg with their One:1. With the One:1 setting a new record at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium not too long ago, it certainly makes it a top contender to be among the quickest to lap the ‘Ring.