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Nurburgring History
Read our short historic guide to the Nurburgring.
A short film about the history of the Nurburgring
Early 1920’s
Exciting but dangerous road races were held in the
Construction began on a unique mountain circuit in 1925. It would provide work for the people and attract tourism.
1927 – 1939
The track opened featuring 3 loops.
The Nordschleife (
The Sudschleife (
The Betonschleife (Warm up loop) - 1.4 miles around the pit area.
The loops were used for racing and testing in a variety of configurations.
Most of the motorcycle races were held on the safer Sudschleife.
The German Grand Prix was held in 1927. Tourists could use the track in the evening and at weekends. World War II halted track use in 1939.
This film shows the 1939 Nurburgring GP. No crash barriers in sight.
The track was open again for racing, testing and tourist laps. The lap times became lower as the vehicles got faster. See how the cars became quicker over the years.
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1931 Grand Prix
Lap time - 11.38
Driver - Achille Varzi
Car - Bugatti T51
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1961 Grand Prix
Lap time - 8.55
Driver – Phil Hill
Car - Ferrari 156 “Sharknose”
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1969 Grand Prix
Lap time - 7.42
Driver – Jackie Ickx
Car – Brabham BT26A-Ford
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The F1 drivers boycotted the 1970 Grand Prix. Changes were demanded for better safety.
Still no safety barriers for the much faster 1967 GP.
1971-1983
The track was straightened and the worst bumps were smoothed. Armco barriers were installed in certain areas. The speed of the cars carried on rising so the drivers once again asked for more safety.
Television companies complained about the length of the circuit. It was impossible to film the entire race properly.
In 1975 Niki Lauda's pole position time was down to 7 minutes. A year later he was badly burned due to an accident in the 1976 German Grand Prix. Formula 1 would never return to the old circuit.
In 1980 the last German Motorcycle Grand Prix was held on the Nordschleife.
In 1981 work began on a shorter safer circuit to replace the North Loop.
The South Loop and the Warm Up loop were removed to make room for the newly approved GP-Strecke. The Nordschleife was shortened slightly to 12.9 miles.
In 1983 Stefan Bellof set a lap time of 6.11 in a Porsche 956 Sports Car. This lap time remains the fastest ever on the 12.9 mile Nordschleife.
1983 footage of Stefan Bellof setting the fastest lap ever in a Porsche 956.
The fast ever camera lap was in 1983, in a Porsche 956 driven by Derek Bell.
The GP-Strecke didn’t end racing on the Nordschleife. Touring car races are still held on the old circuit.
BMW gave the motorsport fans a treat. Nick Heidfeld was allowed to lap the Northloop in an F1 car.
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The Nurburgring 24hr race features over 200 cars competing in a variety of classes.
The tourist sessions are still popular, as are the track days and tuition days.
Car companies continue to use the facilities to test their prototypes to the limit.
The Nurburgring continues to be a fascinating place to visit.
Please have a look at our great Ring Video page
