While the Nordschleife continues to be profitable, its parent company, Nürburgring GmbH, is declaring bankruptcy. The organization, 90% controlled by the Rhineland-Palitinate state government, says that it needs €13 million near term, and that it will run out of money by July 30.
Anticipated funding from the European Union will not come in time to address the problem; it may not come at all.
The problem stems from a hotel and amusement park complex built in 2004 that has never generated the additional revenue that was anticipated. Automobile magazine says that the costs of running the amusement park and hotels are draining the organization’s resources.
While the amusement park may be closed, the race tracks will continue to operate for now. Both Automobile and Autoweek.com indicate that the future beyond this year is uncertain.
The DTM will race on the short circuit at the Ring in August, and the German Grand Prix is scheduled to run there in 2013.—Brian S. Morgan, motorsports editor, bmwcca.org
