Redevelopment at the Nurburgring
Discussion
I was up at the Ring last week for the first time in a while, and saw all the development work which is taking place. There was a Porsche Driver Training session going on at the Dorint Hotel.
There is a massive amount of development taking place, and I thought that it looked impressive, if a bit disjointed in a Las Vegas/Disney sort of way. However, it appears that it will create a varied and comprehensive attraction for families, not just the totally hardened car nuts, ergo it will be easier to persuade the wife/gf to go.
I believe they have had some funding difficulties, understandable in the present climate, but are pretty well through the work. I thought it was good. Anyone know anything about it or have any views?
There is a massive amount of development taking place, and I thought that it looked impressive, if a bit disjointed in a Las Vegas/Disney sort of way. However, it appears that it will create a varied and comprehensive attraction for families, not just the totally hardened car nuts, ergo it will be easier to persuade the wife/gf to go.
I believe they have had some funding difficulties, understandable in the present climate, but are pretty well through the work. I thought it was good. Anyone know anything about it or have any views?
the background of this kind of "theme park" is that the Nürburgring GmbH wants to make the Ring attractive all year long. Until now its dead during wintertime.
the financial problems already started before the economical cirsis and in my opinion its a waste of tax-payers money and the complete project not cost effective as nobody is traveling in this rough climated area during autumn or winter time.
another big hotel will open (besides the existing one). the private owned b&b´s and local hotels are already afraid about this situation and think that they will loose guests.
i think all these new buildings make the ring un-attractive. until now you could park directly in front of the tribune, short walk to the entrance, everything was green and a bit "wild" nature.
by the way..also the Hockenheimring Gmbh is bankrupt...but not the first time....
the financial problems already started before the economical cirsis and in my opinion its a waste of tax-payers money and the complete project not cost effective as nobody is traveling in this rough climated area during autumn or winter time.
another big hotel will open (besides the existing one). the private owned b&b´s and local hotels are already afraid about this situation and think that they will loose guests.
i think all these new buildings make the ring un-attractive. until now you could park directly in front of the tribune, short walk to the entrance, everything was green and a bit "wild" nature.
by the way..also the Hockenheimring Gmbh is bankrupt...but not the first time....
There was a spot just now on German TV about the redevelopment where they're hoping for it to be ready for the upcoming Formula 1 although most of the builders they interviewed were rather sceptical about that. The official opening is next Thursday where there is some boxing match in the new arena, oh and the rollercoaster is the fastest in the world.
a friend of mine visitd the ring on 27th of june:
he was shocked about such a new amount of buildings, a shopping area, restaurants and 2(!!) hotels: a 4 and a 3 star.
he reported that the orignal "flair"/style of the ring was sacrfied for the commerce...and thereofe dediced not to visit the ring anymore (he was a frequent visiter since years).
i will give it a try and visit the ring at august.
he was shocked about such a new amount of buildings, a shopping area, restaurants and 2(!!) hotels: a 4 and a 3 star.
he reported that the orignal "flair"/style of the ring was sacrfied for the commerce...and thereofe dediced not to visit the ring anymore (he was a frequent visiter since years).
i will give it a try and visit the ring at august.
Reading the German press, this looks more and more like a tax money fraud of biblical proportions by the current government (SPD) of the county Rheinland-Pfalz. Some news suggest that around 300 million Euros will have spent on the project "Nürburgring 2009" once it's finished - hopefully soon.
The mayor force behind the "Nürburgring 2009" - the Nürburgring GmbH (100% owned by Rheinland-Pfalz and controlled by its government) - tried (or should I say "faked") to get private investors into the boat but the fair of them refused - obviously because the whole thing stinks financially. One of the so called private investors even spend a night or two in jail in Dubai because of a bad check - great company. After the "private" financing burst the county Rheinland-Pfalz now carries the cost - meaning the tax payer. Thank you ever so much.
There're many sources about this on the internet - most in German, though.
I don't want to do bad talking here because I love motor sport and the Nürburgring but AFAIK this thing can be done a bit more "rational", surely. Two words spring to mind: "proper management" are two words - "a bunch of Bremer Stadtmusikanten who already dumped 600 million in Bremen a couple of years ago on a pointless attraction park" are not.
What have they built at the Ring (and that partly without building permission) ? Hotels and appartements, the "fastest" (hahaha) rollercoaster in the world, shopping areas... it's another pointless attraction park for god's sake !!! Again !!! Oh not just that, add the FIA fence around the Nordschleife to attract even more public. Yes, I'm bitter...
Just out of interest, did anyone see the "beat the Germans a second time" campaign and what did you think of it ? BTW, the view on the Nordschleife as seen on the poster does't exist anymore because it's spoilt by the FIA fence nowadays. Anyway, this campaign paid was financed out of the German tax payer's pocket. Did you just think the same as I did ? Tell me... and don't mention the war.
@ cptsideways: Good to see your ring racer in front ;o)
The mayor force behind the "Nürburgring 2009" - the Nürburgring GmbH (100% owned by Rheinland-Pfalz and controlled by its government) - tried (or should I say "faked") to get private investors into the boat but the fair of them refused - obviously because the whole thing stinks financially. One of the so called private investors even spend a night or two in jail in Dubai because of a bad check - great company. After the "private" financing burst the county Rheinland-Pfalz now carries the cost - meaning the tax payer. Thank you ever so much.
There're many sources about this on the internet - most in German, though.
I don't want to do bad talking here because I love motor sport and the Nürburgring but AFAIK this thing can be done a bit more "rational", surely. Two words spring to mind: "proper management" are two words - "a bunch of Bremer Stadtmusikanten who already dumped 600 million in Bremen a couple of years ago on a pointless attraction park" are not.
What have they built at the Ring (and that partly without building permission) ? Hotels and appartements, the "fastest" (hahaha) rollercoaster in the world, shopping areas... it's another pointless attraction park for god's sake !!! Again !!! Oh not just that, add the FIA fence around the Nordschleife to attract even more public. Yes, I'm bitter...
Just out of interest, did anyone see the "beat the Germans a second time" campaign and what did you think of it ? BTW, the view on the Nordschleife as seen on the poster does't exist anymore because it's spoilt by the FIA fence nowadays. Anyway, this campaign paid was financed out of the German tax payer's pocket. Did you just think the same as I did ? Tell me... and don't mention the war.
@ cptsideways: Good to see your ring racer in front ;o)
Edited by Hansgerd on Thursday 23 July 20:18
I was there in March and then again this weekend. I could see there was a lot going on in March but couldnt really get an idea of the scale. I was shocked when we arrived on Friday and I saw the new buildings. To be honest it looks really impressive. Looking around was fun and the only thing that I really didnt like was the amount of 'fan' shops cashing in and the changes to the ring cafe in the car park by the track entrance. It used to have a really nice feel to it with all the old ring photos, paintings for sale etc etc. It is now called the Devils Diner and it so tacky. Why the people that did this felt that an american style diner would appeal to the sort of peeople that visit the track, I really dont understand. There are pictures of nascar and tacky accessories everywhere and it feels very alien. A tasteful ring orientated cafe would have been so much better. My opinion only of course.
Below are some photos for those that haven't visited for a while.
Below are some photos for those that haven't visited for a while.
Was passing through last week and stopped for a nose around.
Hated it, was like a vast shopping mall.....was empty as well. The price of things is a joke. Went to get a couple of coffees and the price came up at almost 7 quid, snorted and walked off.....can't pay cash either, need a ring card.
Had a browse around the Ferrari and Aston shops, again, prices are stupid....Ferrari branded driving shoes for excess of 300 euro as an example.
They've also got rid of the museum and put in some sort of family based theme park!
I don't think the small hotels need worry about competition as the prices of the new one are way higher....prob 50 to 100%. In fact, the weekend of 22nd to 23rd the ONLY hotel with spaces is the Lindner.
I fail to see how any of this is going to improve winter trade.
Hated it, was like a vast shopping mall.....was empty as well. The price of things is a joke. Went to get a couple of coffees and the price came up at almost 7 quid, snorted and walked off.....can't pay cash either, need a ring card.
Had a browse around the Ferrari and Aston shops, again, prices are stupid....Ferrari branded driving shoes for excess of 300 euro as an example.
They've also got rid of the museum and put in some sort of family based theme park!
I don't think the small hotels need worry about competition as the prices of the new one are way higher....prob 50 to 100%. In fact, the weekend of 22nd to 23rd the ONLY hotel with spaces is the Lindner.
I fail to see how any of this is going to improve winter trade.
Gassing Station | Germany | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff