The future of Nurburging?

[Desaevious]

Just posted on autoblog today...what's the general consensus? Awesome or sell out?

The Nürburgring in Germany has gained notoriety of late as being the battleground on which automakers pit their weapons-grade production sports cars against each other for lap time bragging rights. Open to the public through the months of April and October, it is also the Mecca for any motoring enthusiast worth his or her salt. We're told a whole heck of a lot of construction is going on at the track right now, which is part of a €215 million investment in upgrades that will help the Green Hell attract more patrons and open it up for the entire year.

The new development includes some outlandish additions, so much so that we checked the calendar to see if the first day of April had come early. They include a 15,000 square-meter theme park with the world's fastest roller coaster that runs alongside the track; a 6,000-seat arena for "everything from boxing matches and beach volleyball to new car presentations"; 100 budget condos; a second hotel; a casino, steakhouse, bar and disco; a heli-pad; new Welcome Center; motorsport mall with Ferrari, Aston Martin, Nissan, Yokohama and Bilstein showrooms.

The Nürburgring and the area surrounding the track currently don't offer much in the way of food and entertainment for those who make the journey, so this new development work may be welcomed by petrol-addicted pilgrims. We're told work started a year ago and its completion is still on track for a June 11, 2009 deadline.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/n...er-steak-hous/

[Jand3rson]

Fuck Disneyland sweetheart, we're taking the kids to the 'Ring!

[PhillyG]

I dunno how I feel about that. I can't say I have ever been there, but it just seems as they are ripping the soul out of it.

[moatilliatta]

i agree with phillyG on that one. America need to build there own bullshit to test on, like a mcdonalds drive threw.

[Mako18]

exactly more reason to go there

[BenM]

Pshh, I'm hoping this will flourish - http://www.clubmotorsports.com/track...TOKEN=10830654

Only a 20min. jaunt through the white mountains from my family house.

Edit- I forgot that's its fucking expensive and has many useless things about it.

[BenM]

Ok, back on topic. While it may be cool, I think it would ruin the experience of the ring. Maybe I'm wrong here, but isn't it already crowded? I know one of the main attractions to Lime Rock Park in CT is that it is pretty far from any major stuff happening (besides NYC).

[davey101]

Ok, back on topic. While it may be cool, I think it would ruin the experience of the ring. Maybe I'm wrong here, but isn't it already crowded? I know one of the main attractions to Lime Rock Park in CT is that it is pretty far from any major stuff happening (besides NYC).

god youre a tool man ;)

isnt lime rock the one who sold itself to some private club and all the clubs track time is deducted by a huge amount and prices increased. i know the cca events fill in about one hour because theres so few of them this year :(

im still gonna make my way out there some time, get stupid drunk on some german beer, and spend all my money on baurs and crazy euro parts to ship back, then hit up the ring in my mtech ix touring. if theres a discotech and rollercoaster for me to barf in then whatever :o

[CorvallisBMW]

Fuck Disneyland sweetheart, we're taking the kids to the 'Ring!

Yes!

[Julien]

Not such a bad idea... place is overcrowded like hell with people who don't necessarily want to run their cars or only want to run it once or twice. This will give them more shit to do other than hang around the paddocks looking at sabine's ass... hmmmmmmmyum

Julien

[e30e]

Great Idea, takes away the hardcore "soul" if anything it makes a better place to "enjoy" than "visit"

[Spiff325iS]

Great Idea, takes away the hardcore "soul" if anything it makes a better place to "enjoy" than "visit"

Solid point. I think the lamest part is the theme park.. that is just hoky, but I think the expanded hotels/condos/food/casino will be good for those who make the trip out there; and for those who plan on staying there for a few days.

I'm all for it, except for the theme park. The showroom/dealership seems like a waste, because I doubt people will go to the ring just to throw down huge $$ on a car.

Instead of the Theme-Park/Showroom/Entertainment room.. it would be interesting if they opened up more garages and allowed privately contracted mechanics to work with cars on-site if your car is having trouble........ OR OR OR!!! If they had a huge ass parts/tool room so you could work on your car at the track.... Renting out tools/equipment/hardware seems like it could rake in more money than a god damn theme park(who the hell is gonna ride 'the fastest roller coaster in the world' with the intent of looking at cars at the same time.............................................. ............???????

Dan

[Asbradley21]

I don't like it. One of the coolest bits about the ring is that it's in the middle of bumfuck nowhere around a small town in the fucking woods. Who the hell wants a theme park next to a race track?

[PhillyG]

I don't like it. One of the coolest bits about the ring is that it's in the middle of bumfuck nowhere around a small town in the fucking woods. Who the hell wants a theme park next to a race track?

Exactly. :(

[xLibelle]

I think this spells doom for the track. you may think that the other things to do around there will distract the people who already shouldnt be there, but truth is, it will just add more.
you can get out there with few cars on track and not be bothered by speeding crazy motorcyclists or having to pass the family of four ten times in the track. just you fucking wait until those that are going for the hay-ride wants to check out the real deal and THEN see how crowded the track will be.