Nürburgring restructure sees motorcycle access to Nordschleife restricted to four days across 2025
Motorcyclists planning to take a lap of the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany in 2025 have been restricted to just four dates all year, all under the supervision of trained guides.
Announced earlier today as part of a safety restructure at the challenging 12.9-mile track, the move does away with shared sessions between bikes and cars and could have a knock-on impact to tourism – with the venue being a popular destination on European motorcycle tours.
“The safety of all participants is our top priority,” Nürburgring Managing Director, Ingo Böder said. “We have taken a very close look at the situation regarding the simultaneous participation of cars and motorcycles in tourist trips.
“Motorcyclists are particularly at risk because, unlike car drivers, they have no crumple zone,” Böder continued. “That is why we have decided to strictly separate cars and motorcyclists in the future and to restructure the offer for bikers so that they can enjoy the Nürburgring experience as safely as possible.”
Moving forward, bikes will be allowed onto the Nordschleife track on four, day-long events accompanied by trained guides. These dates will be July 30-31 and August 13-14, with different groups set to cater for difference experience levels, like a traditional trackday.
“These offers enable participants to experience the unique but challenging track under professional guidance and controlled conditions,” Böder added.
The Grand Prix track, meanwhile, is still set to offer greater availability for bikes and is planned to open a total of 38 times in 2025.
“I’ve been going for the past 25 years and love the place,” said MCN’s Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves after the news broke. “It felt like a pilgrimage and the fact you could just turn up, pay and play on one of the fastest, most challenging technical racetracks in the world made it very special and the ultimate in high-speed motorcycling freedom.
“Mixing with cars was an extra thrill, but obviously very risky on such a fast track with so many blind corners, so I understand why they’ve taken this decision. In recent times the organisers sometimes banned bikes at busy times, anyway, so this is the next logical step,” he continued.
“The prices were getting expensive, too: over 30 Euros/lap. It’s a shame they’ve decided to restrict riding to just the schools, but it’ll be a lot safer and still a buzz. I hope the atmosphere will be the same.
“There was nothing quite like the buzz of the Ring car park with the smell of burnt car clutch and brakes in the air, watching the two and four-wheeled world go by.”
