2020 marks the tenth year of DN Events track days at the Nürburgring.
Controversial Developments
In 2009, the Nürburgring was in a very different place to where it is now. Not geographically of course, but back then it was struggling to cope with the financial stress of developing the buildings we now know as the Boulevard area of the GP track, along with the associated hotels and other accommodation. The truth was, of course, the changes were badly needed to enable expansion and growth, and also somewhat ironically with hindsight, to secure the German round of the Formula 1 world championship.
See the building work from one of our 2008 Big Chopper Tours, with thanks to Andrew Thompson.
However, even in Germany, it would seem that public financing, public ownership and project management could run into problems of being hugely over budget (something we are very used to here in the UK!) and the €€€ costs spiralled out of control – initiating a scandal in local government that would eventually lead to our beloved Green Hell being sold into private ownership.
There was a short period of operating responsibility by Lindner, then brief but controversial ownership by Capricorn, which itself was then purchased by the current Russian owner who has brought investment, relative stability and the chance for plans to mature and bring wider benefit.
Old School Organisers
But we digress. Back on topic, in 2009 there were no UK track day operators organising events at the Nürburgring. Some years before there used to be the infamous UK Wheeltorque track days there that, after a run of sometimes chaotic events (!), ended somewhat enigmatically by going bust overnight as everyone arrived for their two day track day. RMA and the now defunct Bookatrack ran some great events there in the meantime but when the circuit, both under the financial pressure described above and after comparing itself with others, reviewed their pricing significantly upwards – it looked like the UK companies decided to stop coming back as organisers in their own right.
Seeds of an idea
Prior to this time Ringweekends the company existed organising tours to the Eifel, taking in touristenfahrten and some of the larger events. In 2009, on a UK Nürburgring forum called Northloop.co.uk, a small group of friends were discussing the possibility of organising a track day for their members. Darren made contact with the Nürburgring management, discussions were very friendly and an agreement was reached.
From that small acorn (and a massive financial gamble from everyone involved) the mighty DN Events track days grew after the first event delivered in April 2010 – expanding each and every year to the programme of quality events you can expect today.
Since those humble beginnings, every customer has helped to shape the format of the events over every one of the last ten years, and together with our colleagues at the Nürburgring we all look forward to a successful future filled with more fantastic track days at the Nürburgring!
