The landscape of endurance cycling at Nürburgring is experiencing a crucial moment. After a period of turbulence, the endurance series seemed to regain the lost momentum, with a moderate increase in registrations despite a complicated economic climate.
In March 2024, the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) consolidated an alliance with ADAC Nordrhein, aiming to overcome the competition from the NES, a series organized by rival ADAC, AvD. However, this collaboration could now become its downfall.
In the past year, three regional branches of ADAC –Nordrhein, Mittelrhein, and Westfalen– joined forces as main sponsors of the championship, renaming it to ADAC NLS. The future of this initiative is being debated, with divided opinions among paddock actors.
Restructuring and internal tensions
ADAC Nordrhein is seeking thorough professionalization of the VLN, with many worries regarding ongoing negotiations. The complex corporate structure of VLN Sport re-emerges, with ADAC Westfalen leading the opposition to the restructuring proposed by Nordrhein.
The atmosphere in the paddock is tense, with comments reflecting contradictory opinions on the intentions of ADAC Nordrhein, which opted for greater control and autonomy. Despite recent legal troubles, the VLN has demonstrated notable financial resilience, remaining stable without Nordrhein’s support.
After various legal battles, the VLN rebranded in 2025 as ADAC Ravenol NLS, reaffirming its independence. Currently, ADAC Nordrhein has abandoned the regional alliance, leaving ADAC Westfalen and Mittelrhein as the only sponsors.
The legal context
In addition to the contradictory visions about the future, the legal dispute between the VLN and the owners of the track, NR Holding, remains a central issue. The VLN won an important lawsuit, forcing Nürburgring to guarantee equal access to all competing organizations.
This decision allowed the NLS and the NES to enjoy an equal number of dates, but resulted in the collapse of the NES without organizing any competition. The current legal precedent is an obstacle for signing long-term contracts, such as the one desired by ADAC Nordrhein for the 24-hour race edition starting in 2029.
The future in uncertainty
The track management hopes that the superior court will respond positively to the January 2024 decision, which would require offering the available dates transparently. This would complicate the possibility of a 10-year exclusive contract.
To protect its interests, ADAC Nordrhein is considering launching its own 24-hour series. However, there remains uncertainty about how this would defend them if the rights to the 24-hour race are put up for sale.
Both parties involved, ADAC Nordrhein and NR Holding, are seeking a swift resolution, but the VLN has been firm in its stance and opposes abandoning its legal business without clear guarantees for long-term access to the circuit.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
