By setting up a joint venture, the Nürburgring and the VLN Endurance Championship ensure long-term planning security and a clear perspective for the future of the popular racing series on the legendary Nordschleife. VLN Veranstaltungs- und Vermarktungsgesellschaft mbH (event & marketing), or VLN VV for short, will further develop the championship, which has been successful for 40 years, and also take on key tasks in organising the series beyond the conception and hosting of VLN races.
The contract between capricorn Nürburgring Besitz GmbH (CNBG) and VLN OHG, concluded during this year’s 24-Hour Race, has a basic term of five years, as well as two options for five-year extensions to a total of 15 years. Karl Mauer, chief representative of VLN OHG, will be the first managing director of VLN VV GmbH, which is headquartered at the Nürburgring.
“The establishment of a joint event and marketing company by Nürburgring and VLN is the logical continuation of a partnership that stretches back over 40 years. The new company ensures planning security for the next 15 years and guarantees the further development of VLN in areas that are part of the core competence of the Nürburgring,” explains Karl Mauer.
“The Nordschleife is as unique as the VLN Endurance Championship itself. Both are inextricably linked to the Nürburgring. It is therefore only logical to work closely together,” the two CNBG managing directors Victor Martin and Michael Lemler agree. “We want to take advantage of synergies and jointly lead this fantastic racing series towards a successful future.”
For many years, the Nürburgring has been involved with the former VLN GbR as a partner. On 16 July 2015, a preliminary contract laid the groundwork for the new cooperation. Ever since 1977, the association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup (VLN) organisers has been hosting ten races per year on the world famous Nordschleife. With up to 200 participating touring cars and GT sportscars, the four-hour races – plus one six-hour race – offer top-class motorsport and are highly popular with drivers and fans alike.
