Photo: Nissan
Motorsport took a big hit recently after a Nissan GT-R Nismo took off during a race at the Nürburgring and ended up killing one spectator as it flew over the Nordschleife's protective barriers.
As all petrolheads have found out by now, the Germany's motorsports governing body (DMSB) took the decision to suspend GT3 cars from the Ring. The reason? Small runoff areas and huge differences in elevation around the entire track.
After reviewing the situation, the DMSB decided to allow GT3 cars take part in races around the Nürburgring, but teams and drivers will have to abide by a set of rules and regulations.
It's a short term solution, but safety must come first even if the overall appeal of GT3 racing could be slightly weakened. Therefore, the new set of rules mention a 5% reduction in horsepower for top-class cars and spectator restrictions in key points as Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz, Metzgesfeld and Pflanzgarten.
In addition, officials will employ a GPS-controlled speed limit of 200 km/h ahead of the slopes at Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz and Antoniusbuche. Drivers will be able to use full acceleration past the speed-restricted areas, but violating the above guidelines will be punished with hefty fines for race teams.
Although the ban was meant to be temporary from the beginning, the Nürburgring will host its biggest endurance race in over a month, so measures had to be taken quickly. We can only hope that the DMSB know what they're doing and the new package of rules will solve the Ring's safety issues.
After reviewing the situation, the DMSB decided to allow GT3 cars take part in races around the Nürburgring, but teams and drivers will have to abide by a set of rules and regulations.
It's a short term solution, but safety must come first even if the overall appeal of GT3 racing could be slightly weakened. Therefore, the new set of rules mention a 5% reduction in horsepower for top-class cars and spectator restrictions in key points as Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz, Metzgesfeld and Pflanzgarten.
In addition, officials will employ a GPS-controlled speed limit of 200 km/h ahead of the slopes at Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz and Antoniusbuche. Drivers will be able to use full acceleration past the speed-restricted areas, but violating the above guidelines will be punished with hefty fines for race teams.
Although the ban was meant to be temporary from the beginning, the Nürburgring will host its biggest endurance race in over a month, so measures had to be taken quickly. We can only hope that the DMSB know what they're doing and the new package of rules will solve the Ring's safety issues.
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