Top class motor sports events, recreational activities all having to do with mobility and motors, fun and edutainment for any age – what first opened in 1927 as a venue for automotive racing has now long been known for offering fun and action 365 days a year.

In the twelfth century, Count Ulrich would never have dreamed that at the foot of his patriarchal Nürburg there would one day lay the queen of all racetracks that would attract suitors from all the lands. Very soon after its grand opening on May 18, 1927 it had become clear how much economic drive these early examples of commercialized recreational activity would have on the entire region. Restaurants offering rooms for tourists became hotels, pastures with grazing cows became parks, the races were the grace of a region that belonged to one of the poorest areas in Germany. Eight decades have passed since then, in which Nürburgring has made its name in the history books and around which numerous stories have revolved. Many generations of race drivers and race fans have been fascinated by it and, ultimately, it has become the economic engine of the Eifel region.

After Nürburgring's grand opening during the worldwide depression, news from the racetrack brought constant new reports of new records set in the number of visiting spectators, at the latest starting with the era of the legendary Silver Arrows. 1934 – The Silver Arrow was born, celebrating its premier on the ring. The Mercedes Team had spent the night before the race in the spring of 1934 personally scraping off the coat of paint with their hands in order to comply with the weight limit of 750 kilograms. The shining silver aluminum of the bear bodywork below was exposed, giving the vehicle its name. Nürburgring had long since established itself as the most popular German racetrack. During the Eifel race in 1939, Hermann Lang set a lap record with his twelve cylinder Mercedes at 9.52 minutes, which remained unbeaten until 1956. Rudolf Caracciola once again won the Grand Prix of Germany. For the time being, the last victory on the Ring. During World War II, there was no room for motor sports – the Sport Hotel located at the grandstand was converted to makeshift housing and a hospital, the racetrack was severely damaged by tanks during the last months of the war.

The Ring, however, was given a second chance. Early after war's end, reconstruction work was already underway and as early as 1947 a new Nürburgring era had begun with the Eifel Cup Race. The fee to enter at the time: five Reichs Marks, incl. consumption ticket for wine, sausage and bread. Four years later, in 1951, the first Formula 1 World Championship – once again, the ring had achieved international status. During the European Grand Prix held in 1954, more than 400,000 estimated visitors attended. Juan Manuel Fangio won the race and became the motor sports idol of the 1950's. He won the European Grand Prix four years in a row.

The 1960's had its very own idol. Wofgang Graf Berghe von Trips was the new crowd puller, who competed for the Grand Prix of Germany in 1961. Era of the German Economic Miracle – during that time, motor sport symbolized the new self-confidence of an entire nation. Followed by a huge media frenzy for that period of time, in 1961 over 100,000 spectators fevered with the gentleman racer during the race. Graf Berghe von Trips lost on this day against Stirling Moss, who seemed simply unbeatable. However, this did no harm to his popularity.

1969 – new popular drivers, such as the Belgium driver Jackie Ickx drew scores of visitors to the motor sports events. Automotive racing were more popular than ever before – the drivers were treated like pop stars. The highlight of the year is the Grand Prix of Germany, at which Jackie Ickx is the victor. On this day, no one could even imagine that the Nordschleife would be challenged as a Grand Prix circuit. However, just one year later this was the case: After a series of severe accidents in GP sports, numerous drivers demanded major changes to be made to the Green Hell, as the circuit was named with reverence by the drivers.

Executives of Nürburgring dished out 17 million German marks for modification measures to the track. The circuit was equipped with shoulders, fences and guardrails. And 1971 welcomed back another Grand Prix. More than 130,000 spectators were in jubilation for the winner Jackie Stewart. However, the Nordschleife remained a very demanding challenge for the drivers and continues to be a subject of debate. When Niki Lauda suffered a severe accident on August 1, 1976, the Northern Loop was shut down. Once again, Nürburgring lost its Formula 1 permit. On McLaron Ford, the British driver James Hunt won the last Formula 1 race held on the Nordschleife.

The Supervisory Board then made a unanimous decision to build a brand new, shorter and more modern racetrack. After rounds of tough negotiations, and not least thanks to the initiative "Save Nürburgring", the minister president of Rhineland Palatinate Dr. Bernhard Vogel initiated the groundbreaking ceremony on November 30, 1981. Three years later, on May 12, 1984, the new track, 4,542 kilometers in length, celebrated its grand opening with a huge opening program that included shows and motor sports. And on October 7, 1985, the first Formula 1 Race was held on the new racetrack. The winner: Michele Alboreto on Ferrari. Celebrating another premier for the first time was the spectacular music festival Rock am Ring, bringing new streams of visitors into the Eifel region. One year later, the first ever ADAC Truck Grand Prix was held, with surprising success. From it, organizers will derive one of the supporting pillars of the event programs.

The 1990's were all about change. Motor sports remained the supporting pillar at the ring, however Nürburgring acted even more strongly as a leader in the region for economic development and tourism. And, a new star was born. On October 1, 1995, Michael Schumacher, as the first German ever, won a course of the Formula 1 World Championship on Nürburgring. The crowd cheers him on from the to date most state of the art grandstand in the world. Approx. 5,000 spectators can be seated in the Mercedes grandstand. In addition, 2 VIP areals are integrated. And even when it comes to the environment, Nürburgring takes a leading role. As early as in 1996 a progressive environmental management system was established. Nürburgring was certified as per the EU Eco-Audit Directive. One year later, in 1997, the new state of the art Medical Center was dedicated. In 1998, additional new construction projects were underway and completed: The new access road to the Nordschleife was opened, the BILSTEIN grandstand was completely remodeled and the first non-portable video screen ever at a racetrack was dedicated. Once again, Nürburgring was in pole position. The indoor amusement park Nürburgring Adventure World tapped into new visitor potential, celebrating its grand opening in May 1998. In 1999, a state of the art waste water treatment plant is built, for which Nürburgring received yet another prize that very same year, the "Environment Award 1999".

The new millenium continues the full speed course. The old start/finish house, the old box building and the Conti tower were torn down in 2000. By the time of the European Grand Prix in 2001, three additional super VIP lounges were created instead and a state of the art start/finish house. The new FUJI digital Media Center with ultramodern technology offers journalists and photographers the perfect work environment in a space more than 1,650 m².

"Long before I had ever heard of the Cologne Cathedral on my trips to Europe, long before I even knew how good sauerkraut tastes accompanied by a Bavarian beer, I already knew the number of curves Nürburgring had, the words "Karussel" (carousel) and "Schwalbenschwanz" (dovetail) were terms I knew well, even if otherwise I couldn't speak a word of German." These words expressed by the Australian race driver Alan Hamilton, speaking for many of his colleagues and motor sports fans around the world, perfectly describe the charisma of Europe's most traditional and successful racetrack.

Once a racetrack, now its own brand, with a recognition factor in and around Germany of more than 90 percent. These days, it is not just the fans of top class motor sports events that fully enjoy what Nürburgring has to offer. The mix of events offered at Nürburgring annually consists of more than 300 racing sports, recreational and incentive events for fun and edutainment for a diverse range of visitors and groups of varying interests. The Nürburgring Adventure World allows the whole family to experience motor sports, mobility and the Nürburgring myth on over 10,000 m² of space. Each year, tens of thousands of rock fans find their way to Rock am Ring, the Cart Adventure World entices visitors to take part in the action, Bike World offers information and entertainment involving two wheel fun. Future racecar champions are provided training at the Zakspeed Nürburgring Racing School, while future "improved drivers" are trained at the driver safety center. Driving the "Green Hell" using your own vehicle is an adventure for any generation.

And speaking of green: Once again, Nürburg was given the 2005 award as a climatic spa for the umpteenth time. A variety of bicycle tours and hiking trails offered in the surrounding area of the race track offer sport and fun for any age and allow the visitors to relive the Eifel's past first hand. One look at the number of visitors shows that the commitment has been worth it: Today, Nürburgring is one of Germany's most appealing facilities for sports and recreational fun. Close to two million people visit the numerous events on offer or take advantage of the numerous recreational opportunities involving the Nürburgring. And the numbers are increasing. In the end, the number of events being offered will grow over the next few years and Nürburgring is to be expanded to become one of the leading recreational and business centers of all with the project called "Nürburgring 2009".

Along with various models, such as a large indoor attraction, a motor sports village, a new hotel and brand name world for the automotive industry and automotive suppliers, an approx. 4,000 m² space is in the works. To be located directly on the so-called Boulevard, the main axis of "Nürburgring 2009", this arena will be an important platform for spectator events such as motocross events, indoor trials and even concerts. 4,500 roofed seats and a direct connection to yet another event hall, also containing 4,000 m² of open space, offer opportunities to realize a wide variety of events.

Located directly at the start and finish lines will be a state of the art roofed business grandstand with seating for 5,000 after the main grandstand is torn down. At the upper level, the business grandstand will house a lounge area for up to 600 people, in which both hospitality as well as VIP arrangements during large events plus tailored incentives will be implemented. Construction is due to begin in the fall of 2007. The grand opening of "Nürburgring 2009" is planned for 2009.

The best view of the construction underway is, by the way, from the tower of the Nürburg. Graf Ulrich would be very pleased.