A number of key changes to the regulations that govern the Nurburgring Long Distance Series are in preparation for the 2022 season.
Entry Fees
In the wake of the pressures inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, NLS has decided to freeze the entry fees in all classes for 2022.
Plus, the entry fee for the 12-hour race will be double that of a regular 4-hour VLN event, despite the significantly longer driving time.
Class Changes
The VT2 class will be divided from 2022 into two sub-classes with separate ratings, VT2 front-wheel drive and VT2 rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
As previously covered on DSC, two completely new classes will debut in 2022 – VT Hybrid and VT Elektro with technical specifications for eligible vehicles set to initially allow as broad a range of production vehicles as possible.
In addition, every new hybrid or electric vehicle receives a 50 per cent discount on the entry fee when it is first entered in the 2022 NLS season.
Revised Points System
A uniform points system will come into effect in 2022 both to ensure a significant simplification and greater understanding among teams, drivers, media and sponsors, and to lead to greater diversity in the fight for the overall Championship win for the Nürburgring endurance series.
In future, points will be limited to a maximum of seven vehicles per class. The winner of a class with seven vehicles receives the same number of points as the winner of a class with 20 vehicles – Previously the larger the class, the greater the number of points awarded.
In a 4-hour race, points will now be awarded as follows:
1st place 15 points,
2nd place 11 points,
3rd place 8 points,
4th place 6 points,
5th place 4 points,
6th place 3 points,
7th place 2 points.
If there are fewer than seven starters in a class, the number of possible points to be achieved is reduced accordingly.
In a more populous class, there is one point from eighth onwards.
If several driver pairs are tied at the end of the year, in addition to the number of first, second and third places, two further countback criteria will be introduced, which will allow a clear ranking in the overall ranking.
12 Hours of Nürburgring
The doubleheader, which was carried out for the second time in 2021, and on 10/11 September 2022 will become the “12 Hours of Nürburgring” in 2022 with both days featuring a 6 hour section apiece.
After the first part on Saturday, Parc Fermé regulations apply.
The final NLS regulations for 2022 are expected to be published by the end of the year with significant additional work required on the details.
