2025 will see a first for the NLS – an ‘NLS Light’ race.
The 5 July event will see no cars in the SP9 (GT3), CUP2, SP-X and SP-Pro classes.
The move comes as race organisers look to respond to the pressures and criticisms on and from some teams, manufacturers and drivers from the faster classes some of whom will have have previously competed in three 24-hour races within just three weeks.
The NLS Light race is too though, being marketed as part of a grassroots sports offensive that the VLN, the organization behind the traditional Nordschleife Championship, is calling for.
“There are two ulterior motives behind our first NLS Light event,” says VLN Managing Director Mike Jäger. “On the one hand, we want to offer participants from other series the opportunity to get a taste of the NLS and get to know our motivated team and the sophisticated infrastructure. On the other hand, we want to make access to the NLS as easy as possible. The elimination of the large classes will make it possible to drive in the other advertised classes with a DPN (DMSB Permit Nordschleife) of level C or level B. The Permit C can be obtained very easily without having previously driven races that are below the normal NLS.”
Christian Vormann, sports director of the NLS, adds: “We have had many discussions with potential participants in the past. Some of them are very apprehensive about going on the track with GT3 cars at their first Nordschleife race. Even if our current accident statistics show that this fear is unfounded, we are offering interested parties the opportunity to try out the NLS and circuit races on the Nordschleife with an NLS Light event. This is very easy, especially with the DPN of level C. I would like to point out at this point that laps completed in this race are not counted as permit laps for level A.”
“We already have a number of ideas about how we want to make our light premiere an unforgettable event,” says Mike Jäger. “For example, I’m thinking of a big barbecue party on Friday evening in the paddock where we can celebrate grassroots sport together. And together with the other measures for the coming season, I am convinced that this will not just be a one-off attempt in the future either.”
In addition to the NLS Light event, the grassroots sports initiative also includes the introduction of a new BMW 325i Challenge class, which is aimed primarily at ambitious amateur teams with reduced entry fees.
