Valentino Rossi has stated that he has an increased interest in contesting the Nürburgring 24 Hours, following a relaxation of the event’s permit rules.
The DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN), the license required to compete in the event, underwent a significant rule change over the off-season, with it now easier to acquire a Level A Permit, the type required to compete in the fastest machinery at the event, such as the top SP 9 category for GT3 cars.
The Level A Permit can now be earned through a single race outing in lower-class machinery in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, simplifying a process that ‘The Doctor’ had previously expressed put him off due to its duration.
“Now you can do the permit in one weekend, we speak with BMW to trying to organise [Rossi competing in next year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours], because the Nurburgring 24 is in my wish list to race, so I hope that we can manage with BMW to race next year,” Rossi said.
The changes also mean that drivers can work towards their A Permit through competing in the Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, the championship’s official esports series which is held each winter.
“I know about this a little bit,” Rossi stated. “That you can do a little bit with the sim for me is good, because I always use the sim at Nürburgring. Growing up from with Gran Turismo, at the Nürburgring I’ve made a lot of kilometres.
“If I can do the permit in one weekend, it can happen.”
Another bucket-list event which the Italian is interested in is the Suzuka 1000KM, with a potential appearance as soon as in this September’s 50th anniversary edition. Competing at Suzuka would given Rossi the opportunity to a victory at the Japanese circuit’s car endurance race to his 2001 triumph in its motorcycle counterpart, the Suzuka 8 Hours.
“I want to do Suzuka!” Rossi declared. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but I try, and it is still not decided. If I do [another IGTC race this year] it will be Suzuka.”
This effectively confirms that Rossi will not defend his Indianapolis 8 Hour title, having won the event last year.
Rossi’s #46 Team WRT BMW, which he shares with Dan Harper and Mex Hesse, is set to start from 22nd on the grid tomorrow at the 24 Hours of Spa.
Image courtesy of SRO/JEP
