tetzlafh

Well they created a monster, we as the customers and fan base fed the monster so they got a big ego and built up the 'Ring beyond what it ever should have been and now the company (state) is bankrupt. Sad but glad I lived near the track in the days before the edition of the venue it is to date. It was quiet then, now just a big circus.

http://www.thelocal.de/money/20120718-43811.html

mdrums

Don't know how it works in Germany or know the culture...but if this were in the USA...I'd say...here comes the condo's, houses and a mall. Sad!

aussie jimmy

not as sad as 'audi city'

TeamDrugMoney

What a shame to have this nonsense happen to such a wonderful part of this world. Glad we had a chance to meet while I was over there! I know how much you enjoyed yout time while you lived there.

ir_fuel

I wouldn't worry too much. The track + touristenfahrt is about the only thing that does generate revenue, so even in this case they will continue to keep this part open.

GuyR

Big fuss over nothing. Parent company will go bankrupt, banks will lose money on stupid loans for the new white elephant project that should never have been built and a new company will emerge still running the stuff that's ran successfully for the last few decades ie the track.

markus_t19

I wish you were right.

But remember that the blame for this goes towards politicians- some of which still in charge ...and the tab will be picked by German taxpayers: in this set-up we may see different turns and twists.

This year should be ok as there are contracts in place. Next year might be problems because arrangements for 2013 are usually made around now, e.g. for VLN and 24h races...

markus_t19

or consider an example closer to RL: if the "Mancation gang" would want to consider a "Tour d'Europe" which has to include a serious stint at the Ring for next year they'd be out of luck as no one of the usual suspects for running track days at the Ring will have any dates..or prices. On a smaller scale we have live through this PI*A that for the last 2 years... resulting last minute schedules and substantially increased prices

tetzlafh

Oh yes, it was indeed great to meet up with a fellow Rennlister. My time there was awesome and I'm trying to get back! 'Ring or no 'Ring there is always Spa-Francochamps and Hockenheimring.

nigt3

The two tracks (F1 & Nordsc) will never close makes too much money, but as for disneyring best thing they could do with it is bring in the bull dozers which they prob will. Big fuss over nothing local media jumping on the band wagan and making it worse!!

tetzlafh

Exactly, the buck gets passed to the state (it's citizens). I blame the Brits!

Really the North loop may generate money with the tourists or terrorists, depends on who is on the track, but without the big ticket races like the corrupt F1 and DTM the rest of the circus won't make up the difference. Should have just left the 'Ring the way it was before all this crap was built and succumbed to idiotic ideas like the 'Ring-Card!$!#!@#$ WTF!

GrantG

But they ruined Hockenheimring by ripping up the pavement for the part of the track that used to go through the forest

datax

Yea, I was also at Hockenheim 2 years ago to watch Formula BMW race with a friend and it wasn't used to be like before (in the 90s). Grass were dead and entire place look ran down and poorly maintained.

Nordschleife

Formula 1 is a luxury few tracks can afford

R+C

Nordschleife

Germany is full of bankrupt race tracks, it doesn't seem to stop them operating.

R+C