What's the news?

The historic motoring venue that is the Nürburgring could soon have a new owner as German auto-club ADAC hints at buying the property. According to CarProperty.com, there have been "several reliable sources" that have confirmed ADAC's interest in the facility, which is great news considering the bleak future it once had.

Since the current owners filed for bankruptcy in July 2011, with quoted debts of about £300 million, the venue itself was in jeopardy and was put up for sale with a price tag of €125 million (about £106 million). For this the new owner would get the legendary 12.9-mile Nordschleife circuit, the attached Grand Prix circuit, the hotel and the NuroDisney leisure park that was completed on the grounds in 2009.

The news of the sale was concerning for enthusiasts, but it will be complicated to sell. It is still unconfirmed whether or not the circuit will be sold as one item or, as some sources suggest, sold in sections to groups of individual car manufacturers. If this is the case, then the famous tourist drives - where anyone can turn up, pay a fee and lap the track - could very well come to an abrupt halt.

Another concern is for the aforementioned NuroDisney leisure park, which has been recognised as a commercial flop ever since the gates opened four years ago. Constructed between 2007 and 2009, the park has never attained the projected numbers or revenues needed to recuperate the enormous initial building costs. No doubt this was one of the contributing factors to the original owner's bankruptcy.

Having said that, the President of ADAC, Peter Mayer commented, "The Nürburgring is without a doubt the birthplace of German motorsports. You can call it an automobile artefact. Therefore, we've started our effort to preserve this sporting facility for the future."

Let's hope so.

Anything else?

Anything else?
The full advertisement can be found on www.carproperty.com - just in case you're in the position to make them an offer.

James Giddings - 14 Oct 2013