More good news regarding the 2025 regulations for the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie: From this year, vehicles with a series tank can once again compete in Group H as long as it is installed in its original position. The change in regulations will allow formerly very popular and widespread vehicles such as the Renault Clio, Honda Civic or Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (996 and initially 997) to participate in the races of the unique Nordschleife championship again at a favourable price. There is also news in the GT4 class SP10, in which an Am classification will be organised this year. Both measures contribute to making the thrilling multiclass racing in the Green Hell even more attractive.
‘In 2018, the FIA issued a simplified decree stating that all vehicles in international motorsport must be equipped with an FT3 safety tank in the medium term. This regulation was integrated into our Group H regulations in 2022, which meant that vehicles such as the Clio, Civic or 996 Cup could no longer participate without a very cost-intensive conversion to an FT3 safety tank,’ explains Wolf von Barby from the VLN technical team. ‘For some of these vehicles, the costs would have been around a quarter of the current value. We raised the issue again with the DMSB last year. From our point of view, a non-corrosive series tank in its original position offers significantly more safety than a current safety tank inside the vehicle, where the tank supply line may have to be re-routed. Ultimately, many owners want to keep the vehicle in its original condition as far as possible.’
The DMSB follows the reasoning and will approve the corresponding change in Section 10.1 of the Technical Regulations from the 2025 season onwards. ‘We thank the DMSB for giving in on the safety fuel tank issue,’ says VLN Sporting Director Christian Vormann. ‘The reasoning of our technicians was conclusive for the experts in Frankfurt, so that a number of vehicles that we and the fans at the Nordschleife have missed in recent years will be eligible to participate again in the future.’
The introduction of an Am classification in the SP10 class is intended to further promote the popular sporting concept of the series. This will allow ambitious amateur racing drivers to hunt for points in the attractive and well-staffed class in the 2025 season – the classification is comparable to the GT3 SP9 class. Possible constellations are pure teams of bronze drivers as well as two or three bronze drivers with a maximum of one additional silver driver. This sub-class will also be honoured at the 24-hour race in future. ‘Mass sport doesn’t always mean small cars,’ explains VLN boss Mike Jäger. ‘There are also amateurs in the larger classes who find an attractive field of activity in our series. The NLS is a platform for both professionals and amateurs, as well as for large and small vehicles. This unique mix characterises our series.’
The ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie season opener will take place on 22 March 2025. The 70th ADAC Westfalenfahrt traditionally opens the racing year in the Green Hell.
