Promoting young talent and a breath of fresh air in the paddock of the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. In the coming season, MSC-Adenau, one of the nine partners of the VLN, will be organising the NLS Kart Slalom Championship. On five dates from March to September, up to 125 karting kids in five age groups will take to the track on the helipad.
‘Eight of the nine VLN shareholder clubs have a youth karting department – so it makes sense to use the traditional NLS platform for our young motorsport talent,’ says Maik Rauhe. The 47-year-old professional soldier has been the kart slalom coach at MSC Adenau since 2019 and was responsible for the organisation of the ADAC Kart Slalom National Final 2023, among other things. ‘Kart slalom offers a very good opportunity to introduce kids to motorsport at an early age. What they learn there is above all vehicle control – probably the most important foundation in racing.’
Many of today’s NLS drivers started their racing careers in youth kart slalom. One of them is Marc Hennerici. ‘You learn the most important things as soon as you start motorsport: precision and concentration. Slalom is also special compared to all other motorsport disciplines, because you only have one attempt per heat and you have to get it right to be successful. It’s a very good school.’
Up to 125 children and young people aged seven to 18 can take part in each event. They receive tickets from the VLN for themselves and two accompanying persons, so that they can also get a taste of the NLS between heats. Each VLN shareholder receives a contingent of starting places, the remaining slots are filled by other drivers. There will be one practice race and two heats in the classification. With the 3.3 kW electric karts from Mach1, a lap is between 35 and 45 seconds long. Before the classes start for the first time, there is the opportunity to walk the course, which is set up differently in each case, and analyse the key points in detail. The speciality: The award ceremonies in the five age groups will take place each evening as part of the class award ceremony for the NLS race.
‘Children are our future – in motorsport too,’ says VLN Managing Director Mike Jäger. ‘We were immediately enthusiastic about MSC Adenau’s idea and pledged our support. The NLS is a real family series. And in addition to the great racing in the Green Hell, families with children will also be able to visit the kart races in future. Our aim is to use this measure to strengthen the youth departments of the VLN shareholder clubs.’
Provisional dates for the NLS Karl Slalom Championship
22. March: NLS1
26. April: NLS2
10. May: NLS3
16. August: NLS6
27. September: NLS9
