As reported by Sportscar365, The Interessengemeinschaft Langstrecke Nürburgring (ILN) has criticised plans by ADAC Nordrhein to establish a second series of endurance races around the Nordschleife in 2027.
Nürburgring 24 organisers intend to create a four-event mini-series that will use the same regulations as the German endurance classic. Teams that contest the complete programme will receive reduced entry fees and guaranteed places on the Nürburgring 24 grid.
However, ILN chairman Martin Rosorius believes two championships competing for teams and limited Nordschleife dates would damage the long-term interests of competitors. Instead, he has called for all parties to develop a unified structure for endurance racing at the circuit.
Rosorius rejects need for competing championships
Olaf Manthey founded the ILN in 2015 to represent the interests of teams competing at the Nürburgring.
Rosorius, a former long-serving Nürburgring 24 race director, now chairs the organisation. He believes the proposed championship repeats a dispute that previously threatened to divide endurance racing at the circuit.
“As was the case in 2023 during the dispute over the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NES) – which ultimately failed – the same principle still applies: two racing series competing in parallel for the limited dates available on the Nürburgring Nordschleife make no sense from the perspective of the teams and participants – in other words, the customers,” said Rosorius.
His comments directly challenge the argument that another series would give teams more opportunities to race on the full Nordschleife.
Instead, Rosorius believes parallel competitions would divide entries, budgets and available dates between rival organisers.
New series will centre on Nürburgring 24 regulations
Nürburgring 24 organisers announced their new programme as an extension of the event’s recent growth.
The proposed series will combine the Nürburgring 24 Qualifiers, the main 24-hour race, the ADAC Eifel event and the ADAC 1000 km contest. All four rounds will follow the Nürburgring 24’s sporting and technical regulations.
Furthermore, organisers will offer prize money, lower entry fees and guaranteed Nürburgring 24 grid places to teams that commit to the complete championship.
A separate two-day Prologue will also provide another preparation opportunity before the Qualifiers and the main race.
However, the programme will operate alongside the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, which already provides a long-established championship for teams competing around the Nordschleife.
ILN fears division among teams and organisers
The Nürburgring offers only a limited number of suitable dates for endurance races on the full circuit.
Therefore, a second championship could force teams to choose between two programmes while increasing pressure on budgets, personnel and available preparation time.
Rosorius believes cooperation offers a more sustainable route than direct competition.
“Motorsport only works when we work together! We therefore appeal once again to all those involved: sort out your differences and finally pull in the same direction to find an economically sound and long-term viable solution for endurance racing on the Nordschleife.
“This also means that the ADAC and its three participating regional clubs must adopt a unified stance.”
The ILN’s position places the interests of teams and drivers at the centre of the dispute.
Although additional races could create more competitive opportunities, Rosorius argues that a fragmented structure would weaken both championships rather than strengthen Nordschleife racing as a whole.
Failed NES project provides recent precedent
The current disagreement follows the unsuccessful attempt to establish the Nürburgring Endurance Series in 2023.
That proposal created a rival to the NLS during a wider dispute involving organisers and circuit stakeholders. However, the NES ultimately failed to establish itself.
Rosorius believes the episode already demonstrated the risks of attempting to run competing championships around the same circuit.
The new Nürburgring 24-based series differs in its close connection to Germany’s leading endurance race and its use of common regulations. Nevertheless, the ILN sees the same fundamental problem: two organisers seeking teams, dates and commercial support within the same market.
Consequently, the organisation wants the parties to address their differences before committing to another parallel championship.
Rosorius calls for discussions before major changes
The ILN has not rejected changes to the organisation of Nordschleife racing altogether.
Instead, Rosorius has called for constructive discussions involving all relevant parties. He wants organisers, clubs, teams and circuit representatives to agree on a structure that protects the sport’s commercial and sporting future.
He also believes any significant changes should begin no earlier than 2028. That timeframe would give teams enough notice to plan budgets, contracts and technical programmes.
Many Nürburgring competitors operate with limited resources and rely on long-term planning to secure drivers and sponsors. Therefore, a sudden restructuring for 2027 could create financial and operational uncertainty.
ILN seeks clearer organisational structure
Rosorius also wants teams to receive clearer information and more consistent communication across all Nürburgring endurance events.
“Looking ahead, the ILN would like to see clear organizational structures and designated points of contact for all endurance races at the Nürburgring,” added Rosorius.
A unified structure could simplify regulations, administration and communication for competitors.
At present, teams must navigate different organisations and interests surrounding the NLS, Nürburgring 24 and other Nordschleife events. A clearer framework could reduce uncertainty while allowing organisers to coordinate calendars and sporting priorities.
However, the new series announcement suggests that the principal parties have not yet agreed on such a model.
Nordschleife interest creates opportunity and risk
The Nürburgring 24 and the wider Nordschleife racing scene have attracted increased attention from drivers, teams and supporters. The German endurance classic featured an expanded field, while major drivers and manufacturers have reinforced its international profile.
Rosorius wants organisers to use that momentum to strengthen the complete endurance racing ecosystem at the circuit. However, he believes internal disputes could undermine the opportunity.
He stressed that the Nürburgring must be able to “capitalize” on the increased interest surrounding Nordschleife competition.
The ILN therefore views the current growth as an opportunity that requires cooperation rather than another organisational conflict.
Rosorius warns against sacrificing NLS tradition
The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie traces its history back almost five decades and remains the principal championship for regular endurance competition on the Nordschleife.
Although its name and organisational structure have changed over time, the series has provided teams with a long-running platform outside the Nürburgring 24.
Rosorius believes organisers must protect that heritage while planning the circuit’s future.
“Parochialism amongst the racing series and disputes stand in the way of this and jeopardize the NLS’s nearly 50-year-old tradition, which, in the ILN’s view, is worth continuing,” he concluded.
His warning reflects concern that rival commercial interests could weaken an established championship despite the present demand for Nordschleife racing.
Therefore, the ILN wants stakeholders to build upon the NLS rather than create a competing structure that could draw away teams and resources.
ILN represents several leading Nürburgring teams
The ILN includes representatives from several prominent organisations within Nordschleife racing. Manthey managing director Nicolas Raeder serves as deputy chairman alongside Rosorius.
The executive committee also includes Alexander Böhm of Black Falcon, Daniel Sorg of Sorg Rennsport, Matthias Unger of Adrenalin Motorsport and Ron Moser of Scherer Motorsport. Sven Schnabl of Schnabl Engineering, Ralf Zensen of Racing Group Eifel and Drivers’ Working Group representative Dirk Adorf complete the committee.
Consequently, the ILN’s criticism reflects input from teams operating across different classes and competitive levels rather than one individual organisation.
Rival series announcement raises questions for 2027
The proposed Nürburgring 24-based series offers teams common regulations, prize money, reduced fees and guaranteed access to the season’s most prominent event.
However, the ILN believes those incentives could draw competitors away from the NLS and divide an already specialised market.
The dispute now places pressure on the ADAC, its regional clubs, the NLS and Nürburgring stakeholders to clarify how the two championships could coexist.
Rosorius has instead urged them to avoid parallel programmes and establish one economically sustainable structure.
With organisers targeting a 2027 launch, the parties face limited time to resolve their differences. The ILN nevertheless believes meaningful reform should wait until 2028, allowing teams to prepare and stakeholders to agree on a long-term future for endurance racing on the Nordschleife.
