Building the Norisring DTM Circuit: 600 Helpers and 10,000 Hours

Norisring in Nuremberg is once again preparing to host its annual DTM round this weekend, marking the 81st edition of this classic touring and sports car race in Germany. Transforming the streets between Zeppelinfeld and Dutzendteich into a 2.3 km race circuit is a monumental task that involves a significant amount of effort and coordination.

The responsibility for this transformation falls to the Motorsport Club Nuremberg. Each year, 600 dedicated volunteers invest a total of 10,000 working hours to prepare for the most prestigious round of the DTM, held every June. Unlike other famous street circuits like Monaco and Singapore, which require extensive preparation times, the Norisring is built in just two weeks and dismantled in a mere seven days.

To ensure the safety of the drivers, the circuit is bordered by five kilometers of triple safety barriers and an equal amount of safety fences. Additionally, one kilometer of concrete barriers and more than 110 sets of 6×6 tires are installed. The infrastructure includes three kilometers of water and sewage pipelines and five kilometers of power cables. Temporary stands are erected to accommodate 25,000 spectators, along with 12 kilometers of safety fencing around the event site.

To ensure that all races run smoothly during the event, officially known as the 81st International ADAC Norisring Speed Weekend, the Motorsport Club Nuremberg regularly trains people who act as track marshals, licensed by the German Motor Sport Association (DMSB).

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the DTM in 1984. To celebrate, three of the four electric support vehicles for media representatives will feature iconic designs from the BMW M3 DTM E30s, including the Alpina, Warsteiner/Wintershall, and Jägermeister liveries.

BMW, a constant presence in the series alongside Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche, comes to Norisring following a win at Zandvoort thanks to factory driver Marco Wittmann. Wittmann, a two-time DTM champion, expressed his excitement for the event at Norisring: “Of course, the event in Nuremberg is a highlight for me, as it is every year. Above all because of all the fans, my fan club, my family, and my friends on site, who always bring a lot of support for me. It’s something very special every year. But also because of the special atmosphere at this event on the only street circuit in the racing calendar.”

Norisring is not just a race track; it is a testament to the dedication and passion of the motorsport community, demonstrating what can be achieved with teamwork and a shared love for racing. As the DTM drivers prepare to compete on this historic circuit, the volunteers and organizers can take pride in their remarkable achievement of bringing this event to life year after year.