The FIA World Touring Car Championship will go from the shortest track in Marrakech to the longest of them all when the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife hosts WTCC race Germany for the second time next week (26-28 May). It’s also the biggest challenge of them all with 64 heart-stopping turns lying in wait over the 25.278km lap, a combination of the grand prix circuit and the Nordschleife loop.
Named the Green Hell by Sir Jackie Stewart due to its demanding and unforgiving layout, the Nurburgring Nordschleife offers the ultimate test for car and driver. This year, among the race highlights are expected to be:
- Local star Sabine Schmitz returns after being the first female to score a WTCC point in the championship era, which was achieved in the 2015 race.
- In addition to the WTCC race cars, competitors from the FIA European Touring Car Cup will be racing at the same time during two three-lap contests. It’s the first time this has ever been done.
- Tour de France-inspired Manufacturers Against the Clock (WTCC MAC3) team trial takes centre stage following Qualifying on Friday afternoon. Citroen, Honda and Lada will nominate three drivers to take part in reverse championship order in three-minute intervals.
- The driver who sets the fastest time of all during both races will win the TAG Heuer Best Lap Trophy and receive a TAG Heuer watch.
- WTCC’s first visit to the Green Hell last year captivated television audiences in 188 countries worldwide with a cumulative audience of 37.397 million watching the action. This is made possible by use of 68 TV signals (32 trackside cameras, 24 onboard and two heli-mounted Cineflex cameras).
