Upgrades Planned for Germany’s Nurburgring Circuit

The owners of Germany's historic Nurburgring Nordschleife race track announced plans to make 16 improvements to the site, which opened in 1927. Seven of the upgrades are due to be completed during the upcoming winter downtime that will run from November to next March.

As part of the plan, the track's current speed limit ban will be lifted as new safety measures are implemented. The limits were put in place earlier this year following a fatal accident during an endurance championship race.

More than 160 ft of the track will be resurfaced to eliminate bumps. Unspecified significant changes also are planned for the course's infamous "jump" at the track's Quiddelbacher Hohe section and the double right-hand Flugplatz turn. Taller fences and guard rails will be installed in several areas.

The owners, who promise to maintain the track's character, will detail the other planned changes later. Carmakers and suppliers have long-used the grueling 12.9-mile track to test various performance attributes.