By Legendary since it’s inception in 1927, the Eifel low mountain range based Nurburgring is based near the Nurburg Castle. The ‘Nordschleife’ circuit was dubbed by three times Formula 1 World Champion Jackie Stewart as ‘Green Hell’.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing for various years commenced with famous winners in the 1930’s such as Graham Walker, Jimmy Simpson, Wal Handley, Henry Tyrell-Smith, Jimmie Guthrie and Stanley Woods.
Later years saw more roads, TT legends triumphing like Bill Lomas, Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Bill Ivy, Kel Carruthers.
In 1984 the original Nurburgring was replaced by a new circuit. This circuit version (2.248 miles long) last weekend hosted the latest round of this year’s IDM Championship.
Well-known names for roads scene fans competing included:
Martin Vugrinec (Prize of Krizevci experienced), Julius Ilmberger (IRRC Superbike wildcard at Schleiz in June) competing alongside new four times IDM Superbike Champion, Ukraine’s Ilya Mikhalchik.
Two young Belgian guns, Sasha De Vits (formerly Super Twins exponent at Circuit De Chimay), 2024 BeNeLux Supersport Championship Jef Van Calster (IRRC Schleiz – Supersport Race 1 winner) took middleweight (Supersport) races points finishes.
Felix Kauertz (last year, Twin Cup podium finisher at Frohburger Dreieck), made the podium x1 in the Yamalube R7 Cup category.
Felix Kauertz (last year Twin Cup podium finisher at Frohburger Dreieck) made podium in Yamalube Yamaha R7 Cup.
Pro Superstock 1000 action contained the already-mentioned Julius Ilmberger, Marc Neumann (2023, 2024 IRRC Schleiz wild-card rider), Ricardo Brink (fast Hengelo-Varsselring exponent). Felix Klinck (Frohburg Super Twins rider), IRRC Schleiz experienced Freddie Heinrich and 2022 Irish Masters Superbike Champion Thomas O’Grady.
Jan Buchel, Gido Nittke are no strangers to Frohburg, Udo Reichmann carries the same attribute plus competing at Horice. Whilst Sheridan Morais CV boasts the Frohburg Supersport lap record and Macau Grand Prix podium success from 2022.
IDM (Internationale Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft) 2024 final round takes place later this month, at the Hockenheimring (20th-22nd September).
Photo credit: Michael Wincott
Words by Jan Vavra
