My NLS debut – A dream on the Nordschleife
The preparations are complete, the tension is rising: my first race on the iconic Nordschleife is just around the corner — better known as The Green Hell. At last, we’re on our way to the Nürburgring! De Nordschleife is magical, unforgiving, and addictive. What a place to begin my NLS adventure. I can’t wait for what’s to come!
The Magic of the Nordschleife
The Nordschleife is not just any circuit. With a length of over 24 kilometers, 84 corners, and 300 meters of elevation change, it is without doubt the most challenging circuit in the world. The track is so unique that you’re not simply allowed to race there: you must first obtain a special license — the Nordschleife Permit. Without this permit, there is no participation. So on Thursday morning, we head to the circuit early to go through the entire process.
Thursday – Permit Day
The permit consists of three parts:
Online theory
Theory at the circuit
Practical driving on the circuit
I complete the online theory in advance at home. This covers specific rules you don’t encounter with a regular racing license — such as the absence of a safety car and the importance of Code 60 zones. At the circuit, the day starts with about an hour of classroom theory together with other drivers. This is followed by a “track walk” in a bus, where we receive explanations at various points around the circuit.
Once that’s done, we head to the pit box and meet the members of the team. The most important person for me this weekend is Panti; he is the chief mechanic and therefore responsible for the car and the strategy. And then it’s time for the real work: the practical driving session.
Friday – The First Laps on the Nordschleife
The team prepares a BMW 128ti: front-wheel drive, so familiar territory. Flat out!
We have to complete eight laps with an instructor. The first four are driven in a group, following the instructor. After that, the group splits up and we continue at a higher pace. My instructor sees that the speed is good and decides that after just two fast laps, we’re already ready for free driving. A great compliment!
The track is initially quiet, but it quickly turns into a testing playground with cars from all classes. You drive your own lines, but constantly have to check your mirrors and make room — a real challenge. Between 11:00 and 14:00, I’m allowed to drive solo. The task: at least eight laps, don’t crash! Everything runs smoothly, and by 13:00 I’ve completed them all and can already switch to our own BMW 330i for some extra test time.
Permit Secured – Ready for the Race
At 14:00, I collect my permit. Mission accomplished! I use the rest of the day to put in extra kilometers in the race car — valuable mileage toward the first real race of the season.
Qualifying
It’s Saturday and time for qualifying. We’re with three drivers and have two hours on the clock — plenty of time to choose the right moment. Piet-Jan kicks things off and puts us in a provisional P1. Then Marius gets in the car, but his lap coincides with a Code 60, preventing him from improving his time.
Then it’s my turn. During practice I was still more than 15 seconds off the pace of my teammates, but I studied their onboard footage and feel well prepared.
I get two laps: one to find the rhythm and one flying lap. Everything goes our way — I encounter almost no traffic and have a clear track. I improve our time and set a faster lap than my teammates. What an incredible feeling! I was briefly worried that I wouldn’t be able to match the pace, but I’m right on it straight away. We finish in P2 — a fantastic starting position!
The Race
Ten minutes after qualifying, it starts to rain. The forecasts predicted rain later on, but on the Nordschleife it can be completely different everywhere. With information from our support team at the far end of the circuit, we decide — as the only team — to start on slicks, and it works out perfectly. After just one lap, we already have a 45-second lead.
We even extend this to more than two minutes, but we can’t hold on to it. Due to a series of unfavorable Code 60 zones, our advantage shrinks, and when I get in the car, we’re still just holding P1. But at the end of my first lap, I hear over the radio: we’re now 2.5 minutes behind. That hurts...
No reason to hang my head. I still have well over an hour and forty minutes to go — anything is possible. Flat out! I quickly find my rhythm, feel comfortable in the car, and can significantly increase the pace. No mistakes, just pushing. Over the radio, I hear Panti say that at that moment I’m the fastest driver in our class. That gives an enormous boost!
Halfway through, we make a short “splash and dash,” after which I calmly guide the car toward the finish. We finish in P2 — a fantastic result!
A Weekend to Never Forget
What an experience. From earning my permit to racing in constantly changing conditions — everything came together. I learned a lot, took big steps forward, and enjoyed every single minute on this legendary circuit.
Thanks to my team, my teammates, and everyone working behind the scenes. This definitely leaves me wanting more. The next race is already circled on the calendar. I can’t wait to put my helmet back on and go flat out once again.
More photos from this weekend can be found here!
