Why KTM test rider Pol Espargaro will be putting the pedal to the metal between the walls of the Norisring during the DTM and why there is such a great tradition of two-wheeled racing there
An unusual item on the program for the DTM weekend at the Norisring in a week and a half: On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be two “Red Bull MotoGP” events on the schedule! MotoGP bikes on the fast city circuit in Nuremberg? That sounds dangerous, but it would fit in with the track’s two-wheeled tradition, because until 1976, motorcycle races with top stars such as Giacomo Agostini were held in the “Franconian Monaco.”
But what’s really behind this program item? “We have planned a MotoGP show run together with Red Bull KTM,” “Pol Espargaro will perform demo rides several times a day.”
And that could be quite a spectacle: the 34-year-old Spaniard, who was Moto2 champion in 2013, was a MotoGP rider until the end of 2023 and is currently a test rider for the Red Bull-supported KTM factory team, is set to race the RC16 at “a brisk pace” around the narrow city circuit.
Why there is MotoGP action at the Norisring
Racing bikes are a regular feature on city circuits: for example, at the classic race in Macau in November, where, in addition to the GT World Cup and the Grand Prix for formula cars, a legendary motorcycle race takes place every year that is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
But why is the MotoGP demo ride taking place between the concrete walls of the Norisring? The DTM promoter ADAC wants to promote the MotoGP’s guest appearance in Germany at the Sachsenring, which will take place from July 11 to 13 – one week after the DTM – and is also being organized by Europe’s largest automobile club.
In previous years, there have been several overlaps, which is why many ADAC officials from the motorsport sector commuted between Franconia and Saxony.
Norisring’s birth on two wheels
What many people don’t know: The first race ever at the Norisring took place in 1947 on two wheels. It was the “First Nuremberg Circuit Race for Motorcycles of All Classes.” Until the mid-1970s, despite fatal accidents, two-wheeled events dominated the track at the former Nazi party rally grounds around the stone grandstand.
This was probably also due to the fact that numerous motorcycle manufacturers such as Ardie, Hecker, Mars, Triumph, Victoria, Herkules, and Zündapp were based in Nuremberg. It was only then that motorcycles lost their importance due to the automobile boom, and the German Racing Championship and later the DTM and sports cars took over the leading role at the Dutzendteich.
Final motorcycle highlight in 1976 with Agostini and Cecotto
In 1976, the Norisring Cup provided one last motorcycle highlight, with riders such as superstar Agostini, who celebrated a victory, and Johnny Cecotto at the start. Then the drivers on four wheels finally took command.
It was not until 2001 that the Norisring was revived with the Classic Motorcycle Cup for classic motorcycle races. However, it was only a brief comeback, as local residents complained about the private event, which was no longer approved from 2008 onwards due to noise protection reasons.
In 2017, historic motorcycles made a reappearance in the DTM support program, and now, thanks to Red Bull, KTM, and the ADAC, the premier class MotoGP is even returning, albeit only for demonstration purposes.