Nürburgring to become theme park for speed addicts

Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife is a Mecca for racing enthusiasts around the world. Its sweeping curves, variable surfaces, and dramatic climbs and drops can humble even the best drivers and has quickly earned the track a reputation for being one of the ultimate tests of driver and machine. The track, however, will soon have a new type of fan as plans are already underway to turn the area next to the circuit into a theme park.

Scheduled to be opened late next year, the star attraction of the park will be a new rollercoaster capable of accelerating to a top speed of 217km/h in just 2.5 seconds. That’s two seconds faster than a F1 car takes to reach just 200km/h, reports AutoBild. The entire length of the rollercoaster will stretch 1.2km and according to its makers the cart will be accelerated using compressed air.

In addition to the rollercoaster, organizers are planning to build a new science center and museum, a Go-Kart track and an event hall. There’ll also be a new 5000-seat grandstand, a business lounge and a 160-room four star hotel.

The Nürburgring isn’t the only track getting its own theme park. Abu Dhabi is building a new Ferrari theme park complete with an F1-spec race track and organizers have plans for even more parks in coming years.