Nürburgring 24 Hours: 1.5 million square metres of camping and 80,000 sausages

More than 2,500 full time and volunteer staff are required to run the legendary event around the 25.378 kilometre Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit combination. This year boasts a record entry of 161 race cars.

A total of 1,200 marshals are stationed around the Nordschleife across 17 sections, supported by 90 pit lane marshals and 50 more on the starting grid. Another 30 officials oversee paddock operations during the race weekend.

Race control alone involves 30 people, including the Clerk of the Course, Chief Safety Officer and Chief Medical Officer, while another 96 staff handle scrutineering, timekeeping, parc fermé operations and event coordination.

Safety remains one of the biggest challenges at the Nürburgring.

A 54 person DMSB unit operates across 11 safety vehicles, while another 30 intervention staff secure accident scenes and assist rescue operations around the circuit.

Medical services include 100 doctors and paramedics working in shifts, supported by 8 ambulances, 2 medical cars, multiple emergency response teams and a rescue helicopter stationed at the medical centre.

The Nürburgring also deploys 90 fire brigade personnel with 8 fire engines around the track and additional support units in outer areas.

Recovery crews include 30 specialists with tow trucks and recovery tractors positioned around the Nordschleife to respond quickly to stranded or damaged cars.

This year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours features 161 entries after organisers increased the original maximum grid size of 150 cars. The scale away from the track is equally enormous.

Fans have access to 70,000 parking spaces and 1.5 million square metres of camping areas around the Nordschleife.

Organisers installed 690 mobile toilets, 170 shower facilities and 80 floodlight towers to support the hundreds of thousands of spectators expected across race week.

Preparations also included repainting 9 kilometres of curbs and edge markings, installing 20 kilometres of construction fencing and completing 10,000 working hours before the event began.

And as always at the Nürburgring, fans are expected to consume huge amounts of food during the four day event, including around 80,000 sausages and up to 8 tonnes of fries.