The German motorsport association (DSMB) has released a clarification of the new set of permit rules released last December, in an attempt to prevent drivers without enough experience on the Nordschleife from being able to race.

Before, certain amateur drivers with a high enough licence could jump into a GT3 car (or similar) straight away and race. From this season onwards this won’t be the case however, as a new set of regulations are due to be put in place.

Other rules will be enforced too in a bid to make the Nürburgring a safer racing environment:

– Double waved yellows = no overtaking and 120kmh limit

– Pink Code 60 board = no overtaking and 60kmh limit, only used in worst possible circumstances

– Compulsory (but now free) E-learning course for every driver (including current permit holders), made with help from Porsche.

– Racers with Nat A or Int D licenses must complete 3 RCN races within two years, and finish in the top 75%. They must also complete an E-learning PLUS trackwalk to get Permit B.

Int C license holders can “shortcut” to Nordschleife Permit B (and VLN) via a (expensive and short) training course.

– There will be no shortcuts to the top permit: Permit A. Drivers must take all the required steps to gain this. Permit A is required for anyone wishing to race a high performance car in the VLN championship, and everyone wishing to enter the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Permit A upgrade can only be obtained by finishing two VLN races with a minimum of 18 laps driven, and in top 75% of a class with a minimum 3 starters.

The DMSB’s approach to the rule-making process led to recent conflict with many of the regular teams as a syndicate of entrants, including many of the very biggest contenders, who briefly threatened to boycott competition on the Nordschleife. The ILN however, posted on its Facebook page that it has now accepted this clarification and will not stage any boycotts after all.