Ever since its construction between 1925 and 1927, the Nordschleife (North Loop) of the Nürburgring has gained a reputation as a remorseless and notorious stretch of racing track through the Eifel. Jackie Stewart, three times Formula One World Champion, was so impressed by this stretch, that he gave it the name for which it has since become famous: the “Green Hell”.

Having gained its notoriety as an extreme challenge, the Nordschleife is even today regarded as a benchmark in motorsport and the automotive industry. A victory on the Nordschleife is considered an event of major significance among racing drivers, as this course is regarded as being enormously demanding. Differing surfaces combine with concealed curves, treacherous hill crests which present drivers with blind spots and severe inclinations and gradients which test driving skills to the limit and are a severe test for vehicles. The stress to which vehicles are subjected on the Nordschleife corresponds to 20 times that experienced on normal roads.

The 24 Hours Nürburgring is the most widely known racing event today and is held on a combination of the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix route.

The 20.8 kilometre long Nordschleife is open for about 200 days to cars and motorcycles. Classified as a public motor route, the rules of the German Highway Code (StVO) apply, meaning overtaking is only permitted on the left.