Mulheim
Mülheim an der Ruhr sits in the heart of the Ruhr industrial region, offering motorsport enthusiasts a strategically advantageous position between several premier racing circuits. This city of approximately 170,000 residents is located about 150-160 km from the Nürburgring, translating to roughly 1 hour 45 minutes of driving via the A3 and A61 autobahns through the Rhineland to Nürburg. Alternatively, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium lies approximately 110-120 km to the west, also reachable in under 1.5 hours via the A4 and A44. This dual proximity to two of Europe's most legendary racing circuits makes Mülheim an attractive base for track day enthusiasts.
The organized motorsport scene in Mülheim is dominated by the Automobilclub Mülheim an der Ruhr e.V. im ADAC, located at Mellinghofer Straße 165. This traditional club maintains an active motorsport division that regularly focuses on autocross and automobile slalom events. The motorsport group meets every first Thursday of the month at Gaststätte zum alten Bahnhof on Hauskampstraße 14. The club organizes not only competitions but also classic car meetings and group driving tours. For beginners, ADAC Nordrhein regularly offers slalom training sessions, providing a cost-effective way to explore your vehicle's limits in a controlled environment. Participation fees for ADAC slalom events typically range between 60-100 euros per event.
For Nürburgring track days, various options are available. Public tourist driving sessions on the Nordschleife start at 30 euros per lap, with lap cards for 4 laps available from approximately 110 euros. The Nordschleife is open from March to November on most weekends and selected weekdays, weather permitting. Organized track day providers like RSRNurburg, Pistenclub, or Drive-in-Motion offer structured events with instructors, timing systems, and various driver groups. Costs for a full track day range between 300-600 euros, depending on track configuration (Nordschleife only, GP circuit only, or combinations) and the number of driver groups. Spa-Francorchamps offers similar track day formats through organizers like RSR, with prices starting around 350 euros for a day.
Karting enthusiasts will find several options in the region. While Mülheim itself doesn't have a permanent karting track, the ProKart Raceland indoor karting facility in Essen-Kray lies just 10 km away. This indoor facility offers a 450-meter track with electric karts reaching speeds up to 60 km/h. Prices start at approximately 20-25 euros for 10 minutes of driving time. For outdoor karting, MSC Mülheim an der Ruhr e.V. occasionally organizes karting events, usually as part of ADAC series. Within a 30 km radius, you'll find additional karting facilities in Bochum, Dortmund, and Duisburg, offering both recreational driving and league racing.
The geographic position in the Ruhr region also provides access to smaller racing circuits and testing facilities. The ADAC Fahrsicherheitszentrum (Driving Safety Center) in Grevenbroich lies approximately 50 km southwest and offers drift and high-speed courses in addition to safety training. For rally enthusiasts, ADAC Nordrhein regularly organizes rally sprints and orienteering drives in the region. The Bergische ADAC club hosts several annual rallies in the forests of the nearby Bergisches Land region, about 20-30 km east of Mülheim. These events offer both spectator opportunities and participation chances for licensed drivers.
Mülheim sits at the edge of the Bergisches Land, a hilly region with winding country roads known for spirited driving. The routes between Mülheim and Wuppertal offer numerous serpentines and elevation changes, particularly along the L 60 and L 439 through forests and small villages. These roads are equally popular with motorcyclists and sports car drivers, though caution is advised as police conduct increased speed checks on weekends. The area around the Ruhr reservoirs (Baldeneysee, Kemnader See) offers scenically attractive loop routes for more relaxed outings. For structured road drives, the Automobilclub Mülheim regularly organizes touring car excursions to the region's most beautiful routes.
Proximity to several major cities also means access to extensive motorsport communities. Porsche enthusiasts can join the Porsche Club Ruhrgebiet, which organizes regular meetings and driving tours. BMW drivers will find an active chapter in BMW Club Deutschland Ruhr with monthly gatherings and joint track days. The Audi Sport Community Rhein-Ruhr also organizes regular events, from Nürburgring track days to technical seminars. These brand clubs often offer discounted group rates for track days and enable exchange with experienced drivers.
For the technically minded, Mülheim offers several specialized workshops focused on motorsport preparation. These range from suspension specialists to engine tuning experts. Proximity to Essen, the historic center of Ruhr industry, means access to highly qualified mechanics and deep understanding of automotive technology. Several workshops offer complete track day preparation services, including brake maintenance, suspension setup, and safety equipment installation. Costs for a complete track day inspection typically range between 200-400 euros, depending on vehicle type and required work.