• Autographs, photos, small talk – watching drivers and teams at work
• Fan from Saarland: bitten by the motorsport bug twelve years ago
• Anticipation for NES.02 on 3/4 May

“I couldn’t make it yesterday, but I set off really early this morning to get to the ‘Ring on time.” Shortly after the traffic lights at the end of the pit lane turned green at eight o’clock on Saturday, signalling the start of testing on the second day of the Nürburgring Endurance Series prologue, the first visitors were already walking through the paddock. Detlef Niemes, “from Siersburg in the beautiful Saarland”, as he says himself, has an unmistakable enthusiasm for motorsport. He is wearing a cap from the 24-hour race in Le Mans, has photo albums in his rucksack for collecting autographs and has his camera ready to hand.

When it comes to motorsport, Niemes is a latecomer. “I’m 67 years old now, and I was here at the Nürburgring for the first time in 2012. Far too late, sadly” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “But the injection I got back then is still working today. As long as my health allows it, I’ll be at as many races as possible.”

Late passion: Hunting for autographs in the paddock

It was clear to Niemes from the outset that he wanted to attend the NES.prologue. “When the action starts again after the winter break, that’s a great feeling, I definitely didn’t want to miss it,” he says with palpable enthusiasm. What does he particularly like about endurance racing at the Nürburgring? “The people are simply nice,” he replies. “You can walk into the garage, you can chat with the drivers, with the team members. That’s part of it. If someone doesn’t have time, then of course I understand, I don’t interrupt.”

For Niemes, photography is also part of the experience. “Photography is my hobby. I can’t take nice photos, I just take a lot of them,” he laughs. “I often have pictures printed and then get them signed, sometimes really large ones.” The Nürburgring is the Saarlander’s home circuit, the journey time is just under two hours. However, Niemes also enjoys travelling to other tracks: “I’ve been to Spa-Francorchamps and often to Le Mans. Every race track has something special, but the ‘Green Hell’ is simply beautiful. Nürburgring is simply Nürburgring!” With the NES.Prologue, the 2024 motorsport season has started for Niemes as well. “I’m looking forward to many more events,” he concludes and also wants to be back at the ‘Ring for NES.02, the first four-hour race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series, on 3-4 May.