Private investor group acquires long-term stake in Hockenheim-Ring GmbH

Entry of five medium-sized entrepreneurial families heralds a new era 

250 million in investments planned, including the technology center and mobility solutions, hotel and Motorworld at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The municipal council of the city of Hockenheim yesterday approved the entry of the emodrom group holding GmbH and the five medium-sized entrepreneurial families involved in it into the group of shareholders of the Hockenheim-Ring GmbH. The new shareholder now holds 74.99 percent of the shares. The City of Hockenheim (previously 94 percent) and the Badischer Motorsport-Club e.V. (previously 6 percent) remain shareholders with a total of 25,01 percent and will continue to play a key role in the further development of the Hockenheimring.

The strategic reorientation of the Hockenheimring began in 2012 with the founding of emodrom GmbH. In addition to the existing partners Timbra Group and Assenheimer Group, Dünkel GmbH & Co. KG, Paravan GmbH - together with Arnold NextG GmbH - and the Wirth Group. All in all, five financially strong, predominantly multi-generational, medium-sized family-owned companies from Southern Germany will be shareholders of Hockenheim-Ring GmbH in the future.

In addition to a very high level of expertise in real estate and project development, the group of investors is characterized by proven competence in the racing and automotive business, a pioneering role in mobility innovations for people with and without disabilities, and in the development of new vehicle concepts and architectures as well as sustainability. These are the best prerequisites for setting the course for a successful future and long-term international competitiveness.

Over the next ten to 15 years, the Group will invest 250 million euros. Concrete plans include the expansion of the Porsche Experience Center, the construction of a hotel and a Motorworld as an attractive attraction for car enthusiasts. These projects are expected to be completed within the next two to three years. The future group of shareholders has full confidence in the existing management and is also committed to continuity in the operating business.

"We are delighted to be part of this vision for the future. The site is ideal for the PARAVAN Driving School to conduct initial driving tests and driver safety training for people who have suffered accidents, strokes or neuromuscular diseases. So that people with physical disabilities can take part in road traffic even more safely and also experience their own borderline situations," says Roland Arnold, founder and managing director of PARAVAN GmbH. "Another focus is the testing and further development of vehicles with alternative drive systems and a high degree of automation. It is particularly important that these are considered integratively from the outset with regard to safety architecture, total weight and range, for example in the case of electric mobility."

"Technology development will be an important location factor at the Hockenheimring. Motorsport has always been an important "development laboratory" and an ideal testing ground for testing and developing new technologies under the toughest, but also reproducible conditions. In addition, the Hockenheimring is an ideal development site for drive-by-wire applications in the field of autonomous driving," adds Kevin Arnold, Managing Director of Arnold NextG GmbH. "The Hockenheimring offers a unique development and networking platform for our customers such as OEMs, suppliers, technology companies and tire manufacturers. New vehicle concepts and architectures also make an important contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions".

"Yesterday's decision by the city of Hockenheim is an important step in the strategic reorientation of the Hockenheimring. We are delighted about the trust placed in us and are proud to be part of this groundbreaking development," said Tim Brauer, Managing Director of the emodrom Group. "Since the foundation of emodrom GmbH in 2012, we have continuously worked on the modernization and further development of the Hockenheimring. The inclusion of the emodrom group holding in the group of shareholders is a further step that will enable us to further strengthen the Hockenheimring as a leading race track and to implement forward-looking projects."

"I am overjoyed that the city council has unanimously approved the signing of the contract for the further development of the Hockenheimring. All parties involved have been working intensively on the matter and the vision for the future for months. Above all, it has become clear that our new partners have come to stay! I am convinced that together we will steer the Hockenheimring into a great future. I am looking forward to an exciting and positive cooperation," said Lord Mayor Marcus Zeitler.

The starting signal for the first measures will be given immediately after the formal official and notarial confirmation, so that the Hockenheimring will soon be at the center of new infrastructure concepts, sustainable formats and innovations in the field of new mobility concepts and tests as well as alternative drives.

About the Hockenheimring

The Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg is one of the most famous and traditional race tracks in the world. Since its opening in 1932, the Hockenheimring has hosted countless motorsport events, including the German Formula 1 Grand Prix, the FIA GT Championship, the German Motorcycle Grand Prix, the NitrOlympX, the IDM and the DTM. In addition to racing, the Hockenheimring is also known as the venue for Germany's largest open-air concerts and, from 2023, the Glücksgefühle festival. As a multifunctional event venue, the circuit can be used for a wide variety of events, such as industrial and motorsport tests, driver training and experiences, workshops and conferences, product presentations, incentives and congresses. www.hockenheimring.de

About Arnold NextG GmbH 

Arnold NextG realizes the Safety-by-Wire® technology of tomorrow – whether on land, water, or in the air. They offer the globally unique and multi-redundant central control unit NX NextMotion, enabling fail-safe and individual implementation. As an independent advanced developer, incubator, and system supplier, Arnold NextG takes care of planning and implementation – from vision to road approval. Website: www.arnoldnextg.com

About Paravan GmbH

PARAVAN GmbH is the global market leader for highly customized vehicle solutions for the disabled. The company employs approximately 180 individuals at its Pfronstetten Aichelau site and Heidelberg branch, where they develop and produce individually adapted car conversions, power wheelchairs, and specialized driver training. PARAVAN's "one-stop shop concept" represents a holistic approach to its business. The technological highlight is Space Drive, an intelligent digital control system based on the drive-by-wire principle. Thanks to the active redundancy of the servomotors, it is completely fail-safe and the first with road approval. This innovation enables severely disabled people, some without arms or legs, to drive independently and safely. It is not possible for these drivers to simply intervene in the steering wheel. Space Drive has proven itself on over a billion kilometers of roads worldwide over the past 20 years and is used by numerous industrial customers for test vehicles in the field of autonomous driving. The system is available as a retrofit kit with an open interface for all known vehicle types. For more information, please visit www.paravan.com.