The original site for the Norisring was designed by the Nazi Party as a staging ground, with lavish halls and sporting arenas adjoining parks and military parade grounds. Plans for the world’s largest arena were never completed but a 50,000 seat Congress Hall was constructed, though remained unfinished at the start of the war. The area was damaged by Allied bombing however, the area around the Zeppelinhaupttribüne or simply the Steintribüne remained serviceable and soon became a focus for the city’s motorcycle manufacturers, who were keen to show their wares to a wider public.
In 1947, the first motorcycle racing event took place at the Nuremberg street circuit that ran around a 360m (390 yd) long Steintribüne grandstand.
In 1950, the name Norisring was chosen for the venue in a competition to win a light motorcycle. Motorcycle racing events remained central to the circuit until 1957, as six motorcycle manufacturers were based in Nuremberg at the time.
