Nurburgring and track days
Discussion
A buddy of mine is always goin on about the ring and is trying to convince me that I should go this year. Any of you guys been? If so what are your thoughts and recomendations
I've never done a track day before so do you think it's worth doing one first and if so wheres a good one to learn without the potential to hit walls Etc if I loose it.
CHeers
Mark
>>> Edited by beechy on Thursday 5th February 15:42
I've never done a track day before so do you think it's worth doing one first and if so wheres a good one to learn without the potential to hit walls Etc if I loose it.
CHeers
Mark
>>> Edited by beechy on Thursday 5th February 15:42
It's quite possibly the worst place in the world for a first trackday, although there's no reason not to go. Just take it easy, treat it like a big one-way country road with bikers and 911 Turbos screaming past every so often 
To learn more about your car at minimal risk, try an airfield at a venue like Elvington. Most damage you're likely to do will be clipping a cone - there's huge amounts of tarmac runoff and plenty of grass beyond that. Or for a proper track, Donington Park has very good runoff in most places.
If you want tuition too, I've heard nothing but good things about the 1stlotus days.
To learn more about your car at minimal risk, try an airfield at a venue like Elvington. Most damage you're likely to do will be clipping a cone - there's huge amounts of tarmac runoff and plenty of grass beyond that. Or for a proper track, Donington Park has very good runoff in most places.
If you want tuition too, I've heard nothing but good things about the 1stlotus days.
I agree with sjg - the Nurburgring is the worst track in the world for your first trackday. Scares the sh*t out of me! More importantly, there is no run off so if you get it wrong you're in big trouble.
The Bedford autodrome is a great place to go. It's a long (3 miles +) track with no armco and only one gravel trap. If you spin on 99% of the corners you will end up on the grass with no damage aside from your ego. RMA are the people to talk to but get in fast as the days there get booked up very quickly.
The Bedford autodrome is a great place to go. It's a long (3 miles +) track with no armco and only one gravel trap. If you spin on 99% of the corners you will end up on the grass with no damage aside from your ego. RMA are the people to talk to but get in fast as the days there get booked up very quickly.
I have also been told that Bedford is the best place to do your first track day.
Seloc have a couple of Bedford days coming up, you could have a look on the forum events table and see if you could get on one of them I guess. There is one on saturday actually although I think it is probably now full, no reason why you couldn't go along and watch/cadge a ride (take your helmet tho')
Gill
@Sinclaire
Seloc have a couple of Bedford days coming up, you could have a look on the forum events table and see if you could get on one of them I guess. There is one on saturday actually although I think it is probably now full, no reason why you couldn't go along and watch/cadge a ride (take your helmet tho')
Gill
@Sinclaire
Check these guys out for details - great organisation and sensible drivers (with the odd exception 
):
http://rma-limited.co.uk/
): http://rma-limited.co.uk/
Beechy,
Check out www.nurburgring.org.uk/ especially the saftey leaflet. Treat a trip to the ring as an opportunity to drive a very challenging mountain road and not like a track day (ITS NOT) and you're half way there. You certainly don't need to be an expert to go, public (touristenfahrt) days are just that, for us mortals. That said it might be a good idea to do a few friendly uk trackdays like bedford to get used to how you and your car react/cope/enjoy being on a circuit.
Have fun and beware its seriously addictive.
Francis
Check out www.nurburgring.org.uk/ especially the saftey leaflet. Treat a trip to the ring as an opportunity to drive a very challenging mountain road and not like a track day (ITS NOT) and you're half way there. You certainly don't need to be an expert to go, public (touristenfahrt) days are just that, for us mortals. That said it might be a good idea to do a few friendly uk trackdays like bedford to get used to how you and your car react/cope/enjoy being on a circuit.
Have fun and beware its seriously addictive.
Francis
It was my first ever track day!
Just because your on a track, doesnt mean you have to take your brain out!! The Ring is a road anyway, and needs to be treated as such. Things can go wrong there and if they do, its more luck than skill that gets you out of the poo, but if you bear that in mind and abide by the rules, you will have a fab time
Just because your on a track, doesnt mean you have to take your brain out!! The Ring is a road anyway, and needs to be treated as such. Things can go wrong there and if they do, its more luck than skill that gets you out of the poo, but if you bear that in mind and abide by the rules, you will have a fab time
beechy said:
A buddy of mine is always goin on about the ring and is trying to convince me that I should go this year. Any of you guys been? If so what are your thoughts and recomendations
I've never done a track day before so do you think it's worth doing one first and if so wheres a good one to learn without the potential to hit walls Etc if I loose it.
CHeers
Mark
>>> Edited by beechy on Thursday 5th February 15:42
as most have said, not a good track for 1st experience it is the most intimidating track in the world bar none, saying that, it is also the most exhilarating IMO, if you do decide to go maybe look at a GPS nav system that has the ring on it, this will help give you an idea of tight corners after long straights, or get yourself a copy of Grand prix legends for your PC and practice this circuit.
Have fun and be safe
Nik
The ring is indeed the worst place for learning to drive properly. But it will also last the longest. I've been driving there for 4 years now and i'm still far from being a pro over there. After my 200 laps or so up to now i know the bends quite well but after a scary 100mph spin with 1 meter run off at each side i respect it even more in my 111s then in the beginning in my cordoba tdi. Try to watch many videolaps of the track, it will make it easier. If you see my car over there
http://users.pandora.be/hscg/Carz/Dzjee/images/Elise%20am%20Karussel.jpg
i'll happely take you for a passengerlap or you can follow me around
Bart
http://users.pandora.be/hscg/Carz/Dzjee/images/Elise%20am%20Karussel.jpg
i'll happely take you for a passengerlap or you can follow me around
Bart
beechy
Have you tried Bookatrack? www.bookatrack.com or Easytrack? www.easytrack.co.uk
They are both familiar with Elise owners! and will be able to advise you as a trackday virgin
Gill
@Sinclaire
Have you tried Bookatrack? www.bookatrack.com or Easytrack? www.easytrack.co.uk
They are both familiar with Elise owners! and will be able to advise you as a trackday virgin
Gill
@Sinclaire
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