Nurburgring first-timer
Discussion
Similar post on Porsche section with some addition info
(2nd page)
I posted this if it helps:-
Three tips i can give:-
1. don't even try to remember all the corners, just try and remember the scary ones !!!!
2. Look for the tyre marks on the armcos, they give a good indication of turn in and apex points used by the regulars !!!
3. Leave your testosterone at home, that mini clubman will be trying to get past you, but he will know where the next corners goes, YOU WON'T'
G.
(2nd page)
I posted this if it helps:-
Three tips i can give:-
1. don't even try to remember all the corners, just try and remember the scary ones !!!!
2. Look for the tyre marks on the armcos, they give a good indication of turn in and apex points used by the regulars !!!
3. Leave your testosterone at home, that mini clubman will be trying to get past you, but he will know where the next corners goes, YOU WON'T'
G.
Learn where Adenaur Forst is
It is the one corner that WILL catch you out. It tightens sharply and you end up bouncing across the kerbs, good chance of smashing your suspension.
Other than that, take it easy first few laps, its not as scary as everyone thinks and flows nicely (apart from adenaur forst)
It really is unbelievable, and addictive, every other track day you do after is simply preparation for the next Ring trip.
Plus locals are really cool, surrounding area is stunning.
I don't like the ring
(suddenly the piano player stops and everyone turns and stares at the mad fool.)
I like to be able to learn a track reasonably quickly and then spend time perfecting it. At the ring, you need to spend an inordinate amount of time (and vast sums of cash) to gain the education necessary to be even semi-competent. I went out last week with a guy that's done over 500 laps of it and really knows it (he does it in under 8 minutes in his Atom) and that was a true masterclass. To get even close to that level would take too long for me. I like the challenge of a new circuit, but one that's new every lap is a bit too extreme for me.
I know that other opinions are available, but if you are one of the few that don't like it, you aren't alone...
(suddenly the piano player stops and everyone turns and stares at the mad fool.)
I like to be able to learn a track reasonably quickly and then spend time perfecting it. At the ring, you need to spend an inordinate amount of time (and vast sums of cash) to gain the education necessary to be even semi-competent. I went out last week with a guy that's done over 500 laps of it and really knows it (he does it in under 8 minutes in his Atom) and that was a true masterclass. To get even close to that level would take too long for me. I like the challenge of a new circuit, but one that's new every lap is a bit too extreme for me.
I know that other opinions are available, but if you are one of the few that don't like it, you aren't alone...
Bruce Fielding said:
I don't like the ring
(suddenly the piano player stops and everyone turns and stares at the mad fool.)
I like to be able to learn a track reasonably quickly and then spend time perfecting it. At the ring, you need to spend an inordinate amount of time (and vast sums of cash) to gain the education necessary to be even semi-competent. I went out last week with a guy that's done over 500 laps of it and really knows it (he does it in under 8 minutes in his Atom) and that was a true masterclass. To get even close to that level would take too long for me. I like the challenge of a new circuit, but one that's new every lap is a bit too extreme for me.
I know that other opinions are available, but if you are one of the few that don't like it, you aren't alone...
A very controversial opinion, but very interesting all the same.
I can see what you're saying here, but i think that the fact the the takes so long to master, is what makes it so appealling in the 1st place.
I think some people are just not happy until they have got it sussed (to some degree), and that's why they keep going back !!!
Well that's my view anyway !!
G.
Bruce, I think we met last week, I was staying at the Wilhelmshoe with the GT3RS.
Can't agree on it being expensive to learn the Ring. My experience prior to last week amounted to a few public day laps 3 years ago but after spending £29.95 and a few evenings playing Gran Turismo 4 I didn’t have any trouble knowing where the track went. Obviously there’s still lots to learn but that’s half the fun of it. I certainly wasn’t lapping in under 8 minutes but I wasn’t hanging about either.
As for not liking it, in my eyes it’s about as close to motoring heaven as you can get and I’ll be back at the first chance I get.
Can't agree on it being expensive to learn the Ring. My experience prior to last week amounted to a few public day laps 3 years ago but after spending £29.95 and a few evenings playing Gran Turismo 4 I didn’t have any trouble knowing where the track went. Obviously there’s still lots to learn but that’s half the fun of it. I certainly wasn’t lapping in under 8 minutes but I wasn’t hanging about either.
As for not liking it, in my eyes it’s about as close to motoring heaven as you can get and I’ll be back at the first chance I get.
glenn mcmenamin said:
I think some people are just not happy until they have got it sussed (to some degree), and that's why they keep going back !!
You're partly right, but the facinating thing is....once you think you have it sussed, someone comes along and shows you that in fact you dont!
Dave
Im currently considering my first trip round Nurburgring.
Ive just started doing the Grand Tourismo 4 thing and in a TVR tuscan am around the 8minutes 30 mark.
It is handy for getting a rough idea of where some of those corners are.
Of course in real life i would be dead! as every lap involves atleast one ding on the Armco barrier at around 160... oops!!
I certainly believe the 'ring' is something you must do atleast once in your life..
Ive just started doing the Grand Tourismo 4 thing and in a TVR tuscan am around the 8minutes 30 mark.
It is handy for getting a rough idea of where some of those corners are.
Of course in real life i would be dead! as every lap involves atleast one ding on the Armco barrier at around 160... oops!!
I certainly believe the 'ring' is something you must do atleast once in your life..
MannyA said:
I have a funny feeling we are going to see lots of accidents at the ring this season caused by people who have got the circuit "sussed" after 100 laps on the playstation.
Its when you think you know it that it bites back.
I'm hoping i don't fall into this bracket though !!!
Bruce Fielding said:I can't say I don't like the 'ring
I don't like the ring
(suddenly the piano player stops and everyone turns and stares at the mad fool.)
I like to be able to learn a track reasonably quickly and then spend time perfecting it. At the ring, you need to spend an inordinate amount of time (and vast sums of cash) to gain the education necessary to be even semi-competent...... I like the challenge of a new circuit, but one that's new every lap is a bit too extreme for me.
I know that other opinions are available, but if you are one of the few that don't like it, you aren't alone...
because I've never done it ..... but the main reason
why I've never done it has just been set out by Bruce.
My hobbies are Golf, Playing the Piano and Track Days.
I get much more satisfaction from playing my home
club well, than struggling on an unknown 'famous' golf
course; I get much more pleasure from playing a
'simple' early Haydn piano sonata really well,
than making a bit of a hash of a well known late Beethoven work
and I get a huge kick from putting together a series
of really good laps at a circuit with a moderate number of interesting corners.
There's far too much 'emperor's new clothes' in this
world ...... keep silencing that piano player Bruce!
Nurburgring trips are not that expensive, accomodation and ferries are peanuts and its about £7 a lap, whole weekend inc petrol will amount to £450, not much more than a good trackday with the bonus of the Autobahns and the great location and people.
Each to their own regarding the Nurburgring, I love it, the complexity of it, the elevation changes,and the sheer speed and danger of it. I simply do not get the same rush from a track day as I do from a lap of the nurburgring.
Each to their own regarding the Nurburgring, I love it, the complexity of it, the elevation changes,and the sheer speed and danger of it. I simply do not get the same rush from a track day as I do from a lap of the nurburgring.
MannyA said:
Nurburgring trips are not that expensive, accomodation and ferries are peanuts and its about £7 a lap, whole weekend inc petrol will amount to £450, not much more than a good trackday with the bonus of the Autobahns and the great location and people.
I always budget in the region of £700 for a weekend. The wear and tear damage to the car is significant, the minor costs are fuel, lap tickets, food, drink, accomodation, crossing. These other bits are fixed costs... but it's realising once back you need a new set of tires and pads that get me!!
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