Nurburgring first road trip
Discussion
At 40 years old, a group of us have decided that we want to have a drive to the Nurburgring (and hopefully back!) early next year.
We plan to do this over 3 days, leaving friday morning from Cornwall, ferry to Calais, make our way down through Germany and stay, then to the Ring on Saturday, drive back Sunday.
Overall very simple.
Just hoping to get some advice/pointers on roads/hotels/etc to see/do/stay on the way from those who have done it before!
TIA!
We plan to do this over 3 days, leaving friday morning from Cornwall, ferry to Calais, make our way down through Germany and stay, then to the Ring on Saturday, drive back Sunday.
Overall very simple.
Just hoping to get some advice/pointers on roads/hotels/etc to see/do/stay on the way from those who have done it before!
TIA!
That'll be a busy 3 days. Cornwall is a fair jaunt over to Dover/Folkstone, and then you've got a similar duration over through Europe on the other side too. That's a full day lost, and then the same again for the return leg. I'd definitely account for a couple of days at the Ring, perhaps a stay in Cologne to mix things up a little.
You can check to see when the track is open with the following link: https://nuerburgring.de/open-hours#event-inline-12
Dates for next year will generally be announced/released over Christmas, or into the New Year.
The route over is what you make of it. We always head over and use the 'motorway' as it's the fastest and we have the trailers, but generally turn off at Liege, as the scenery is quite nice (you can also swing passed Spa on the way) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Eurotunnel+Calais+...
You can check to see when the track is open with the following link: https://nuerburgring.de/open-hours#event-inline-12
Dates for next year will generally be announced/released over Christmas, or into the New Year.
The route over is what you make of it. We always head over and use the 'motorway' as it's the fastest and we have the trailers, but generally turn off at Liege, as the scenery is quite nice (you can also swing passed Spa on the way) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Eurotunnel+Calais+...
Been 5 years in a row before Covid and need to get back there my self next year .
I would say have a look in to a track day as TF is fun but a bit crazy some times and can cost a lot if things go wrong .
I can recommend the below hotel .
https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/an-der-nordschlei...
I would say have a look in to a track day as TF is fun but a bit crazy some times and can cost a lot if things go wrong .
I can recommend the below hotel .
https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/an-der-nordschlei...
I go about 4 times a year. A track day on your first visit is a complete waste of money. You won't be on track enough to justify the cost. Also, you need your car to drive home I imagine? Then you won't be in track all day to justify the cost or you'll be getting a taxi home.
I'd stay central, that way you have access to everything without having to drive. Try to stay in the dorint, track side. Worth the money for your first visit.
Other than that, just the usual, make sure your car is fit, it's extremely taxing mechanically. And maybe try to book a ring taxi or a pax lap with a regular. You'll be blown away.
Enjoy.
I'd stay central, that way you have access to everything without having to drive. Try to stay in the dorint, track side. Worth the money for your first visit.
Other than that, just the usual, make sure your car is fit, it's extremely taxing mechanically. And maybe try to book a ring taxi or a pax lap with a regular. You'll be blown away.
Enjoy.
Definitely go there and don't put it off. Fabulous scenery and atmosphere. There are dozens of places to stay in Nurburg or Adenau. I would er towards Nurburg though as you can walk to the track and leave the car at your hotel. Go to Am Tiergarten for steak on a stone and the memorabilia. Don't worry about Patricio the Maitre d' , he can be a little abrupt sometimes - but check the bill as the last few times they have got it wrong.
Visit the viewing points and do a lap but read all the rules. On track stick to the RIGHT with your indicator on as even if you are doing 150mph - you shouldn't even as a novice (as someone will be on you doing 200 within seconds).
Dorint and Lindner are the big commercail hotels but there are plenty of smaller enterprises that offer great value and a more personal experience. I have stayed at probably ten different places in Nurburg dependant on my budget and availability including Tiergarten, Zu Berg, Dorint and Lindner et cetera
I always drive the scenic route there and back. There via Huy (leaving the autobahn here) and on the way back to Liege on the B roads then autobahn.
I am sure you won't but please don't be doing doughnuts in front of the Lindner at night like some Brits do,
Good luck and report back.
Pip
Visit the viewing points and do a lap but read all the rules. On track stick to the RIGHT with your indicator on as even if you are doing 150mph - you shouldn't even as a novice (as someone will be on you doing 200 within seconds).
Dorint and Lindner are the big commercail hotels but there are plenty of smaller enterprises that offer great value and a more personal experience. I have stayed at probably ten different places in Nurburg dependant on my budget and availability including Tiergarten, Zu Berg, Dorint and Lindner et cetera
I always drive the scenic route there and back. There via Huy (leaving the autobahn here) and on the way back to Liege on the B roads then autobahn.
I am sure you won't but please don't be doing doughnuts in front of the Lindner at night like some Brits do,
Good luck and report back.
Pip
Book the I30N ring taxi in advance, about £100 and the best value for money experience you will get on the ring, eat in the cafe onsite it's ace.
https://eu.drivingexperience.hyundai.com/
https://eu.drivingexperience.hyundai.com/
Look to stay in Adenau which is the nearest town to the Ring, you may not be bothered if you are only there one or two nights but if you get an urge to go out and find a bar or go out for a meal with alcohol be aware that there is nothing really on Ring Boulevard apart from a couple of hotels so you need to drive everywhere. If you stay in Adenau and go for a drink most places are within walking distance.
If you plan to drive the track on a Saturday get there early as it soon becomes crazy busy on a weekend, which is good for spectating
If you plan to drive the track on a Saturday get there early as it soon becomes crazy busy on a weekend, which is good for spectating
I'm also planning on going over for the first time next year. The date I was planning (July 11-12) seems to have a weekend event on, a truck racing and exhibition on the GP circuit. Does anyone know if this will cause the 'Ring to be shut to tourists for the weekend?
I have emailed them to ask but not sure when/if I'll get a response.
I have emailed them to ask but not sure when/if I'll get a response.
There will be a detailed calendar released in the new year usually, it will detail closed days, manufacturer days. My advice go for a few days and go in the evenings, dont do weekends and especially dont do UK or German bank holidays and remember some of them in Europe are mid week like Holland and the like.
Join some Facebook or the like groups and get involved in the chat, ignore the pillocks, the real people will simply give you advice, everyone has to start somewhere.
And yes, it is as good as you think, not just being on track, but the place, the area it is all very special especially at night
Join some Facebook or the like groups and get involved in the chat, ignore the pillocks, the real people will simply give you advice, everyone has to start somewhere.
And yes, it is as good as you think, not just being on track, but the place, the area it is all very special especially at night
I agree on the suggestion of going mid week for the evening sessions on your first visit. Less queues, track is less busy (you'll be grateful!) but it will still have plenty of cool machinery to drool over at the track and in the area. Also agree three days from Cornwall is very tight, you don't want to be half asleep at the Ring!
On our next visit we'll head to the Ring for the week and just sit back and watch the craziness from a distance at the weekend. It still is one of the greatest petrolhead trips you can make but DO go there being very aware of the risks and making the others in the group aware too. You aren't insured at the Ring and you can be open to liability to both the circuit and others if things go very wrong (and they do). We thought this was something that happened to other people or only existed in Youtube videos, but 2024 was the year we discovered that the unthinkable can happen to anyone, even when driving very carefully and within all the rules. Still be going again in 2025 though
It's that epic/iconic.
On our next visit we'll head to the Ring for the week and just sit back and watch the craziness from a distance at the weekend. It still is one of the greatest petrolhead trips you can make but DO go there being very aware of the risks and making the others in the group aware too. You aren't insured at the Ring and you can be open to liability to both the circuit and others if things go very wrong (and they do). We thought this was something that happened to other people or only existed in Youtube videos, but 2024 was the year we discovered that the unthinkable can happen to anyone, even when driving very carefully and within all the rules. Still be going again in 2025 though
It's that epic/iconic.If you are driving in Germany during winter, you need winter tyres (marked with the snowflake or "M+S" symbol) when conditions are snowy, icy, or wet from frost....check the weather forecast before you set off.
Failing to use suitable tyres in winter conditions could lead to fines and insurance issues if you are involved in an accident.
Failing to use suitable tyres in winter conditions could lead to fines and insurance issues if you are involved in an accident.
Thanks for all the input, all very helpful.
Whilst the destination is the Ring, we want to make it more about the journey, we might not even drive the ring when we get there (we’re all a bit precious about our cars TBH!)
Plan so far is to drive:
Day 1: Cornwall to Dunkirk (via the eurotunnel!)
Day 2: Dunkirk to Adaneu
Day 3: Ring in the morning, drive to Bruges
Day 4: Bruges back to Cornwall
That gives us 3 nights away, each in a different place where we can see some culture/eat/drink/get a decent Air B&B and have a laugh.
Whilst the destination is the Ring, we want to make it more about the journey, we might not even drive the ring when we get there (we’re all a bit precious about our cars TBH!)
Plan so far is to drive:
Day 1: Cornwall to Dunkirk (via the eurotunnel!)
Day 2: Dunkirk to Adaneu
Day 3: Ring in the morning, drive to Bruges
Day 4: Bruges back to Cornwall
That gives us 3 nights away, each in a different place where we can see some culture/eat/drink/get a decent Air B&B and have a laugh.
Went to the Ring for the first time this year with my son, quite a thread on it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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