Planning a trip to the Nurburgring Tips & Recommendations

[Jibberingloon]

Well myself and 3 friends are planning a trip to the Ring end of October.Hopefully taking a nice 60mpg Diesel Bora or Leon under the tunnel and to the ring

And looking at rent some cars rather than taking our prode and joy's out on the track. Then planning another trip next year with our own motors.


Any recommendations / tips off who to rent the cars off?

Currently looking at www.rent-racecar.de


Thanks in advance


Mark

[Jibberingloon]

mickken said:

Don't eat yellow snow.....

Oh dear, is that all you have to offer.....


mickken <------- Brian the size of a pea!


People with useful info please reply

[James_N]

I think a lot of car hire companies have got wise to people going round the ring so if you do rent a car, dont stack it!

[Turbo5]

Have you considered the 75 experience http://www.75experience.co.uk/ I always spot them at the ring

[Hammerwerfer]

I teach with the 75 Experience. If you want to come to terms with the 'ring quickly and in a cost effective manner, we can't be beat. The cars look a bit ropey, but they are well set up and quite nimble.

If you already know your way around, Rent-racecar offerings are hard to beat. Something for everyone there, and Theo is a great fellow to do business with.

Frank at Altes Forsthaus should have his Caterhams ready pretty soon as well.

Edited by Hammerwerfer on Thursday 23 August 08:12

[tertius]

See this thread for comments on rent-racecar.de - thoroughly recommended:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I also recommend the 75 experience - I also did this the same trip and the amount you learn is absolutely unbelievable - I "only" drove 10 laps and passengered 10, but by the time I came to the weekend and I was driving in the rent-racecar car I was amazed how "well" (this is a relative term you understand) I knew the circuit.

However, a word of caution, I would say that you probably get more out of the 75Experience if you are:

a) used to RWD cars; and b) at least a little bit experienced on a circuit (and ideally the 'ring)

(NB I've no idea if this relevant for you at all, but it was very relevant for one of the guys in our group as Hammerwerfer will attest ...

And while I'm at it, a few of my pics from the trip are here:

http://www.tertius.me.uk/pages/Nurburgring_Aug2007...

Edited to amend the link to pics.

Edited by tertius on Thursday 23 August 22:22

[Hammerwerfer]

tertius said:

See this thread for comments on rent-racecar.de - thoroughly recommended:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I also recommend the 75 experience - I also did this the same trip and the amount you learn is absolutely unbelievable - I "only" drove 10 laps and passengered 10, but by the time I came to the weekend and I was driving in the rent-racecar car I was amazed how "well" (this is a relative term you understand) I knew the circuit.

However, a word of caution, I would say that you probably get more out of the 75Experience if you are:

a) used to RWD cars; and b) at least a little bit experienced on a circuit (and ideally the 'ring)

(NB I've no idea if this relevant for you at all, but it was very relevant for one of the guys in our group as Hammerwerfer will attest ...

And while I'm at it, a few of my pics from the trip are here:

http://www.tertius.me.uk/Nurburgring_Aug07.html

I have to agree with Tertius, especially about having a bit of knowledge before tackling the 'ring. It is not a place to learn the basics.

[Steve Evil]

Quick thread-jack, we're doing the 75 Exp. on the 5th Sept, just wondering if there are any RHD cars in the fleet?

[tertius]

Steve Evil said:

Quick thread-jack, we're doing the 75 Exp. on the 5th Sept, just wondering if there are any RHD cars in the fleet?

Not that I saw, Hammerwerfer can confirm, but pretty sure they are all LHD. I really don't think that should be a problem for you, but then I drive LHD all the time, so ...

[Steve Evil]

Shouldn't be too hard for me or my brother to adapt no, got my girlfriend coming with us and it will be her first time out on any sort of track (brother and I have been to the ring a couple of times previously).

Hoping it won't take her too long to familiarise herself with that aspect, but it's throwing that into the mix along with listening to Ron's instructions and keeping an eye on your mirrors like a hawk.

[tertius]

Steve Evil said:

Shouldn't be too hard for me or my brother to adapt no, got my girlfriend coming with us and it will be her first time out on any sort of track (brother and I have been to the ring a couple of times previously).

Hoping it won't take her too long to familiarise herself with that aspect, but it's throwing that into the mix along with listening to Ron's instructions and keeping an eye on your mirrors like a hawk.

I think that will be very hard indeed, if you haven't been on track at all before - well ... see my post above ... one guy with us crashed a 75 pretty heavily (at least 10-12m of double height armco).

[Steve Evil]

I think the difference there is the guy part, I think it's natural for a bloke to push a bit harder than he should, where I think she is going to go at it with the 'b road you don't know' mentality rather than setting out to break any records.

[tertius]

Steve Evil said:

I think the difference there is the guy part, I think it's natural for a bloke to push a bit harder than he should, where I think she is going to go at it with the 'b road you don't know' mentality rather than setting out to break any records.

Hmm, maybe, there was an instructor in the car at the time ... the issue really was not knowing what to do when it went wrong.

[Steve Evil]

I've definitely taken the advice on board as I know how dangerous the place can be, but it's telling her enough for her to be careful, yet not wanting to put her off so much that it ruins her holiday and she doesn't want to do it.

[tertius]

Steve Evil said:

I've definitely taken the advice on board as I know how dangerous the place can be, but it's telling her enough for her to be careful, yet not wanting to put her off so much that it ruins her holiday and she doesn't want to do it.

I agree its a delicate balance. However, its a very unforgiving place to be learning to drive on a track. But the 75Experience guys are great, and you (and she) will doubtless learn a lot.


Edited to remove all the carriage returns.

Edited by tertius on Thursday 23 August 17:13

[Mark Benson]

Hammerwerfer said:

Frank at Altes Forsthaus should have his Caterhams ready pretty soon as well.

Frank's Golf was looking a bit sorry on Monday evening after it met the armco head on. The American chap who was responsible was a bit gutted too (and 2800 Euro less well off).

Friendly place to stay though

[Hammerwerfer]

tertius said:

Steve Evil said:

Quick thread-jack, we're doing the 75 Exp. on the 5th Sept, just wondering if there are any RHD cars in the fleet?

Not that I saw, Hammerwerfer can confirm, but pretty sure they are all LHD. I really don't think that should be a problem for you, but then I drive LHD all the time, so ...

All left hookers.

[handpaper]

Steve Evil said:

I think the difference there is the guy part, I think it's natural for a bloke to push a bit harder than he should, where I think she is going to go at it with the 'b road you don't know' mentality rather than setting out to break any records.

'b road you don't know' is probably the best attitude to take on your first 'Ring trip. It got me safe through my first trip last year, anyway

In addition to earlier comments, I would add that, if you're going to rent from Rent-Racecar.de, take a helmet with you . Rent-Racecar don't supply them, but they are a must in a caged car (as all Rent-Racecar's are).
If you don't own one, buy one. A proper motorsports car helmet is ideal, but a cheap motorcycle helmet is a very long way better than nothing, and probably good enough for one Armco encounter at least.