Any Nurburgring experiences?
Discussion
I'm planning a European jaunt in my 500 Chimaera in the middle of April, hoping to visit ferrari, lamborgini, Ducatti and Pagini. 
To end it all I'm looking at driving the 'ring' on the way back, I've checked the web site and they're open all day on 18th April.
I haven't driven the 'ring' before does anyone have any recommendations for accomodation locally and comments about driving the track itself?
thanks
Tim
To end it all I'm looking at driving the 'ring' on the way back, I've checked the web site and they're open all day on 18th April.
I haven't driven the 'ring' before does anyone have any recommendations for accomodation locally and comments about driving the track itself?
thanks
Tim
You should be able to find everything you need to know by looking at Ben Lovejoy's site:
www.nurburgring.org.uk
I'd recommend taking one or two passenger laps before driving it yourself. Oh and keep right, overtake on the left.
I normally stay at a this place 20 minutes from the Ring.
www.slidersguesthouse.com
If you are only spending one night though you may want to stay more locally to Nurburg.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 3rd March 11:51
www.nurburgring.org.uk
I'd recommend taking one or two passenger laps before driving it yourself. Oh and keep right, overtake on the left.
I normally stay at a this place 20 minutes from the Ring.
www.slidersguesthouse.com
If you are only spending one night though you may want to stay more locally to Nurburg.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 3rd March 11:51
I can second Daz's recommendations for Bens site and Sliders guesthouse (run by a Brit biker).
Weekends do tend to get very busy, but at least you're planning the weekend after Easter.
Not sure about pax laps - depends on who you lap with! It takes *many* laps to remember it all properly, so just take it steady anyway.
The first time I went I managed to enter at the Adenau entrance and had to fight it out with bikers coming down the straight at a zillion mph - not exactly a gentle intro!
Weekends do tend to get very busy, but at least you're planning the weekend after Easter.
Not sure about pax laps - depends on who you lap with! It takes *many* laps to remember it all properly, so just take it steady anyway.
The first time I went I managed to enter at the Adenau entrance and had to fight it out with bikers coming down the straight at a zillion mph - not exactly a gentle intro!
its fun pushing the bikers out of the way...
they can't corner very fast due to opposing cambers, if the cross the apex they disappear into the hedge/armco...not nice!
any dampnes...theres lots...and they'll be doing 2mph with both feet on the ground!
Weather changes DURING THE LAP!! i've started in sunshine, gone thru fog into gulleys of rainwater and returned to sunshine!
I'M NOT KIDDING!
as for the chimp, start early and drive round at your own pace, other (faster) cars are very wary and give you the space you need...generally. there's lotsof beginners so you won't be alone. hav a chat in th paddock to the other brits (they'll be loads) and go with them.
get a 5 lap ticket and do all in the day, but don't think about being fast, I've done over 100 laps and i'm just about sorted for the first 6-7km
as an idea, halfords do a dvd called "Porsche the legendary cars". it has a full lap in a GT3 which will give you an idea, he does it in about 9mins (not trying) you'll do it in about 12.5! and you'll be knackered.
best track in th world...can't last forever, do it now while you can!
they can't corner very fast due to opposing cambers, if the cross the apex they disappear into the hedge/armco...not nice!
any dampnes...theres lots...and they'll be doing 2mph with both feet on the ground!
Weather changes DURING THE LAP!! i've started in sunshine, gone thru fog into gulleys of rainwater and returned to sunshine!
I'M NOT KIDDING!
as for the chimp, start early and drive round at your own pace, other (faster) cars are very wary and give you the space you need...generally. there's lotsof beginners so you won't be alone. hav a chat in th paddock to the other brits (they'll be loads) and go with them.
get a 5 lap ticket and do all in the day, but don't think about being fast, I've done over 100 laps and i'm just about sorted for the first 6-7km
as an idea, halfords do a dvd called "Porsche the legendary cars". it has a full lap in a GT3 which will give you an idea, he does it in about 9mins (not trying) you'll do it in about 12.5! and you'll be knackered.
best track in th world...can't last forever, do it now while you can!
I am flying over that weekend to watch the 4 hour VLN race on the Saturday. However it would be rude not to have a few beer in the evening and show my car rental at least a few laps on the Sunday
The track will not be too busy, so no worries there.
I have been a fair few times, so if you would like some pointers and some one to show you around, then send me a mail via my profile.
Dave
The track will not be too busy, so no worries there.
I have been a fair few times, so if you would like some pointers and some one to show you around, then send me a mail via my profile.
Dave
Oh yeah, I didn't find getting accomodation to difficult.
You could do worse than stay here.
www.nuerburgring-hotel.de/Hotel_Zur_Burg/hotel_zur_burg1.html
Dave
You could do worse than stay here.
www.nuerburgring-hotel.de/Hotel_Zur_Burg/hotel_zur_burg1.html
Dave
Am-Tiergarten
500m from gate, under the castle...
book early!
+49 (0)2691 / 92200
www.am-tiergarten.de
500m from gate, under the castle...
book early!
+49 (0)2691 / 92200
www.am-tiergarten.de
Another good video to get a feel for the track is Faszination at the Nurburgring, made by RUF cars and feature their legendary car the C2 and their white sock moustached test driver (name escapes) driving side ways around ever corner of the lap at extraordinary speeds......
Brilliant.
Brilliant.
following on from Guillotine's comment (made in jest hopefully) - please give the bikes a bit of respect and make sure they've seen you in their mirrors. It's a lot harder to alter a line on a damp track on a bike than it is on a car and a slide is a LOT harder to save. Respect for both the track and other drivers/riders is the order of the day. Don't be surprised if you cut someone up to have an 'altercation' in the car park when you get back. You may scratch your car if you have an accident - but you could kill a rider.
Remember, the local lads in the Kaddetts/Golfs are faster than the british TVR/porsche boys (SFV excluded!)
I think the RUF yellow bird driver is Stefan Roser?
>> Edited by fergus on Thursday 4th March 11:20
Remember, the local lads in the Kaddetts/Golfs are faster than the british TVR/porsche boys (SFV excluded!)
I think the RUF yellow bird driver is Stefan Roser?
>> Edited by fergus on Thursday 4th March 11:20
'In Car 956' also has a full onboard lap, with Derek Bell in a Porsche 956 Group C car. The lap is 6 minutes 45 seconds I think 
I've done one lap of the 'Ring in real life, as a passenger in my Dad's Mondeo. I've done hundreds of computer laps in GPL and SCGT, so I know the place pretty well. Awesome place, every petrolhead should go there at least once
I've done one lap of the 'Ring in real life, as a passenger in my Dad's Mondeo. I've done hundreds of computer laps in GPL and SCGT, so I know the place pretty well. Awesome place, every petrolhead should go there at least onceIf you buy a 6 or 12 lap ticket you can return within year to use up any unused laps and be warned its addictive and you will prob want to go back
On the day if you can get on track at 0800 get there
It may be damp so be wary but fewer cars and bikes then so you may get an hour or less before track more crowded
Same in evening - stay around to last hour or two and crowds wil reduce and if dry weather then track should be in good condition for decent laps
When you do go out try to do 2 or 3 laps in a row to help with remembering and enjoying track. It also gives you a string of laps when tracktime may be interupted during the day by closures due to 'incidents'
Its a great place but dangerous partic if over confident so steady pace, watch mirrors and move to right promptly to be overtaken after indicating right that you have seen approaching car/bike
Many corners are late turn in so usual slower in faster out to avoid panic braking and that armco moment!
If you can stay over on Monday or part of it for quieter laps - open 1300-1930
As it is week after Easter crowds may be less but its the only day open that w/e so perhaps more of a crowd will turn up
I am there for long Easter w/e for four and a half days of laps - heaven!
Have fun
Chris
On the day if you can get on track at 0800 get there
It may be damp so be wary but fewer cars and bikes then so you may get an hour or less before track more crowded
Same in evening - stay around to last hour or two and crowds wil reduce and if dry weather then track should be in good condition for decent laps
When you do go out try to do 2 or 3 laps in a row to help with remembering and enjoying track. It also gives you a string of laps when tracktime may be interupted during the day by closures due to 'incidents'
Its a great place but dangerous partic if over confident so steady pace, watch mirrors and move to right promptly to be overtaken after indicating right that you have seen approaching car/bike
Many corners are late turn in so usual slower in faster out to avoid panic braking and that armco moment!
If you can stay over on Monday or part of it for quieter laps - open 1300-1930
As it is week after Easter crowds may be less but its the only day open that w/e so perhaps more of a crowd will turn up
I am there for long Easter w/e for four and a half days of laps - heaven!
Have fun
Chris
davyboy said:
You could do worse than stay here.
www.nuerburgring-hotel.de/Hotel_Zur_Burg/hotel_zur_burg1.html
Dave
I'll second that although Frau whatsherface wasn't to happy when we staggered back at 6am and tried to force the electric front doors open, we forgot about the side door...
Nice clean place, minutes from the Ring car park and walking distance from Sabines bar, where they do the best steaks
Try this site it says more than I can do in words.
http://homepage.mac.com/benlovering/iMovieTheater17.html
http://homepage.mac.com/benlovering/iMovieTheater17.html
Guillotine said:
its fun pushing the bikers out of the way...
best track in th world...can't last forever, do it now while you can!
Remind me to punch you if I ever meet you. Lost friends here to people with an attitude like that.
But I agree with the second part.
>> Edited by R1_NUR on Monday 8th March 15:46
R1_NUR said:
Remind me to punch you if I ever meet you. Lost friends here to people with an attitude like that.
I'll be second in the queue to deliver an 18 stone battering to the tool in the tiv. Please show some respect for the riders on mixed tracks. They often have far more ability than the 'all the gear - no idea' car drivers.
PS I do own/race both.
Guillotine said:
its fun pushing the bikers out of the way...
they can't corner very fast due to opposing cambers, if they cross the apex they disappear into the hedge/armco...not nice!
I read this as a warning to newbies that they will find bikes can't corner as fast as they can in cars. He then goes onto explain other cornering problems which bikes suffer worse than car drivers. A very relevant warning to car drivers. He is not advocating pushing bikers into the armco, more warning against finding yourself doing it.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Monday 8th March 17:19
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