Nurburgring 24h detailed advice
Nurburgring 24h detailed advice
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Discussion

danpollard

Original Poster:

31 posts

236 months

Friday 13th December 2013
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Hello you wonderful bunch of knowledgeable people!

I've been trying very hard for the past few days to get as much information as I can on the 24h at the 'ring, but it seems information is relatively thin on the ground, in comparison to Le Mans. I've read loads of comments saying that it's better than Le Mans (which I've been to many times), so am trying to decide between them for next year.

Things I'm trying to work out... Bear in mind I'm planning to go with my Dad for his 60th birthday (just the two of us) as a chance for us to do something on our own (and reminiscent of Le Mans from my teenage years). We'd probably be going Weds-Mon or something similar.

Camping - it seems this falls into two groups - the main F1 circuit area, and some isolated points around the track. It sounds like this is very different to Le Mans. Is it fair to say the 'ring is quite a bit more 'lively' than Le Mans. We definitely wouldn't want a quiet campsite, but I am a bit put off by the 4am tub-thumping music all night to be honest. If we're talking anything similar to Le Mans, this is no problem - I can't gauge the comparison. With mates I'd have a bit of a different view...! The camping is half the fun to me, so I'm not overly keen on doing it B&B. I also take it the facilities aren't at Le Mans level yet either?

Getting around the circuit during the race - Can you drive around on the access roads within the circuit, or is it all walking? Can you get from outside to in and vice versa. Is it fair to say it's about 2hrs walk from one side to the other? Is it just the access roads you see on the detailed maps, or are there loads of walkways as well. I'd be well up for a bit of clambering through the forest (ala the old days of dodging French guards on the Mulsanne) to see something "unique", but don't know how hard to navigate this would be. Can you rent bikes, and is this a good plan?

Sorry for the lengthy message - hopefully there's a fountain of knowledge out there to be shared!!

majordad

3,629 posts

219 months

Sunday 15th December 2013
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Have a search here , I did a post or two on this some years ago. Lots of info.

Stay in a hotel/B&B in a nearby village. Leave camping for the mad young locals.

Yes , your general entry ticket is access most areas.
Walk around and mostly drive to say Adeneau, Hohe Acht etc.


Wayoftheflower

1,534 posts

257 months

Sunday 22nd December 2013
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Been wanting to go this event for years. When about do ride share groups start to come together? Not keen on taking my old banger all the way.

V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Monday 23rd December 2013
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I've got an advice blog running here:

http://ring24.wordpress.com

It's not the complete picture yet; I add stuff every few weeks or so to keep the momentum slowly ticking over during the winter, but there's a load of stuff there already.

If you sign up to the blog, you'll get automatic notifications every time I add something (don't worry; you won't hear from me otherwise)

danpollard

Original Poster:

31 posts

236 months

Monday 23rd December 2013
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V8mate - You'll be pleased to know that your search terms are clearly working - I've definitely already visited your site. I'll be interested to read your full review of Camping am Nurburgring - it does sound like that would be more likely to suit. What's it like if you turn up on the Wednesday/Thurs (I take it Thursday is the start of running??) - it sounds like a lot of the camping stuff gets well packed even on the Monday.

Anybody got advice on good B&Bs as an alternative? Also, is driving to spectate really an option - I'd guessed the roads inside the circuit must get rammed? My main concern is still with getting a camping pitch as late as Weds/Thurs from what I've read...

Majordad - thanks for the comment - when I ran searches before I really struggled to get results (I have no idea what I was doing differently to now!). A lot of useful info in there - if anyone else is having the same issues, see the links below...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=845...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=17&...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113...



V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Monday 23rd December 2013
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Camping am Nurburgring is awesome; but Majordad would hate it! smile

It's party central and really adds a whole lot more to simply camping at a 24hr race.


Aside, if Scooter conjurs something other than a form of transport into your mind, do drop me a PM, as we also have a Facebook group dedicated to a mix of dance music, cars, racing and 'the usual bks'.

It's a closed group though; hence the need for a PM with your real name, so I can send an invite smile

Edited by V8mate on Monday 23 December 22:09

Wayoftheflower

1,534 posts

257 months

Tuesday 24th December 2013
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V8mate said:
I've got an advice blog running here:

http://ring24.wordpress.com

It's not the complete picture yet; I add stuff every few weeks or so to keep the momentum slowly ticking over during the winter, but there's a load of stuff there already.

If you sign up to the blog, you'll get automatic notifications every time I add something (don't worry; you won't hear from me otherwise)
Subscribed to your blog.

Anyone used these people as an easy one stop option?
http://www.traveldestinations.co.uk/motorsport-eve...



V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Tuesday 24th December 2013
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Wayoftheflower said:
Subscribed to your blog.

Anyone used these people as an easy one stop option?
http://www.traveldestinations.co.uk/motorsport-eve...

Unless, I guess, you're planning on turning up really late in the proceedings, and want to guarantee yourself a bit of space for your tent, there isn't really the need to use an agent for the N24. It's not as regimented an event for attendees as, say, the LM24 is.

noddynitro

174 posts

240 months

Wednesday 25th December 2013
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WALK...........
Best way to see the 24hr, not only will you see the race from so many great bits of the circuit but you will also get to see all the campsites and the mad people in them. It's so much better than LeMans :-)

Wayoftheflower

1,534 posts

257 months

Wednesday 25th December 2013
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V8mate said:
Unless, I guess, you're planning on turning up really late in the proceedings, and want to guarantee yourself a bit of space for your tent, there isn't really the need to use an agent for the N24. It's not as regimented an event for attendees as, say, the LM24 is.
Fair enough, just looking at the most cautious option first thing. Definitely think I'm up for camping rather than hotel (I've camped at Bathurst which was awesome, never been to LeMans)

Wha'st the best balance you think between catching some on the support races and being stuck out in the German Forest too long?

Are the campsite facilities good/bad? I don't mind getting filthy hiking around the Eifel as long as there's the option of an hot shower every so often....

V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Wednesday 25th December 2013
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I'll get the campsite article written over the Christmas hols and it'll answer all those questions and more.

You can't spend too long in those wonderful forests though biggrin

AndrewMelley

21 posts

151 months

Sunday 29th December 2013
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If it helps the Travel Destinations Section within Camping am Nurburgring offers guaranteed plots 7x5 Sqm in a great location with on-site help and advice. I have many years of experience of N24 and am happy to help with any questions, just fire away any time. My best advice for the the first timer is use camping am Nurburgring rather than camping in the Wild West of the Nordschliefe, whilst safe it can be a bit intimidating for the first timer. CaN offers good security, good quality purpose built showers and loos and it's adjacent to the southern end of the circuit just 10/15 mins walk to the grandstands and paddock. It's a brilliant race and great fun fun complete contrast to LM24 if your looking for a change to LM24 give it a go you won't regret it

V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Tuesday 31st December 2013
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V8mate said:
I've got an advice blog running here:

http://ring24.wordpress.com

It's not the complete picture yet; I add stuff every few weeks or so to keep the momentum slowly ticking over during the winter, but there's a load of stuff there already.

If you sign up to the blog, you'll get automatic notifications every time I add something (don't worry; you won't hear from me otherwise)
For those who haven't signed up for the automatic notifications, I've added a couple of articles about the camp site smile

Wayoftheflower

1,534 posts

257 months

Tuesday 31st December 2013
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Good stuff V8mate, appreciate the info a lot!

Bargenosenti

192 posts

161 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Great blog, very informative. Seems pretty relaxed in terms of organisation, you can turn up and pay on the day in the most part? Awesome

Am I right in thinking the main costs would be:

Beer(s)
BBQ and food stuff
Tent + camping stuff
Ferry / Tunnel return to France
Petrol
Camp site 13 euro per day
Weekend pass ticket 2-4 days

Anyone planning a jaunt from London to convoy? giving it some serious thought as I can't make LM2014 the weekend before

V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Yep - no upfront costs for the event itself. Just a Channel crossing ticket to book.

I'll probably be leaving late Sunday evening this year; do a big 'shop' just outside Aachen or Cologne (depending on the route we take) and then arrive at the site around 10am on the Monday morning to start claiming some space for others arriving during in the week.

Bargenosenti

192 posts

161 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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One question, apologies if I've missed in the blog, what was the 2013 prices for the 2,3,4 day passes? Seems they haven't released the 2014 costs, but good to know a ball park.

Cheers

V8mate

45,899 posts

211 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
quotequote all
IIRC, it was 65Euros for a four-day pass. So about £60 last year and a bit less this year as the Euro is a on a nice slow slide smile

Not a great expense really, and it gets you 'access all areas', pit lanes etc.

Bargenosenti

192 posts

161 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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that's great thanks. Spreadsheet created smile


danpollard

Original Poster:

31 posts

236 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
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Excellent update V8 - thanks very much!