First Nurburgring trip this year?

[Jumpingjackflash]

Good Morning,

I have been saying for years now that I will go to the Green Hell but I keep putting it off. I am self employed and getting time off is hard. I have promised myself I will go this year. What is the best way to go? Is there a good website to use? Is it better to go during the week etc etc?

cheers.

[RDMcG]

Try bridgetogantry.com. Dale who writes it is a mine of information

[baronbennyt]

After 10 years visiting the Ring, I can only endorse signing up with a professional and experienced track day club such as Destination Nurburgring, Circuit Days or RSR. Tourist days have become an absolute (and dangerous) lottery in my experience.

[rex]

Which insurance do you all use. I have no problem getting insurance for the track day itself but my road insurance will be cancelled if my car goes on the ring even if I have separate insurance for the track day part of the trip. I am with REIS and had a long conversation with them about it.

[griff7]

Jumpingjackflash said:

Good Morning,

I have been saying for years now that I will go to the Green Hell but I keep putting it off. I am self employed and getting time off is hard. I have promised myself I will go this year. What is the best way to go? Is there a good website to use? Is it better to go during the week etc etc?

cheers.

Make sure you book your accommodation early as things get booked up really early and tunnel crossings are normally cheaper the earlier you book.Have a good read of the track rules and stick to them and you should be fine and just treat it with the utmost respect especially on your first trip and try not to get obsessed with any timing just enjoy it.

Andy

[Helical]

Jumpingjackflash said:

Good Morning,

I have been saying for years now that I will go to the Green Hell but I keep putting it off. I am self employed and getting time off is hard. I have promised myself I will go this year. What is the best way to go? Is there a good website to use? Is it better to go during the week etc etc?

cheers.

I've been 5 or 6 times now, and always during tourist (touristenfahrten) days rather private track days, simply as I couldn't stretch to a Destination Nurburgring or similar. It has got busier and busier in the years I've been, and with that comes busier car parks, more closures and more demand on accommodation.

And inevitably, a higher risk of incident. There is the full spectrum of driving ability represented on the track at any one time, in/on cars and bikes - and that blend doesn't always make for an ideal cocktail, so you should go with your eyes open and aware of the inherent risks to you, your car and your wallet.

But you should definitely go!

Yes its busy - especially over those weekends that the circuit is open sat-mon. Annoying, as those are the very weekends that make the pilgrimage over there feel a little more justifiable. But its also a huge circuit, so even on the busiest days its not bumper to bumper all the way around.

Your available time might prohibit this, but I’d suggest heading over on a weekday where the circuit is open in the evenings, to give you a 1 or 2 quieter evenings to get a few laps in, before mingling with the masses over the weekend.

I’d look for accommodation a little way outside the main hub of the nurburgring. A) this will hopefully not be so booked, but also give your car a chance to warm up so you’re not getting into the car and straight onto the circuit and giving it all the berries straight out the gate.

Once on the circuit, just go at your own pace. There will be quicker people, there will be slower people. Just try to be patient with both I’ll you’ll be fine. Don’t let the GT3RS filling your mirror bully you out the way mid corner and unsettle your own car. Don’t take unnecessary risks passing a slower car. I’d never do more than 2 laps at any one time, but I guess that depends what you’re driving and how well setup up it is for sustained punishment.

But above all, go and enjoy yourself! Its an amazing place to visit if you like cars, both on and off the track. The kind’ve car that would turn your head at home, is common place there. In the evenings heading out for dinner, its more unusual to see a car not suited to a circuit that one geared up for it, so even if you’re not getting the laps in, there’s plenty to keep your interest peaked.

- edit -

I've been over using the tunnel and ferries. Goes without saying the tunnel is quicker (though I've suffered more delays this way) but if you're getting on the road early, the ferry does offer a dirty fry up and a leg stretch. Calais is a quicker crossing, Dunkirk dumps you a little further east so a little fewer road miles

Edited by Helical on Monday 27th March 14:22

[baronbennyt]

Helical said:

I've been 5 or 6 times now, and always during tourist (touristenfahrten) days rather private track days, simply as I couldn't stretch to a Destination Nurburgring or similar. It has got busier and busier in the years I've been, and with that comes busier car parks, more closures and more demand on accommodation.

And inevitably, a higher risk of incident. There is the full spectrum of driving ability represented on the track at any one time, in/on cars and bikes - and that blend doesn't always make for an ideal cocktail, so you should go with your eyes open and aware of the inherent risks to you, your car and your wallet.

But you should definitely go!

Yes its busy - especially over those weekends that the circuit is open sat-mon. Annoying, as those are the very weekends that make the pilgrimage over there feel a little more justifiable. But its also a huge circuit, so even on the busiest days its not bumper to bumper all the way around.

Your available time might prohibit this, but I’d suggest heading over on a weekday where the circuit is open in the evenings, to give you a 1 or 2 quieter evenings to get a few laps in, before mingling with the masses over the weekend.

I’d look for accommodation a little way outside the main hub of the nurburgring. A) this will hopefully not be so booked, but also give your car a chance to warm up so you’re not getting into the car and straight onto the circuit and giving it all the berries straight out the gate.

Once on the circuit, just go at your own pace. There will be quicker people, there will be slower people. Just try to be patient with both I’ll you’ll be fine. Don’t let the GT3RS filling your mirror bully you out the way mid corner and unsettle your own car. Don’t take unnecessary risks passing a slower car. I’d never do more than 2 laps at any one time, but I guess that depends what you’re driving and how well setup up it is for sustained punishment.

But above all, go and enjoy yourself! Its an amazing place to visit if you like cars, both on and off the track. The kind’ve car that would turn your head at home, is common place there. In the evenings heading out for dinner, its more unusual to see a car not suited to a circuit that one geared up for it, so even if you’re not getting the laps in, there’s plenty to keep your interest peaked.

- edit -

I've been over using the tunnel and ferries. Goes without saying the tunnel is quicker (though I've suffered more delays this way) but if you're getting on the road early, the ferry does offer a dirty fry up and a leg stretch. Calais is a quicker crossing, Dunkirk dumps you a little further east so a little fewer road miles

Edited by Helical on Monday 27th March 14:22

Spot on.

[ukkid35]

My first trip to the Ring was in 2006, and at the end of the trip I did one last lap and became a member of the Bongard Club



I was actually driven to a cashpoint so that I could cough up the €250 required. At the time that was my entire cushion, so things did get interesting from then on.

I've been back every year since, and from 2011 I've been doing DN events (as well as the occasional sneaky TF lap)

I urge you not to go. You will find it insanely addictive, it will take over your life, and will turn you in to a Green Hell Bore - believe me I know!

[ecain63]

Holy thread revival Batman......

I'm off to the ring next month for my first visit. Handy advice above

[doogalman]

Consider getting an instructor, even if just for half an hour. I am one and have two guest rooms 15/20 min south of the track.

[ecain63]

doogalman said:

Consider getting an instructor, even if just for half an hour. I am one and have two guest rooms 15/20 min south of the track.

I am considering an instructor if my ring experience (lol) mate doesn't come.

Pm me your details etc and I'll keep you in mind

[Kev_Mk3]

ecain63 said:

I am considering an instructor if my ring experience (lol) mate doesn't come.

Pm me your details etc and I'll keep you in mind

instruction is the best thing you can do IMO