Hertz and the Nurburgring

[hairykrishna]

I'm in Germany next week and I'm not far from the 'ring. I quite fancy a lap or two but I'll be in a rental car. I've heard that Hertz tend to ban people from ever renting their cars again if they find out...but this doesn't bother me; I don't really like Hertz anyway! Are they likely to accompany the ban with a hefty 'fine'?
I know I could rent a proper 'ring machine but 300+ euros when I'm only realistically going to be able to do one or two laps is a little steep.

[lost in espace]

Insurance and recovery costs? Thats what I would be worried about although if you rent a track car you will have a huge excess anyway. 99% chance you would be fine though.

http://www.rent-racecar.de/gb/preise2007.html

[Zod]

I did it six years ago in a 525d Touring of all things (quite an experience as I tried to carry ( a bit of) speed into long corners to combat it's terrible acceleration - it squealed all the way round). Perhaps they've tightened up since.

[KB_S1]

The biggest worry would be if you had a coming together with another vehicle.
If Hertz have specifically stated that you are not to take the car on to the ring' then I doubt they would provide much support in terms of legal or insurance.

[davepoth]

Take some fake plates with you for the 'ring.

[K50 DEL]

Dooshbag said:

rent4ring ?

seconded, speak to Fredy there (speaks English)

They do a cracking deal on a half day hire of a stage 2 Suzuki Swift.

Well recommended, and not expensive at all given it's fully prepped.

[MitchT]

It's a rental car, everywhere is "The Ring"

[peterperkins]

Presumably you won't be insured either as it is specifically excluded / banned under there TC's.

They can rape your credit card as has been pointed out.

Plus it's just not on really, is it, if someone completely ignored/disregarded your terms for a service/rental you provided how happy would you be?

[HereBeMonsters]

Don't do it - I was there in a rental car recently, as my ultra-reliable French hatchback broke down on the way. Was never tempted to take it on track, but I did notice the car (with Hertz plate on view) being snapped by official looking people.

[plg101]

K50 DEL said:

Dooshbag said:

rent4ring ?

seconded, speak to Fredy there (speaks English)

They do a cracking deal on a half day hire of a stage 2 Suzuki Swift.

Well recommended, and not expensive at all given it's fully prepped.

http://www.rent4ring.de/index.php?id=5&no_cache=1&L=1

blimey. very reasonable...

[TubbyRutter]

HereBeMonsters said:

Don't do it - I was there in a rental car recently, as my ultra-reliable French hatchback broke down on the way. Was never tempted to take it on track, but I did notice the car (with Hertz plate on view) being snapped by official looking people.

Are you my twin? Same thing happened to me at the begining of the month!

[_rubinho_]

Me and a colleague did a few laps in our Avis (1.2 Corsa) car last year. We got papped by one of the 'ring photographers and the pictures ended up on a website faces, reg plate and all. Nothing happened when we dropped the car off. Our mates had a Hertz car and exactly the same. We checked the documentation thoroughly and nothing specifically prohibited the 'ring. Afterall it's just a one-way toll road not a race track.

If you don't want to crash, keep right, look in your mirrors for the quick guys and don't time it!

[KaraK]

I remember being there a couple of years ago and there was a rental Polo there - ite even had big stickers advertising 21 euros a day on it blah blah. It just kept doing lap after lap - man were they ever in for a raping if they got caught!

[Great Pretender]

MitchT said:

It's a rental car, everywhere is "The Ring"

[bazking69]

Not worth the risk. The imnplications and potential bill if you smash the car up doesn't bear thinking about...

[Muzzlehatch]

hairykrishna said:

I've heard that Hertz tend to ban people from ever renting their cars again if they find out...but this doesn't bother me; I don't really like Hertz anyway! Are they likely to accompany the ban with a hefty 'fine'?

This happened to a friend of mine when hired a Hertz car personally and did some laps. He received a letter, no fine, just a lifetime ban on using Hertz worldwide. He's not sure if they have people checking the photo sites for numberplates, or if they have spotters at the circuit.

Over the years I've used Hertz, Sixt, Avis and Europcar may times at the ring without consequence. I've been happy to pay for the extra wear-and-tear such as tyres, pads, etc, but I've never received a bill. There's nothing faster round there than a 4-up Opel Meriva. It's easily flat out all the way from Hatzenbach to Aremberg.

[hairykrishna]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm still tempted; I'll see what I feel like when I'm over there.

I realise the insurance wouldn't cover it but, as I understand it, this is the case with the vast majority of personally owned cars that take to the ring. If I write off some chaps new 911 one Suzuki swift more or less won't make much difference! If I do a lap I'll be cruising round rather than trying to hammer in a quick one anyway so hopefully I'll keep it out of the armco.

[Don]

Really. Do not do this. Even if you mean no harm and planned on going round like you had Miss Daisy in the back it's not worth the potential consequences.

Rent a car for the purpose. Pricey or not it's the right thing to do...

[neil_bolton]

Didn't somebody on PH do this in a TT that they stuffed into the gravel or mud or something at the ring and posted up a pic, but then got busted hugely by the rental company because of it?

[hairykrishna]

Did a couple of laps, no harm done, good fun. No letter as yet...