Nurburgring - 1st trip, advice needed

[tommy-c]

Ok forgive my ignorance, have tried the search but didnt get what i wanted.

So, me and a few mates were thinking of planning a trip to the nurburgring in the summer sometime.

I don't really know where to start with the planning, the major issue i cant get to grips with is finding out what days would be available for us to take our cars around the circuit. Obviously if we just turned up, it could be closed for racing/testing etc. Ive found this website in which the end of july looks good, 24/07 - 28/07. http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=72

Any basic information would be good on where to begin, i found a couple of good websites but no 1st person accounts on planning etc.

Thanks in advance[/url]

[Michel]

Hmm there's so much to think about..

First.. here's the official website where you can see the days & times that are available..
http://nuerburgring.gosign.de/index.php?id=361

Second.. here's a very nice website in your language, made by a true enthusiast : http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

Something very important :
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=d6p78B8ZEfg
and..
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HND1_lov_BI

Please watch those vids a few times..

[BenF]

There have been a number of trips that IMOC'ers have made - if you search back you'll find plenty of posts and advise.

One thing I'd say is if you can, find a weekend with a few weekday evenings either side open - the weekdays are much much quieter. Weekends and especially when there are events on at the Race circuit ( eg Old Timers GP weekend etc ) can be really very very busy, with the circuit being closed to recover cars / bikes as many as 4-5 times being possible, meaning very limited time on track.

If you do go at the weekend - First thing in the morning / last thing at night is the best time on track as it is the quietest.

Also - take it easy, and drive it with a lot of respect and at 8/10ths. I've seen a few very bad / probably fatal bike accidents there, and many cars which have Armco damage - its a circuit which is designed to be challenging for the drivers.

[tommy-c]

Ok thanks guys, looks like the trip might be pushed back to september now to wait for a friend to finish his build. Possibly from 13/09 to the following weekend, ive found out some of the days we might be there, there will be industry testing. I assume this is when manufacturers test their cars, is this something which might be quite interesting to watch?

Also, is threre any other tourist attractions nearby the ring, along with places to go out, nightclubs etc.

Its probably going to turn into a longer holiday hence asking about other things to see and do.

Thanks again

[Michel]

Ok thanks guys, looks like the trip might be pushed back to september now to wait for a friend to finish his build. Possibly from 13/09 to the following weekend, ive found out some of the days we might be there, there will be industry testing. I assume this is when manufacturers test their cars, is this something which might be quite interesting to watch?

Also, is threre any other tourist attractions nearby the ring, along with places to go out, nightclubs etc.

Its probably going to turn into a longer holiday hence asking about other things to see and do.

Thanks again

Watching the manufacturers test is nice.. but won't keep you entertained for multiple days haha.. I don't know if you like to walk but you could combine spectating with having a nice walk and enjoy nature a little bit too.. you can actually walk all around the Nordschleife but that takes a while.. you could walk to the Karussel for example.. by doing this you'll see some nice bits from the track and you can get pretty close to the track/cars.

As for tourist attractions, well they are building a completely new complex at the GP track.. but that won't be finished any time soon. There are some nice bars and restaurants in Adenau, Breidscheid.. but if you really want to go to a nightclub/disco or something and enjoy nightlife..you'll need to go to a bigger place like Koblenz, Köln, Düsseldorf.. so that kinda sucks.

[Bender Unit]

Just a quick one whats the average drive time to the ring from the Ferry?

I drove my car from Bristol to Brum and back and I almost gave myself brain damage in the process! Just wondering on how long the journey is so I can decide if I can take multiple hours worth of

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[Extubby]

A friend of my dads went a few years ago in his delimited m5 and got off the ferry late night and sat at more or less 150-160 all the way to the ring.

I think normal driving time is 5 hours. Corrct me if I am wrong. I am off there in may to watch the 24hr race but won't be able to go on the track

[BenF]

Beware - police in France and Belgium are a lot more strict nowadays than in the past - anything more than 10-15kmh over the limit and you'll attract "attention".

I know of one friend who was escorted to a cashpoint in Belgium by the traffic police to pay an on the spot fine

[Tiny]

Just a quick one whats the average drive time to the ring from the Ferry?

I drove my car from Bristol to Brum and back and I almost gave myself brain damage in the process! Just wondering on how long the journey is so I can decide if I can take multiple hours worth of

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Leave the wife and kids at home then

[Bender Unit]

A friend of my dads went a few years ago in his delimited m5 and got off the ferry late night and sat at more or less 150-160 all the way to the ring. I think normal driving time is 5 hours. Corrct me if I am wrong. I am off there in may to watch the 24hr race but won't be able to go on the track

Erm I drive a rubbish old AE86 – I can only dream of hitting such speeds! Looks like a 80mph crawl then! So factoring in the 3 bit hours to get to the ferry / tunnel from home. Oh dear!

Leave the wife and kids at home then

They do, I only have room for 1!

[Extubby]

I am off in May for the 24hr race
What sort of speeds can you get away with doing to the ring? Do you go on any unrestricted autobahn?

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[Lauren]

There is an indoor kart track at the Ring. It's quite a good laugh. £40 bought us 1 hour and 10 minutes worth of karting. All good fun.

There is also an impressive museum, but i couldn't find a translation in English for the exhibit's and story of the Ring, which was something of a shame.. Some very cool cars in there though.

You must go to Sabine's restaurant and have 'cow on a rock' which is basically a massive lump of raw steak that is on a hot plate which you cook yourself whilst you are eating it. Pricey but something you have to try.

In Breidscheid there is a great italian restaurant called Pinnochio's which does these huge pizzas.

Also there is Michael Shumachers Kart track in Kerpen which is on the way there/back... that is worth a good look I reckon.

We are hoping to have something of a mega trip this summer and spend 3 days or so at the Ring.

Another thing i should add is don't stay in Koblenz, it's just too far away. Get a hotel as close to the Ring as possible it just makes life and going out into town/meeting up with your mates a bit easier.

[Michel]

Lauren, the indoor kart and the museum and all that.. it's all gone. They're building something big though.. including rollercoaster etc.

[Tiny]

Lauren, the indoor kart and the museum and all that.. it's all gone. They're building something big though.. including rollercoaster etc.

The karting and the museum was awesome

[Lauren]

Lauren, the indoor kart and the museum and all that.. it's all gone. They're building something big though.. including rollercoaster etc.

Gutted!

Why would you want a rollercoaster instead of that?

[Lauren]

I am off in May for the 24hr race
What sort of speeds can you get away with doing to the ring? Do you go on any unrestricted autobahn?

Ad

IIRC there is a short bit which is unrestricted but you'll have to be eagle eyed to spot the signs.

Speedwise well generally if it's not too busy you'll get way with 140+ kmh no problem. depends what car you are in, but obviously like anywhere else you are taking your chances I guess. I tended to sit just under a 100mph last time I went in the beemer, not sure how comfortable that would be in the teg though.

I think you just have to weigh it up according to traffic, I will say though that lane discipline is much better in germany than it is the UK.

[Michel]

The average speed on the A4, A61 and the A1 is about 130-140km/u.. there are some restricted sectors where only 100km/u is allowed. You don't have to be afraid for camera's and things like that.. it never happens on these autobahns.. I've never seen a camera in the past 10 years or so lol. You better be careful on the B258 though.. that's the ermm.. what's the english name ? Countryroad lol ? B-road ? I don't know.. they do sometimes hide in the bushes there with speedguns.. many people have died on these roads around the Nordschleife.. actually more accidents happen on the roads surrounding the Nordschleife.. not on the track. So be aware. And if you take the route A61 - A1 - B258.. you'll drive past 1 permanent speed camera.. it's on a downhill.. so watch out.

[mk2too]

Sound advice in the above link,

We went at night, caught a 1am ferry, half the fun is the drive up there!

Few things i'd change would be staying in one of the hotels ring side; theres one on site i beleive now, we stayed in bad munstereifiel and the money saved wasnt really worth it!

and i'd go with decent tyres and brakes as my tyres melted and my brake fluid cooked! but thats a cheap first car, im sure your MR2 is well setup!

and a full service + tools (fire extinguisher) never know what can happen!

And err dont take a car with drum brakes, i went in my toyota paseo haha, how the germans laughed at the gantry! and how my front bads melted

But atleast mine came back in one peice, we saw 2 911's have bad accidents, 1 track closure and a bright green supra snap his rear axle!


Its an unforgetable trip though! im off this year again