Nurburgring advice please
Discussion
Myself and a friend (T350) with respective co-pilots are heading off to The Ring next Friday for a long weekend.
I think we've got all the paperwork and assorted tools/bits sorted, but was hoping the experienced Cerburgring people on here could lend us some last minute advice.
Aside from "take it easy for a few laps" what advice has anyone got ?
cheers
Mike
I think we've got all the paperwork and assorted tools/bits sorted, but was hoping the experienced Cerburgring people on here could lend us some last minute advice.
Aside from "take it easy for a few laps" what advice has anyone got ?
cheers
Mike
Well, I took the approach that I would drive it like a country road, where I knew nothing else was coming the other way! So I just drove at the speeds I was comfortable with and took particular care on the bends where there were spectators gathered!
Good to take a passenger - another pair of eyes and the chances are you will both remember different bits of the track which gets helpful the more laps you do.
As far as the Karroussel is concerned, I dropped down into it and twice I thought it was about to end and it didn't!
Also felt like it spat the car out at the end! Probably just my inexperience!Look out for the photographers who hang around as they might have a great picture of you driving! Worth checking their websites when you get back.
The roads in the area are all fantastic too!
Have a ball, it's very exciting and exhausting too! The concentration I found intense, but worth it because both me and the car came back from the Ring in one piece - and twice at that!
Get a passenger lap from someone who knows the circuit well, be cautious and steadily build up the speed... the place can and will bite if you take liberties, but if you're (relatively) sensible - its quite simply the greatest place on earth...
hands down my greatest driving experience ever - and I didnt even take the Cerb.
visit www.northloop.co.uk - and read through/ watch thier FAQ - superb site.
hands down my greatest driving experience ever - and I didnt even take the Cerb.
visit www.northloop.co.uk - and read through/ watch thier FAQ - superb site.
Edited by BCA on Thursday 8th May 23:25
Re prep for car - mine had just had a 12,000 mile service, so I had asked them to be thorough when checking over the car. We were very lucky that Dulford Automotive came with us as support crew, so great peace of mind.
Nothing - apart from the usual. I do carry a Fire Extinguisher - not paranoia, I just do.
Although I didn't do fast laps (
) I have to say the Cerbera was an inspiration, I was reminded that the car is so much more capable than me and it took the track in its very capable stride.
Don't forget to buy your trophy sticky for the Cerb!
And post to tell us what a fab time you have!
Nothing - apart from the usual. I do carry a Fire Extinguisher - not paranoia, I just do.
Although I didn't do fast laps (
) I have to say the Cerbera was an inspiration, I was reminded that the car is so much more capable than me and it took the track in its very capable stride. Don't forget to buy your trophy sticky for the Cerb!
And post to tell us what a fab time you have!
Probably teaching you grandma to suck eggs, but a few bits of paperwork that it's easy to forget:
- Green card (if you don't already have european cover on your insurance)
- European breakdown cover (in case you need to be recovered for somewhere *quite close* to that famous race track;))
- I've also taken travel insurance from the Post Office the last time I went it's only £15 aqnd would cover medical and repatriation expenses if anything really bad happened.
Apparently the noise rules have been tightened up (Ben Lovejoy's site even warns about excessively loud cars being confiscated by the police - although I've never actually heard of this happening), so make sure you've got you silencers/inserts with you.
Oh, and leave time on your return journey to stock up with fags and wine (rather than having to virtually VMax the cerb through france to make to boat, as I did last time)!!
- Green card (if you don't already have european cover on your insurance)
- European breakdown cover (in case you need to be recovered for somewhere *quite close* to that famous race track;))
- I've also taken travel insurance from the Post Office the last time I went it's only £15 aqnd would cover medical and repatriation expenses if anything really bad happened.
Apparently the noise rules have been tightened up (Ben Lovejoy's site even warns about excessively loud cars being confiscated by the police
- although I've never actually heard of this happening), so make sure you've got you silencers/inserts with you. Oh, and leave time on your return journey to stock up with fags and wine (rather than having to virtually VMax the cerb through france to make to boat, as I did last time)!!
I went in Feb and was worried I'd be pulled as my car is loud but if you don't go revving it in the car park and rumble up to the barrier quietly you should be fine. Having said that next time I'll prob take a pair of silencers just to be sure. You'll see loads of UK plates in the car park, so get chatting to someone and blag a ride round. I did and it helped a lot. Personaly I think I'll have to go round about 50 times before I'm confident I know what's comming up next, but I do have a memory like a fish.
(did I mention I went to the Ring in Feb)
(did I mention I went to the Ring in Feb)
Assuming your Cerb is actually road worthy then no speciific prep is required. The biggest problem you'll face is your right foot !
The Germans can get arsey about noise levels if there are a lot of peeps on the track. If they stop you, just wait 30 mins and try again or go to the other entry point in the track and you'll have no probs.
Beware of bikers (He says speaking as a biker too) they literally appear to have a death wish and you can never assume what they will do.
My own experience says don't even consider trying to remember where you are coz you'll end up tearing into your faviurite right-hander only to find that it's a leftie.
Tickets can be bought for single laps or in muliple books which are cheaper the more you buy. I'd go for a four lapper first, just to give you some idea of what you're letting yopurself in for. It'll also give the car a chance to cool down between laps.
Also be prepared for huge waits when they have to pick up destroyed vehicles/bodies from the trackside.
Above all, try and be cool both on and off the circuit. You'll enjoy your time far more.
Good Luck !
The Germans can get arsey about noise levels if there are a lot of peeps on the track. If they stop you, just wait 30 mins and try again or go to the other entry point in the track and you'll have no probs.
Beware of bikers (He says speaking as a biker too) they literally appear to have a death wish and you can never assume what they will do.
My own experience says don't even consider trying to remember where you are coz you'll end up tearing into your faviurite right-hander only to find that it's a leftie.
Tickets can be bought for single laps or in muliple books which are cheaper the more you buy. I'd go for a four lapper first, just to give you some idea of what you're letting yopurself in for. It'll also give the car a chance to cool down between laps.
Also be prepared for huge waits when they have to pick up destroyed vehicles/bodies from the trackside.
Above all, try and be cool both on and off the circuit. You'll enjoy your time far more.
Good Luck !
All
again, the excellent advice on here is much appreciated.
Track day silencers are sorted; tested the car without and it was (IIRC) 102DB so hoping to get close to the strict 95db's that on Ben's site.
Car serviced on purchase, oil full, coolant bled last weekend. Euro breakdown purchased; must check the small print. No track insurance, so will be taking it steady.
Returning home on the Sunday afternoon/evening, some might have to stock up on beer/fags on the way over.
Thanks again for all the info provided to date; will let you know how we get on; might have to think about the Cerb trip later this year then !!
cheers
Mike
again, the excellent advice on here is much appreciated.
Track day silencers are sorted; tested the car without and it was (IIRC) 102DB so hoping to get close to the strict 95db's that on Ben's site.
Car serviced on purchase, oil full, coolant bled last weekend. Euro breakdown purchased; must check the small print. No track insurance, so will be taking it steady.
Returning home on the Sunday afternoon/evening, some might have to stock up on beer/fags on the way over.
Thanks again for all the info provided to date; will let you know how we get on; might have to think about the Cerb trip later this year then !!
cheers
Mike
Don't cover your car with RAF stickers, they don't like it, and will give you agro with the noise meter.
Don't hoof it straight down the main straight after the barrier, this is still very close to the village, and the noise testers will look out for you.
Apart from that enjoy it, and drive to your own limits, your first lap will be hardest, as you will get passed by loads of cars, watch your mirrors.Oh don't even think of coming home without a load of photo's for us all, and get a pistonclaus sizzler, it's part of the experience.
Don't hoof it straight down the main straight after the barrier, this is still very close to the village, and the noise testers will look out for you.
Apart from that enjoy it, and drive to your own limits, your first lap will be hardest, as you will get passed by loads of cars, watch your mirrors.Oh don't even think of coming home without a load of photo's for us all, and get a pistonclaus sizzler, it's part of the experience.
Drive what you see is good advice. It's quite hilly with lots of blind crests and you won't remember what's over the horizon. In that respect it can be quite frustrating. Your best bet is to remember a few key bits each lap, but even then it can catch you out
Slow down when you see spectators
they're there to see some action
Don't bother timing yourself. Keep right to let faster traffic past (of which there will be loads) Have fun!
Finally, and most importantly, sign up to SPAreRING..
Slow down when you see spectators
they're there to see some action Don't bother timing yourself. Keep right to let faster traffic past (of which there will be loads) Have fun!
Finally, and most importantly, sign up to SPAreRING..
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