Roll call - October 8/9 - Nurburgring and Spa

Roll call - October 8/9 - Nurburgring and Spa

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Discussion

Butters

Original Poster:

268 posts

250 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Hi there all, I have decided to make the most of the consecutive dates to drive the Nordschleife on Monday 8th with Destination Nurburgring and Spa on Tuesday 9th with Circuit Days.

Seeing as its a bit of a way off I thought it would be good to see who else was doing the same, when you are intending to head out and where you might stay etc.

Having looked this morning it appears that Saturday 6th (PM) and Sunday 7th (All Day) are tourist days so I'll most likely make a long weekend of it. Would be good to get some familiarisation laps in over the weekend having not been for 18 months by the time October comes around so I can get the most out of the trackday.

Spa on the other hand will be a first for me so really looking forward to my maiden outing there on the way home!

So if you're planning to head out to these track days/dates here is a place to discuss your trip and get excited.

James.

RedSpike66

2,336 posts

211 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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I'm really considering this. My insurance covers me on the Nurgburing for closed track days, and along with Spa is on the 'must do' list. Having only done one or two Track Days so far here in the UK, I'm a bit of a novice, so would love to meet up with like minded guys/girls for the trip out/back, stay in the same area/hotels etc..

The Circuit Days Nurgburing trip looks like a decent trip, not extortionate cost, with a detour back via Spa seems like a good plan... Interesting to see what others are thinking of doing..

Cheers

The Walrus

1,857 posts

204 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Yep I am going first thing Sunday morning to the ring hopefully arriving by midday, staying at the sonneck which is more a guest house type place then off to Spa Tuesday crash some place local in the evening home Wednesday.

I will be driving down in a bit of pork and then hopefully using a friends track car but have been before to the ring but not spa.

GreigM

6,726 posts

248 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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I'll be there (with about 13 other cars in our group), but doing the ring on Monday and Spa on wednesday...gives a "day off" to have a wee drinky on the monday evening before heading over to Spa late tuesday....

DiscoColin

3,328 posts

213 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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GreigM said:
I'll be there (with about 13 other cars in our group), but doing the ring on Monday and Spa on wednesday...gives a "day off" to have a wee drinky on the monday evening before heading over to Spa late tuesday....
With the Tuesday sold out at Spa from Circuit Days (though DN still have a couple of premium priced packages available the last time I looked) I am following the same plan as you. I'll not be alone either thumbup

7 TVR

2,589 posts

167 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Want to do these dates but probably end up on the two Goldtrack days the following Mon,Tuesday as it hopefully follows on from a weekend of racing!

supertouring

2,228 posts

232 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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We (South Manchester & Cheshire Scoobies) go every year and this is probably going to be the dates for our trip this year.

I think one of the guys is planning to do Spa, but as I do not have a suitable car any more I will probably rent for the Ring.

I just hope it is not as mental as our trip last year, when all the big accidents took place and the track was hardly open.




7 TVR

2,589 posts

167 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Sorry but is the Monday £1000 even if you don't have a passenger, website says £500per person? i don't have any mates rich enough to pay £500 just to be a passenger biggrin

Butters

Original Poster:

268 posts

250 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Well that's a great first response chaps. I am so looking forward to October!

I have been to the 'Ring the last two years at Easter (2010 & 2011) but been doing track days for about 11 years. I have only done tourist days and agree they can be a little hairy at times but to be fair, everyone is in the same boat and I find you can see the idiots coming if you have your whits about you and just let them go by. If you're not chasing a lap time then there is no reason not to let someone in a lesser car overtake you and get involved in a worthless race. I have found once you have adopted this approach it becomes more enjoyable and more safe.

That said after visiting the Nurburgring last time over Easter 2011 and geting two laps in in one day due to a horrendous amount of closures, I had to re-assess. I spoke to 3 or 4 guys who had done two days of DN trackdays (the two days prior to my arrival). After that I was sold so really looking forward to seeing how this experience goes. I think it's the only way to do the Nurburgring now but will still do a few laps of TF on the Saturday or Sunday to refresh and re-connect with the circuit before Monday's event.

I was planning to come out on my own or bring one of my best friends for the ride and give him a little track time. It would be great to hook up maybe for at least the journey out or back to make the travelling a little more enjoyable. After seeing GreigM's post I wish that I was doing Monday and Wednesday. It didn't really cross my mind to have a day off in between but the more I think about it the idea makes a lot of sense. I would no doubt get greater enjoyment out of the whole trip having a chance to re-charge the batteries before the second full day event. Oh well you live and learn. I might try Darren and CircuitDays tomorrow to see if I can switch my Tuesday to Wednesday but imagine at this stage in the proceedings may have to stick with my current option.

Personally I stay at Hotel Am Tiergarten as I really like the overall understated atmosphere with the Pistenklause setup bolted on. It's just right. Very relaxing. I have no idea where to stay at Spa having never been there but thought it would be a nice way to end the trip to stay over rather than head straight home. Radisson Blu looks good so think that might be just the ticket to wind down, enjoy the facilities and make my way home on the Wednesday. I could always return to the circuit in the morning to see how you guys are getting on and head off at lunchtime.

I will definitely head out on the Friday evening or early Saturday morning to enjoy a long weekend even if only to soak up the atmosphere of the place and take the time out from work.

Tick tock...

James.

GreigM

6,726 posts

248 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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James, you should call circuit days, as I think the Tuesday is sold-out so they might be very happy to switch you to the wednesday as it probably means they can re-sell the Tuesday space.

We're staying at the Tiergarten also - a couple of us are on slicks and means we can just trundle down to the circuit like that, rather than taking trailers down etc.

A few of us did DN last year and it was great - weather perfect, no nutters and only 1 stoppage in 2 days.

Porkie

2,378 posts

240 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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I'm going smile Will go over friday I think. Really make a nice break of it.

Done a few days with Darren from DN before and they have all been great fun, very relaxed yet slick and super professional and organised.

Really excited about this one.

Here is link if anyone else is up for it

http://www.destination-nurburgring.com/event-dates

Porkie

2,378 posts

240 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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shaunGT3RS said:
I'm heading there Sat 6th, plan to take it easy Sunday, personally i'm not sure about TF days due to lack of insurance... staying at Am Tiergarden.
I'm staying there as well. I'm the same with the TF days. Just hire a Swift from Dale at RSR. Alot more fun than you would think... especially if there are a few of you in the same cars.

Thats our plan. Will only use my own cars on the closed trackdays so no insurance problems.... not worried about bending my cars. Its the 3rd party liability issues

Edited by Porkie on Tuesday 1st May 09:03

ukkid35

6,137 posts

172 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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Thanks for the reminder, I hadn't realised it was booking up so quickly. I'll be there for Monday and Wednesday, I hope the weather is as good as this time last month.

Butters

Original Poster:

268 posts

250 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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Well I called Chris at Circuit Days this morning and with availability on the Wednesday I have managed to switch so now doing Monday and Wednesday. Great shout GreigM, I feel much happier about the whole trip as a result and will get a good break out of it too. Thank you to Circuit Days for being accommodating too. smile

Hotel Am Tiergarten booked for the Nurburgring (love that place) and Radisson Blu for Spa.

If anyone is thinking of heading out on Saturday morning via the Eurotunnel and wouldn't mind one car tagging along let me know as it would be more enjoyable joining one of the groups for the cruise over.

James.

P.S. If only we didn't have to wait until October!

krallicious

4,312 posts

204 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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DiscoColin said:
GreigM said:
I'll be there (with about 13 other cars in our group), but doing the ring on Monday and Spa on wednesday...gives a "day off" to have a wee drinky on the monday evening before heading over to Spa late tuesday....
With the Tuesday sold out at Spa from Circuit Days (though DN still have a couple of premium priced packages available the last time I looked) I am following the same plan as you. I'll not be alone either thumbup
Also doing the same with my brother but in a new car this time woohoo

ukkid35

6,137 posts

172 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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Butters said:
If anyone is thinking of heading out on Saturday morning via the Eurotunnel and wouldn't mind one car tagging along let me know as it would be more enjoyable joining one of the groups for the cruise over.
That's when I'm likely to be going, but I'm just one for now.

spec c 360

15 posts

168 months

Monday 7th May 2012
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Hi there
I will be heading over on the Saturday morning 10am ferry and staying at the Burgstube.
No TF on the Sunday just spectating and photography as i have first party insurance in place for the Monday.
Heading over on my own so if anyone wants to convoy over let me know.

jables350z

17 posts

168 months

Wednesday 9th May 2012
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I'm heading out with a few mates on the Saturday 10am ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. We're going to Koblenz that evening for a few drinks before heading over to the Ring on Sunday. Then the big one is DN6 on the Monday! We're staying at the Burgstube Sunday and Monday night. Come say hi or feel free to join us at any leg; we'll be in an orange 350z, white Civic Type-R (FD2), a black Civic Type-R (EP3) and a black 320D. Roll on October!

Edited by jables350z on Wednesday 9th May 10:35

guestGTR

160 posts

185 months

Friday 11th May 2012
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im booked up for the Monday at the Ring and Tuesday at Spa smileseem good value to me via the DN website.
Black R-35 , come say hi smile

spec c 360

15 posts

168 months

Friday 11th May 2012
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hi jables 350z
I will keep an eye out for you whilst queuing for the ferry at Dover unless you see me first, White Litchfield Impreza.
What is your preferred route to the Ring ? After trying different routes the Lille to Liege option has proved the quickest despite being slightly longer it misses the dreaded Brussels ring road. Despite this i will go along with a majority vote and tag along on your chosen route.