First time to the Nurburgring

First time to the Nurburgring

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Discussion

RDMcG

19,142 posts

207 months

Sunday 9th August 2015
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This video from RSR is not bad at all, but as has been said here, no video or game will prepare you for the real thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAvWCFOzD4

doogalman

704 posts

245 months

Monday 10th August 2015
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bimmer_87 said:
Firstly i'd like to say, the PS3 does help. It will give you a good indication on the flow and direction of the track, but as some have mentioned before it won't give you any idea of the altitude profile of the track; which is immense!

I changed my brake fluid to Motul RBF 660 before going and filled it with fresh oil. I can report that the brakes held up fairly well.

Unfortunately my tyres took severe punishment (Pilot super sports). doesn't help with having a heavy car (e92 m3).

Around this time it's extremely busy on weekends. I jus came back from 2nd of August. I paid 9 laps, but unfortunately only managed 5, due to constant track closures and 30 min queue to get back on track and to leave the track!

Use Dottinger Hohe to cool down your car, especially brakes.
I instruct at the Nurburgring for RSR and last year i had a chap to instruct for his first ever real lap of the track. Prior to the track opening i was chatting to him and he said how he knew the track well due to playing PS or Xbow or whatever. Interested in his knowledge i asked if he could talk me thru a lap from memory of his gaming experiance. He duely described is pretty good detail an entire lap. So, on to the track for real. At the end of lap 1 i asked him how it compared to the Game.. His reply was "I was totally and utterlly lost". Poor lad, but he did drive quite well.

redback911

2,717 posts

266 months

Monday 10th August 2015
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Go, take it easy, have fun. Breath a sigh of relief when you make it back to your hotel at the end of the day.

If things do go wrong, try to keep smiling.





Edited by redback911 on Monday 10th August 20:47

juggsy

1,428 posts

130 months

Monday 10th August 2015
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I popped my ring cherry a few weeks ago, the ring was a stop on a eurotrip I had planned. Happy to admit I was a bit nervous at first, with all the cars turning up and thoughts of stacking it, it appears a little daunting at first.

I went on a Monday evening with a 5pm start time, however get there a bit early, they open for the touristenfahrten a bit before the track opens, use this time to get your pass sorted and have an oggle at the motors which start turning up.

I did exactly as others said, I didn't try for a time (although as the car has a stopwatch and telemetry built in I admit I did set it off). As I was ready to go and had my pass when the ring opened to the public, I was one of the first on and thus didnt have too much traffic to wory about. I took my time, enjoyed myself, if something came behind me to I kept to the right, took my foot off the gas to let them pass easily, then carried on. That way I never felt pressured to drive harder than I was comfortable with.

So glad I did it, big bucket list tick box and will definitely do it again now I know how it all works.

I also stayed in the Waldhotel, about 10 mins drive away but great hotel in the sticks, nice room, owners are lovely (albeit the Frau doesn't speak much English), and good brekkie.

HTH.

braddo

10,481 posts

188 months

Tuesday 11th August 2015
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redback911 said:
Go, take it easy, have fun. Breath a sigh of relief when you make it back to your hotel at the end of the day.

If things do go wrong, try to keep smiling.





Edited by redback911 on Monday 10th August 20:47
laugh

spadriver

1,488 posts

171 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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One of the slowest, easiest corners to get wrong.Always has been, always will be.

braddo

10,481 posts

188 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Which one is it?

motor mad

473 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Where the mini is in the photo with the BMW sideways, that's Wehrseifen. It's the slowest corner on the track. I've seen many people lose it there.





Unless the BMW driver has got the line wrong out of Wehrseifen and gone on to the grass, that might explain what's happened.


Edited by motor mad on Wednesday 12th August 10:41


Edited by motor mad on Wednesday 12th August 18:16

TroubledSoul

4,599 posts

194 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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I wouldn't get too hung up on the rain making it dangerous. It's only dangerous if you don't drive to the conditions as per. My wife's first and only laps were in an absolute monsoon and she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

The evening sessions are where it's at if you just want a relatively lonely drive around. Weekend daytimes are when the best cars show up, but it's unbelievably packed on track and in the car park.

While you're there, make sure you check out the Spezzo drink in the cafe. It's a mix of Coca Cola and Fanta and sounds bizarre yet tastes great! biggrin

Tonsko

6,299 posts

215 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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German Fanta is a bit different to the UK one though I think.

agtlaw

6,712 posts

206 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Wikipedia - Fanta originated as a result of difficulties importing Coca-Cola syrup into Nazi Germany during the Second World War, due to a trade embargo. In February, 2015 a 75th anniversary version of Fanta was released in Germany. Packaged in glass bottles evoking the original design and with an authentic original war-time flavour. An associated television ad referenced the history of the drink and said the Coca-Cola company wanted to bring back "the feeling of the Good Old Times" - which was interpreted by many to mean Nazi rule. The ad was subsequently replaced.

TroubledSoul

4,599 posts

194 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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agtlaw said:
Wikipedia - Fanta originated as a result of difficulties importing Coca-Cola syrup into Nazi Germany during the Second World War, due to a trade embargo. In February, 2015 a 75th anniversary version of Fanta was released in Germany. Packaged in glass bottles evoking the original design and with an authentic original war-time flavour. An associated television ad referenced the history of the drink and said the Coca-Cola company wanted to bring back "the feeling of the Good Old Times" - which was interpreted by many to mean Nazi rule. The ad was subsequently replaced.
laugh

Potatoes

3,572 posts

170 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Have you booked it yet?

I live just over an hour away in Luxembourg and need to pop the ring cherry at somepoint. Been there twice for race meetings since moving earlier in the year but I haven't take my Speedster onto the Nordschleife yet!

I may pop along and join you!

Sf_Manta

Original Poster:

2,191 posts

191 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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I'm here now at Hotel de Nordschlife and got a friend along for the ride, but welcome to drop in.

We're here till Monday morning and planning to try and get a few laps in tomorrow and on Friday.. Sunday maybe probably very early on or late in the session. Booked 4 laps for tomorrow biggrin

Look for the E46 330i touring on my project thread over in Readers rides, has a big Pistonheads sticker on the back window biggrin

shaunsmith

1,226 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Tonsko said:
German Fanta is a bit different to the UK one though I think.
That perhaps explains when back at home, Coke & Fanta mixed together does not taste as nice as Mezzo Mix at the Ring cafe's etc.....

Potatoes

3,572 posts

170 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Cool!

I'm away with work but will try and pop up on Sunday!!

Adenauer

18,580 posts

236 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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Potatoes said:
Have you booked it yet?

I live just over an hour away in Luxembourg and need to pop the ring cherry at somepoint. Been there twice for race meetings since moving earlier in the year but I haven't take my Speedster onto the Nordschleife yet!

I may pop along and join you!
I once out braked a Speedster on the way into Briedscheid about 15 years ago. thumbup



I shouldn't have. paperbag


TroubledSoul

4,599 posts

194 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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shaunsmith said:
That perhaps explains when back at home, Coke & Fanta mixed together does not taste as nice as Mezzo Mix at the Ring cafe's etc.....
Hmm I've had it and enjoyed it at home. There's the obligatory Pepsi alternative too.

How are you getting on OP? Remember to visit the local roads through the forest etc. I find that after a heavy lap/laps it's nice to drive straight out onto the adjacent roads and do a little cool down lap rather than just parking up,. The brakes will appreciate it.

braddo

10,481 posts

188 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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motor mad said:
Where the mini is in the photo with the BMW sideways, that's Wehrseifen. It's the slowest corner on the track. I've seen many people lose it there.
Ah, got it, thanks. Funny how a corner can look so different in a photo and from a differnt viewpoint.

Sf_Manta

Original Poster:

2,191 posts

191 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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And last night was epic, managed to blag a quick sighter lap before hand, (Thank you Stuart with the black 330i) then went on for our first 2 laps.





First lap was comical as I was chasing a UK reg'ed Nissan GTR and ended up passing him early on the lap due to him not going anywhere fast enough. laugh