Nurburgring beginner....
Discussion
Looking forward to seeing what the quattro feels like on the limit (well more on the limit than the school run or the commute), but yes, not looking to do any times laps, just want to experience it and really enjoy it...can't wait if I'm honest with you!!
Did a bit of messing about with my phone and a new holder for the dash/screen, may well film a couple of laps that way, nothing serious, just a memento of the experience.
Am getting the message about mirrors, will keep my eyes on them - good tip about a second mirror for the passenger, but he doesn't drive and don't necessarily think I'd be able to count on him for giving me that info!
We are thinking about buying a lap in the ring taxi if possible, we'll see, would certainly be good to get driven round by someone with experience that's for sure!
Thanks again for everyone's comments and input!
Andy
Did a bit of messing about with my phone and a new holder for the dash/screen, may well film a couple of laps that way, nothing serious, just a memento of the experience.
Am getting the message about mirrors, will keep my eyes on them - good tip about a second mirror for the passenger, but he doesn't drive and don't necessarily think I'd be able to count on him for giving me that info!
We are thinking about buying a lap in the ring taxi if possible, we'll see, would certainly be good to get driven round by someone with experience that's for sure!
Thanks again for everyone's comments and input!
Andy
TF is not a track day, so track day rules do not apply.
It is a two lane toll road, believe it or not, and you will need to be in the right hand lane if something is overtaking you, which means you can't automatically take the racing line.
I don't even attempt to drive the Ring when it's wet, it's simply not worth it unless you are very experienced. The camber change on the exit from Kallenhard (as mentioned earlier) caught me out last year when it was damp, fortunately I didn't hit anything, but that easily could have been £5k plus for Armco, recovery, car damage, and that is excluding the possibility of ruining a biker's day.
Here's a video from someone illustrating how easily it can go wrong at Kallenhard, even when appearing to be very cautious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5lrXLbT4yc
Skip to 3:00 if you're in a hurry
It is a two lane toll road, believe it or not, and you will need to be in the right hand lane if something is overtaking you, which means you can't automatically take the racing line.
I don't even attempt to drive the Ring when it's wet, it's simply not worth it unless you are very experienced. The camber change on the exit from Kallenhard (as mentioned earlier) caught me out last year when it was damp, fortunately I didn't hit anything, but that easily could have been £5k plus for Armco, recovery, car damage, and that is excluding the possibility of ruining a biker's day.
Here's a video from someone illustrating how easily it can go wrong at Kallenhard, even when appearing to be very cautious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5lrXLbT4yc
Skip to 3:00 if you're in a hurry
Kallenhard is a b
h in the wet. The wet line is hugging the outside all the way through.
I really would recommend you go for a few passenger laps before you head out yourself. The size of the place will otherwise make your head explode. It's a lot to handle when you're really excited and there for the first time.
h in the wet. The wet line is hugging the outside all the way through. I really would recommend you go for a few passenger laps before you head out yourself. The size of the place will otherwise make your head explode. It's a lot to handle when you're really excited and there for the first time.
I went for the first time last week and it was great. I have done lots of track days but as said TF are not track days.
As suggested above definitely get a passenger ride. We got one in an M3 when we arrived on the Saturday and then rented cars to drive round on the Sunday (Suzuki Swifts).
The passenger ride gave us a feel for how it works even though we only had one lap.
The taxi goes tanking past other cars mid corners, as a slower vehicle you really need to make sure you look in the mirror every few seconds and make sure you stay well over to the right when something comes up behind you which more often than not means missing the racing line so they can pass.
I wish I had rented something a bit faster as the speed that other cars were catching me up meant I spent a lot of time with my indicator on letting others pass.
I couldn't believe the number of accidents though. Someone crashed right in front of me actually!
It was shut probably half of the day on both days due to accidents.
Going again in October hopefully but this time in my own track car which should be a lot more fun!
As suggested above definitely get a passenger ride. We got one in an M3 when we arrived on the Saturday and then rented cars to drive round on the Sunday (Suzuki Swifts).
The passenger ride gave us a feel for how it works even though we only had one lap.
The taxi goes tanking past other cars mid corners, as a slower vehicle you really need to make sure you look in the mirror every few seconds and make sure you stay well over to the right when something comes up behind you which more often than not means missing the racing line so they can pass.
I wish I had rented something a bit faster as the speed that other cars were catching me up meant I spent a lot of time with my indicator on letting others pass.
I couldn't believe the number of accidents though. Someone crashed right in front of me actually!
It was shut probably half of the day on both days due to accidents.
Going again in October hopefully but this time in my own track car which should be a lot more fun!
Edited by Timbuktu on Saturday 20th August 11:32
Morning all,
So arrived yesterday and decided to go for a couple of laps in the evening as it was open for an hour.
Queuing all around the roundabout to get into the car parks, and eventually when we got let in, I was contemplating just having 5 mins in the car park to just sort myself out before going on, as I was very nervous.
But we more less got funnelled straight onto the track, and away we went!! The first time coming out of the cones to that huge expanse of track disappearing off to the left down the hill was exhilarating!!
Stayed calm and was able to keep a good check on my mirrors, taking the racing line when it was all clear. Man, you really don't know it until you've done it, the undulations are intense! The the compression before Schwedenkruesse (sp?) and at the bottom of the fox hole especially, they take your breath away!!!
Felt comfortable getting up to speed on a couple of places and on second lap was trying to get more of a better line through the fast sweepers...but was intense looking out for other drivers. Passed quite a few and got passed by quite a few, felt I was courteous and safe. It seems that not everyone bothers reading the rules and one brit in a TT was confusing the hell out of everyone at one of the fast sections by staying over to the left without signalling, meaning it was totally ambiguous as to whether he was aware of traffic passing him.
But all in all a great couple of laps and amazing fun! Just having some brekkie then off down there for some more laps, was.gorgeous and sunny yesterday despite weather reports, hoping they're wrong again today!
Cheers!
So arrived yesterday and decided to go for a couple of laps in the evening as it was open for an hour.
Queuing all around the roundabout to get into the car parks, and eventually when we got let in, I was contemplating just having 5 mins in the car park to just sort myself out before going on, as I was very nervous.
But we more less got funnelled straight onto the track, and away we went!! The first time coming out of the cones to that huge expanse of track disappearing off to the left down the hill was exhilarating!!
Stayed calm and was able to keep a good check on my mirrors, taking the racing line when it was all clear. Man, you really don't know it until you've done it, the undulations are intense! The the compression before Schwedenkruesse (sp?) and at the bottom of the fox hole especially, they take your breath away!!!
Felt comfortable getting up to speed on a couple of places and on second lap was trying to get more of a better line through the fast sweepers...but was intense looking out for other drivers. Passed quite a few and got passed by quite a few, felt I was courteous and safe. It seems that not everyone bothers reading the rules and one brit in a TT was confusing the hell out of everyone at one of the fast sections by staying over to the left without signalling, meaning it was totally ambiguous as to whether he was aware of traffic passing him.
But all in all a great couple of laps and amazing fun! Just having some brekkie then off down there for some more laps, was.gorgeous and sunny yesterday despite weather reports, hoping they're wrong again today!
Cheers!
Ah fantastic! My very next question was, is there a place to contact photographers for any trackside pics!
Cheers!
Another two this morning, lovely clear laps, pushed it a bit harder and was great fun!!
Off to Ghent this afternoon so probably only one or two laps, plus just spitting with rain gently so probably had the best of the weather!!
Will post some pics, great experience, really bloody fantastic!!
Cheers!
Another two this morning, lovely clear laps, pushed it a bit harder and was great fun!!
Off to Ghent this afternoon so probably only one or two laps, plus just spitting with rain gently so probably had the best of the weather!!
Will post some pics, great experience, really bloody fantastic!!
ahiorns said:
Ah fantastic! My very next question was, is there a place to contact photographers for any trackside pics!
Cheers!
Another two this morning, lovely clear laps, pushed it a bit harder and was great fun!!
Off to Ghent this afternoon so probably only one or two laps, plus just spitting with rain gently so probably had the best of the weather!!
Will post some pics, great experience, really bloody fantastic!!
Good to hear that it all went well and everything's still in one piece. Cheers!
Another two this morning, lovely clear laps, pushed it a bit harder and was great fun!!
Off to Ghent this afternoon so probably only one or two laps, plus just spitting with rain gently so probably had the best of the weather!!
Will post some pics, great experience, really bloody fantastic!!
https://youtu.be/XmxPC0z_Y9A
http://www.racetracker.de/event/picture/1884763-b6...
And.. https://youtu.be/EOA3h4PVclo at 6.30
Was such good fun!....thank you all for your advice, made it a lot less daunting and a lot safer!
Cheers
http://www.racetracker.de/event/picture/1884763-b6...
And.. https://youtu.be/EOA3h4PVclo at 6.30
Was such good fun!....thank you all for your advice, made it a lot less daunting and a lot safer!
Cheers
Ha thank you! The other laps weren't necessarily for public consumption, I only uploaded them in case something happened to my phone...lots of choice language and talking nonsense!
The thing I took away with me really was line is so important, hence knowing the track is more than useful....some of the peaks and troughs make handling the car very very challenging so getting the line right and setting the car up to drive as straight as possible through these areas is key!
The thing I took away with me really was line is so important, hence knowing the track is more than useful....some of the peaks and troughs make handling the car very very challenging so getting the line right and setting the car up to drive as straight as possible through these areas is key!
robs7 said:
I'm off to the Ring next week. Can someone recommend somewhere to stay overnight that has parking for my car and trailer? Doesn't need to be near the Ring necessarily as I'm off to the Euro tunnel the next day. Just want somewhere reasonably safe to leave the car overnight.
Hotel an der Nordshliefe has a number of garages that can be booked near Adenau.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff