First time to the Nurburgring
Discussion
Given there's a good few people who have been, I've been watching the various beginners guides on youtube to try and give myself some idea of what to expect.
Basic idea's is DO NOT even try for times, just enjoy yourself and stick to the right hand side.
Sadly I don't have a PS4 to try with on Grand Turismo or akin, so have to make do. Plan is to go visit the ring from the 12th to the 16th August this year. IF anyone's there at the same time from here and had some time on the ring, if i can get a few passenger rides it would be most helpful! Quite happy to pay my way.
I've also worked the car I'm taking over in preparation for this, making sure any leaks are sorted and the brakes are in tip top condition with decent tyres. See: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Is there anything like tools or such I would be best off taking just in case?
Basic idea's is DO NOT even try for times, just enjoy yourself and stick to the right hand side.
Sadly I don't have a PS4 to try with on Grand Turismo or akin, so have to make do. Plan is to go visit the ring from the 12th to the 16th August this year. IF anyone's there at the same time from here and had some time on the ring, if i can get a few passenger rides it would be most helpful! Quite happy to pay my way.
I've also worked the car I'm taking over in preparation for this, making sure any leaks are sorted and the brakes are in tip top condition with decent tyres. See: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Is there anything like tools or such I would be best off taking just in case?
I wouldn't worry about trying to learn the circuit on a Playstation - it can't prepare you for all the camber changes.
Just take it easy and keep a real eye on your mirrors, it's unbelievable how fast cars come up behind you.
Have fun.
Tom
PS - oh and don't crash like I did on my first trip over there.
Just take it easy and keep a real eye on your mirrors, it's unbelievable how fast cars come up behind you.
Have fun.
Tom
PS - oh and don't crash like I did on my first trip over there.
You've probably seen this M3 video in your investigations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
Tonsko said:
You've probably seen this M3 video in your investigations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
Seen that one.. definitely not planning to drive it in the wet on my first go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
Hence the question regarding if anyone is there at the dates stated, a passenger ride with some pointers where the bits to be careful are would help.
I really felt for the guy. You could hear the enthusiasm in their voices, totally stoked to be there! Careful, careful, no traffic, we're on the track! Let's go! The rapidly rising revs...and then the crunch. 's
t'.
Then I chuckled. Could see myself doing the same, once upon a time. If I ever had access to an M3, that is. On a wet Nurburgring.
t'.Then I chuckled. Could see myself doing the same, once upon a time. If I ever had access to an M3, that is. On a wet Nurburgring.
Tonsko said:
You've probably seen this M3 video in your investigations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
Pretty sure it was an E30 325i.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QL_LkDDM
I live and work here , if I can be of any help.
Haven't checked your dates but ideal times to drive here are usually Mon thru till Wed evenings.You, if your lucky, could get virtually all of the circuit to yourself.
However, please remember that the Ring is under normal German traffic laws, use the mirrors constantly.If a car is approaching fast indicate right and id safe to do so, move to the right.
You will on the brakes a fair bit-normal for first timers, but you will learn eventually where its not necessary to do so.Its the best circuit in the world, come to enjoy it, not beat it.
Haven't checked your dates but ideal times to drive here are usually Mon thru till Wed evenings.You, if your lucky, could get virtually all of the circuit to yourself.
However, please remember that the Ring is under normal German traffic laws, use the mirrors constantly.If a car is approaching fast indicate right and id safe to do so, move to the right.
You will on the brakes a fair bit-normal for first timers, but you will learn eventually where its not necessary to do so.Its the best circuit in the world, come to enjoy it, not beat it.
Most of the dangerous bits are marked with little warning triangles on the track leaflet. Personally I would get ADAC cover (German AA only signed up to over the phone) and take some gaffer tape just in case you have a driveable crunch and spare pads if your pads are not particularly new.
Enjoy a fabulous track and do not get sucked into racing anyone you think has a slower car than you. Looks are deceiving and drivers may be seasoned professionals.
Finally it takes a good few laps before you remember all the track.
Pip
Enjoy a fabulous track and do not get sucked into racing anyone you think has a slower car than you. Looks are deceiving and drivers may be seasoned professionals.
Finally it takes a good few laps before you remember all the track.
Pip
Brakes have been top of the list on things to sort, have already put in fresh ATE TYP200 - (Superblue) HEL stainless lines and Mtec dimple and grooved front discs.
Plan is to put some DS2500 pads in before we leave and bed them en-route.
Good call on the ADAC Cover.. have to see how much it is for a month
Plan is to put some DS2500 pads in before we leave and bed them en-route.
Good call on the ADAC Cover.. have to see how much it is for a month
One thing you seem to have forgotten is the brake fluid.The main reason for loosing your brakes! Motul RBF is perfect for most applications, with that and the set up you mention, you'll not run out of pedal.
RE ADAC cover, dont think you will get a months cover but at around eighty pounds for the year its still very good value as getting a tow off from Bongard will cost around €250.
RE ADAC cover, dont think you will get a months cover but at around eighty pounds for the year its still very good value as getting a tow off from Bongard will cost around €250.
The idea of looking for pax laps first shows that you have the right attitude. If you could also find yourself an experienced spotter for your first laps as a driver...
I would have helped but not there before October sadly.
My advice is to consider it as a very technical A road that you've never been on - in other words 5/10ths tops.
PS3/4 laps help tremendously if you understand the limitations and that it will only be for orientation purposes.
Brakes not normally a problem IME, what with the long cooling off sections.
I would have helped but not there before October sadly.
My advice is to consider it as a very technical A road that you've never been on - in other words 5/10ths tops.
PS3/4 laps help tremendously if you understand the limitations and that it will only be for orientation purposes.
Brakes not normally a problem IME, what with the long cooling off sections.
Did my first laps there last week, first ever laps on a track.
Rented a Suzuki Swift from Rent4Ring for an evening TF session.
Firstly - I got completely lost trying to find the actual entrance to the track. Try and orientate yourself first, it's about a mile down the road from the GP track entrance.
Once I got on, it was raining and there had been light rain most of the afternoon after a week of dry, it was very slippery but being in the Swift, I never felt like I was going fast enough for it to become a problem and it was easy enough to bring the front back into line if it started to push wide.
Given the weather there were virtually no bikes, one did come off though, apparently pottering around the track terrified of dropping it on the slippery surface, still dropped it.
This was between lap 1&2, I had stopped to chat to the wife and pick her up as she didn't want to come with me on my first lap. Ended up being a 20 minute break.
Went out for laps 2&3 when the sun had come out and some of the corners had dried, this meant a bit more speed through the corners with very little chance of the little Suzuki pushing wide with the super grippy R888's on.
There was very little traffic and surprisingly few cars coming past, a close eye on the mirrors was easy enough to manage given the light traffic. As mentioned, if a faster car arrives, indicate right to acknowledge his presence (and shift to the right side) and they will come past you on the left.
Likewise for you, if you come across a slower vehicle, wait till they have acknowledged you and then pass them safely on the left.
I had an awesome three laps and will certainly be going again the next time I'm in Europe.
I can also recommend the hotel Blau Ecke, great rooms, rates and breakfast. Supper and beers/wine were a bargain in the evening too.
Rented a Suzuki Swift from Rent4Ring for an evening TF session.
Firstly - I got completely lost trying to find the actual entrance to the track. Try and orientate yourself first, it's about a mile down the road from the GP track entrance.
Once I got on, it was raining and there had been light rain most of the afternoon after a week of dry, it was very slippery but being in the Swift, I never felt like I was going fast enough for it to become a problem and it was easy enough to bring the front back into line if it started to push wide.
Given the weather there were virtually no bikes, one did come off though, apparently pottering around the track terrified of dropping it on the slippery surface, still dropped it.
This was between lap 1&2, I had stopped to chat to the wife and pick her up as she didn't want to come with me on my first lap. Ended up being a 20 minute break.
Went out for laps 2&3 when the sun had come out and some of the corners had dried, this meant a bit more speed through the corners with very little chance of the little Suzuki pushing wide with the super grippy R888's on.
There was very little traffic and surprisingly few cars coming past, a close eye on the mirrors was easy enough to manage given the light traffic. As mentioned, if a faster car arrives, indicate right to acknowledge his presence (and shift to the right side) and they will come past you on the left.
Likewise for you, if you come across a slower vehicle, wait till they have acknowledged you and then pass them safely on the left.
I had an awesome three laps and will certainly be going again the next time I'm in Europe.
I can also recommend the hotel Blau Ecke, great rooms, rates and breakfast. Supper and beers/wine were a bargain in the evening too.
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 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.
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