Nurburgring beginner....
Discussion
Hi all,
As the above suggests, I’m just about to embark on my first trip over to the Nordschleife, in fact this will be my first ‘track day’ ever, albeit it’s a TF day and not an actual track day, but you catch my drift. I'm not going in anything special, driving over in my A6 Avant, so not the sportiest of motors!
I wondered if I could ask a couple of newbie questions which you may or may not be able to assist with.
Firstly, I’m travelling this weekend, the weather looks decidedly iffy. It may be that I will be driving some, or all, of the laps on a wet/damp track. I’ve heard that the track is notoriously slippery when wet, and it’s best to keep away from the racing lines when wet…..but I wondered if there were a few specific danger areas to keep a close eye on – I’ve heard a few times that Hocheichen is treacherous, but I think the slower corners I could cope with, I just want to do my best to avoid losing it on a faster section, such as Flugplatz and the following sections leading to Arenberg and Adenauer Forst etc and the fast section before the Carrousel….anyway, any advice/experience you could impart would be really gratefully received!
Also, I’ve done my fair share of YouTube viewing the last week or so, and it seems that almost everyone films their laps onboard in some way or another. I equally read that this is banned – so what’s the score, are these people covertly filming from on board? I was just planning to maybe have the camera running on my smartphone with it in a holder on the dash rather than anything elaborate – but again your advice would be welcome!
We’re staying in an Airbnb place in Quiddelbach, which I know is a little way away from Nurburg itself where presumably the majority of people eat/drink…a) is there anything to do and anywhere to socialise in Quiddelbach that anyone knows of, or b) what’s the situation with grabbing a taxi to and from Nurburg, or any kind of public transport really.
Anyway, think that’s about it for now – anyone else travelling over this weekend? Will keep an eye out for the Englanders!
Andy
As the above suggests, I’m just about to embark on my first trip over to the Nordschleife, in fact this will be my first ‘track day’ ever, albeit it’s a TF day and not an actual track day, but you catch my drift. I'm not going in anything special, driving over in my A6 Avant, so not the sportiest of motors!
I wondered if I could ask a couple of newbie questions which you may or may not be able to assist with.
Firstly, I’m travelling this weekend, the weather looks decidedly iffy. It may be that I will be driving some, or all, of the laps on a wet/damp track. I’ve heard that the track is notoriously slippery when wet, and it’s best to keep away from the racing lines when wet…..but I wondered if there were a few specific danger areas to keep a close eye on – I’ve heard a few times that Hocheichen is treacherous, but I think the slower corners I could cope with, I just want to do my best to avoid losing it on a faster section, such as Flugplatz and the following sections leading to Arenberg and Adenauer Forst etc and the fast section before the Carrousel….anyway, any advice/experience you could impart would be really gratefully received!
Also, I’ve done my fair share of YouTube viewing the last week or so, and it seems that almost everyone films their laps onboard in some way or another. I equally read that this is banned – so what’s the score, are these people covertly filming from on board? I was just planning to maybe have the camera running on my smartphone with it in a holder on the dash rather than anything elaborate – but again your advice would be welcome!
We’re staying in an Airbnb place in Quiddelbach, which I know is a little way away from Nurburg itself where presumably the majority of people eat/drink…a) is there anything to do and anywhere to socialise in Quiddelbach that anyone knows of, or b) what’s the situation with grabbing a taxi to and from Nurburg, or any kind of public transport really.
Anyway, think that’s about it for now – anyone else travelling over this weekend? Will keep an eye out for the Englanders!
Andy
Hi all,
Thanks for the advice!!
Will certainly take a trek into Nurburg on Sat night, check out the Pistenklause if we can get a table.
I take on board what you say, but I think if it's raining then I won't shy away from giving it a go....I'll certainly feel my way around, watched a number of vids, including Dales, to get an idea of certainly what not to do.
I've got an A6 3.2 quattro, so hoping the 4wd will help me out if it is peeing down!!
Thanks for the advice!!
Will certainly take a trek into Nurburg on Sat night, check out the Pistenklause if we can get a table.
I take on board what you say, but I think if it's raining then I won't shy away from giving it a go....I'll certainly feel my way around, watched a number of vids, including Dales, to get an idea of certainly what not to do.
I've got an A6 3.2 quattro, so hoping the 4wd will help me out if it is peeing down!!
Adenauer said:
If it's your first time, be careful, whether it's wet or dry. Keep an eye on your mirrors and let people pass you on the left. You really should be so wary in the wet that you shouldn't crash, you don't know the corners or what the track is like in the wet so drive accordingly, don't brake too late into corners and don't accelerate too soon out of them.
Just enjoy the experience, if at the end of a lap you have made a mess of your pants then you are trying to go too fast. Avoid the kerbs as has already been said.
Quiddelbach is a one horse town, no shops, no restaurants, no pubs. The pavements are rolled up at around 10pm.
Go to Nürburg for meals and beer if you want to do the traditional Brit thing, or go to Adenau which has a bit more in terms of pubs and restaurants, and a bit more 'life'.
Saturday is a VLN race so that will be good for you to watch during the day. Maybe go to a few different points to give you a feel for the track?
The main thing to do is have fun and treat the track and the rules with respect, you won't win any prizes for breaking 10 minutes and it can be very expensive if you try and it all goes 'Titten Hoch'.
Thanks mate, appreciate the words of wisdom!Just enjoy the experience, if at the end of a lap you have made a mess of your pants then you are trying to go too fast. Avoid the kerbs as has already been said.
Quiddelbach is a one horse town, no shops, no restaurants, no pubs. The pavements are rolled up at around 10pm.
Go to Nürburg for meals and beer if you want to do the traditional Brit thing, or go to Adenau which has a bit more in terms of pubs and restaurants, and a bit more 'life'.
Saturday is a VLN race so that will be good for you to watch during the day. Maybe go to a few different points to give you a feel for the track?
The main thing to do is have fun and treat the track and the rules with respect, you won't win any prizes for breaking 10 minutes and it can be very expensive if you try and it all goes 'Titten Hoch'.
Had a feeling Quiddlebach will be a bit like that - fancied Pistenklaus, but I imagine it to be busy and overpriced so maybe will check Adenau out if it's a bit more 'German' and lively.
Thanks again!!
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
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!!
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!
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