Thursday 9th October 2014

The North Loop: My Dream Drive

Nordschleife closed? Don't worry, you're still in petrolhead nirvana with the local roads

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Name: Dale Lomas
Where: Nurburg to Nurburg
Car used: Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Fast, flowing, well surfaced... it's paradise

The route:
"This isn't just a great way to spend 45 minutes when the track's closed, it's a fantastic route worth driving all on it's own. And it can form the basis of a whole afternoon, stopping whenever you see the Nordschleife or an interesting workshop.

"It starts and finishes in the village of Nürburg. You'll travel through the old village, past the new F1 track and then around the old Sudschleife (which is now a public road)."

Why it's a dream drive:
"There are altitude changes of over 1000ft at a time, and the scenery is some of the best around. The lay of the lands means that hairpins are common, but never repetitive. It's the same geography that helped shape the Nordschleife. But these roads don't have any restrictive opening hours, and they don't close for bad weather.

As challenging and fun as the circuit itself

"There's so much history in the area, you'll be driving roads enjoyed by petrolheads of all levels for nearly a century. From happy amateurs to multiple GP winners.

"While the speed limit of 100km/h on normal roads is fairly generous by modern standards, there's no need to break the law to enjoy these fantastic roads. They're technical, demanding and easy to enjoy."

Highlights and lowlights:
"After leaving the bright lights and concrete of the F1 circuit, you'll find yourself rolling down the hill towards Mullenbach. Passing the campsite entrance, there's a concrete telephone box on the opposite side. You're on the old Sudschleife. It's a cracking road, but it's so tight and twisty that it's hard to believe it used to be an international racetrack..

That time you really need a sound clip

"Most visitors rave about the road between Nurburg and Adenau, but the best driver's road by far is that from Adenau to Hohe Acht. It starts off fast and flowing, but as it climbs up and up, the switchbacks and hairpins start to take hold. It's beautifully surfaced too.

"It's used as a rally stage on occasion, and you'll be sharing it with all kinds of prototypes during the week. As well as us local residents, cutting towards the autobahn."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"There are so many places to stop on this route. Like I said, you can turn it into a half day's excursion if you want to. Everytime you see a glimpse of the Nordschleife, find somewhere to park and take a look. If you park at Brunnchen and walk next to the track, it's possible to walk to the Karussell within 20 minutes.

You'll share the road with test mules also

"Obviously you'll go past the Nurburgring Boulevard with its kart track and souvenir shops. But if you look at the map carefully, you'll see that I'm taking you right through the industry estate at Meuspath too. Look through an open workshop door and you never know what you might see.

"There are customer-facing shops, like Raeder and Getspeed. You'll also find brake pads, tyres and even race car builders occupying the estate. But some shops are not exactly walk-in, though staring through the windows at the supercar collections inside Black Falcon or Manthey is hardly a waste of time either."

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Follow the route here.

 

[matt1269]

Having spent last week on these roads, it amazes me just how perfect the surface is, and wonder why the UK can't have such good quality tarmac!

[323ti]

Great driving roads for sure. But they also see their fair share of (severe) accidents because people tend to treat them like the track itself and drive like a nutter.
The Ring during Touristenfahrten may be considered as a public road, but it obviously really isn't.
The roads around it are, and should be treated as such, if not just for your own safety then certainly for the safety of fellow road-users.
Not implying that the article suggested or promoted irresponsible driving, you know, just sayin'.

[The JM]

This is what I end up doing every time I have been to the ring recently as on my last 3 visits it has always been so busy / shut due to accidents I have not managed to make it into the carpark let alone the track.

[Will Fleming]

Thanks Dale, doing the post Nordschleife trip blues the world of good, (books Eurotunnel for November)

[HereBeMonsters]

Even better, book that mental taxi driver from Adenau. Can't remember his name now, but he took us around those roads faster than Sabine took us around the Nordschleife!

[daytona365]

Infinitely better than the north circular.

[MadDog1962]

Somebody needs to do a write up on the Bearstooth Highway here in the USA. It's probably the best driving road in North America. High limits and spectacular scenery in Montana. Just wonderful.

[scherzkeks]

323ti said:

The roads around it are, and should be treated as such, if not just for your own safety then certainly for the safety of fellow road-users.
Not implying that the article suggested or promoted irresponsible driving, you know, just sayin'.

Yup. Lots of cyclists on these roads, too -- particularly near Hohe Acht.

[V8KSN]

MadDog1962 said:

Somebody needs to do a write up on the Bearstooth Highway here in the USA. It's probably the best driving road in North America. High limits and spectacular scenery in Montana. Just wonderful.

Why dont you?

[spudgun GB]

The few times I have been out there we have taken a drive up to badmunstrel to see the radio telescope and I found that a good drive. The telescope is worth a look if your out there.

Edited by spudgun GB on Sunday 12th October 01:06

[spudgun GB]

The few times I have been out there we have taken a drive up to badmunstrel to see the radio telescope and I found that a good drive. The telescope is worth a look if your out there.

Edited by spudgun GB on Monday 13th October 18:34