Nordschleife rookie
Discussion
I've just booked my hotel and the tunnel for going to the Nurburgring in August, I'm a complete novice to it all and so far watching cars has been my thing, I'm not sure how I'll cope with being in amoungst the action!
I'm not sure if there is already a 'tips' thread, but I couldn't see one. I'm fully aware of the insurance implications and this makes me think whether it's even worth me taking my car on the track at all.
What alternatives are there?
I'm not sure if there is already a 'tips' thread, but I couldn't see one. I'm fully aware of the insurance implications and this makes me think whether it's even worth me taking my car on the track at all.
What alternatives are there?
Edited by Georgiec8 on Wednesday 3rd July 12:48
Edited by Georgiec8 on Wednesday 3rd July 13:31
I'd recommend just doing an airfield day or something before you go to get a used to the feel of your car at speed.
Regardless though, just take it easy and enjoy the drive - leave the fast drivers pass you and just keep an eye on what other people are doing.
Just do a couple of laps and don't go chasing laptimes. Just enjoy the experience, it's a heck of a place. I've done the trip three times and would love to go again.
Regardless though, just take it easy and enjoy the drive - leave the fast drivers pass you and just keep an eye on what other people are doing.
Just do a couple of laps and don't go chasing laptimes. Just enjoy the experience, it's a heck of a place. I've done the trip three times and would love to go again.
What car do you have?
ive taken my V8 Xjr there twice and although it was a great eaperience it was hard work in that. Next time it will be the MX5. Slower laps? Maybe, more fun? Definately. affrd to leave it there if it goes tits up? Yes!!
Just take it easy and enjoy, dont try to race, and if youve got a Super nutter RS Porker 4wd turbo supercharged cosworth RS dont feel bad that a 17 year old in his mums Civic has just done ya, hes been driving the Ring since he got out of nappies!
oh, and dont forget to post footage
D
ive taken my V8 Xjr there twice and although it was a great eaperience it was hard work in that. Next time it will be the MX5. Slower laps? Maybe, more fun? Definately. affrd to leave it there if it goes tits up? Yes!!
Just take it easy and enjoy, dont try to race, and if youve got a Super nutter RS Porker 4wd turbo supercharged cosworth RS dont feel bad that a 17 year old in his mums Civic has just done ya, hes been driving the Ring since he got out of nappies!
oh, and dont forget to post footage
D
HaylingJag said:
What car do you have?
ive taken my V8 Xjr there twice and although it was a great eaperience it was hard work in that. Next time it will be the MX5. Slower laps? Maybe, more fun? Definately. affrd to leave it there if it goes tits up? Yes!!
Just take it easy and enjoy, dont try to race, and if youve got a Super nutter RS Porker 4wd turbo supercharged cosworth RS dont feel bad that a 17 year old in his mums Civic has just done ya, hes been driving the Ring since he got out of nappies!
oh, and dont forget to post footage
D
I've got a 1.8 Focus TDCI Zetec, I've only had it a few months. ive taken my V8 Xjr there twice and although it was a great eaperience it was hard work in that. Next time it will be the MX5. Slower laps? Maybe, more fun? Definately. affrd to leave it there if it goes tits up? Yes!!
Just take it easy and enjoy, dont try to race, and if youve got a Super nutter RS Porker 4wd turbo supercharged cosworth RS dont feel bad that a 17 year old in his mums Civic has just done ya, hes been driving the Ring since he got out of nappies!
oh, and dont forget to post footage
D
Rest assured I will happily let anybody and everybody over take me if it means I'm the one having fun!
I'll be going with my brother who has a Porcshe 911 turbo, so I'll be a happy passenger for the most part. I just fancy driving my car about a bit, just to get the feel for it.
Before going thoroughly check your car, make sure you don't have any fluid leaks or anything on the verge of failing plus the usual checks - brakes, tyres, etc..
On a first trip try to start by getting a few passenger laps, preferably with people who know their way round. Assuming they are competent, ask them to drive at about 80% of their normal pace. It is really helpful to get a view of the circuit and the lines.
After that go to rent4ring or RSR or rent-race car and rent something that is insured.
rent4ring at least do a free briefing that anyone can attend which will give you a good intro.
For your first driven laps get someone to sit in with you to help watch your mirrors and look out for faster cars.
When driving the circuit, keep right, watch your mirrors, move over and indicate for faster cars. Remember many corners are unsighted and almost all have a very late apex and benefit from a very late turn in.
On a first trip try to start by getting a few passenger laps, preferably with people who know their way round. Assuming they are competent, ask them to drive at about 80% of their normal pace. It is really helpful to get a view of the circuit and the lines.
After that go to rent4ring or RSR or rent-race car and rent something that is insured.
rent4ring at least do a free briefing that anyone can attend which will give you a good intro.
For your first driven laps get someone to sit in with you to help watch your mirrors and look out for faster cars.
When driving the circuit, keep right, watch your mirrors, move over and indicate for faster cars. Remember many corners are unsighted and almost all have a very late apex and benefit from a very late turn in.
http://nurburgring.org.uk/
Check out this site, Ben Lovejoys site, very comprehensive look at all things Nordschlieffe related.
Have been myself 3 times on a bike, and a couple in a car including one where I rented a Swift off of the above mentioned Rent4Ring ( highly recommended if you can afford it , but not a neccessity ). If you,re just going for a few tourist laps , try and get out earlyish as the track is usually quite clear and as long as you realise its not a race and you,re a competent enough driver you should be ok. After lunch on a busy hot August weekend afternoon is a different matter though.
Still remember the buzz from my first ever lap ( on a yamaha fazer 1000 I,d had for 5 days ), adrenalin trip or what.
Personally my next trip will be an organized track day there though in my little hatchback.
Check out this site, Ben Lovejoys site, very comprehensive look at all things Nordschlieffe related.
Have been myself 3 times on a bike, and a couple in a car including one where I rented a Swift off of the above mentioned Rent4Ring ( highly recommended if you can afford it , but not a neccessity ). If you,re just going for a few tourist laps , try and get out earlyish as the track is usually quite clear and as long as you realise its not a race and you,re a competent enough driver you should be ok. After lunch on a busy hot August weekend afternoon is a different matter though.
Still remember the buzz from my first ever lap ( on a yamaha fazer 1000 I,d had for 5 days ), adrenalin trip or what.
Personally my next trip will be an organized track day there though in my little hatchback.
as others have said the most sensible route is to hire something for a few laps.
I've used rent4ring with the swifts and Martin at Hotel Burgstube has renault twingo 133's for similar money http://www.burgstube.com/rentals.html
I've used rent4ring with the swifts and Martin at Hotel Burgstube has renault twingo 133's for similar money http://www.burgstube.com/rentals.html
Mikes2k said:
http://www.rent4ring.de/en/
Rent a swift from here...
Fantastic guys with well prepped cars and fully insured.
Dale will give you a safety briefing before you go out and lots of good tips.
This!!!!!!!!!!Rent a swift from here...
Fantastic guys with well prepped cars and fully insured.
Dale will give you a safety briefing before you go out and lots of good tips.
GC8 said:
Without wishing to appear argumentitive: its nothing like any other track. Thats one of the things that a newcomer needs to realise.
that depends on your mentality and the way you look at / do things .some people build barriers in their minds , for example ooh this car is rear engined , this car is front engined etc etc . To me its a car , the end .
The Nordschleife , TO ME is a track ; longer , narrower etc however just a track .
Theres no sorcery , it is a track .
wtdoom said:
GC8 said:
Without wishing to appear argumentitive: its nothing like any other track. Thats one of the things that a newcomer needs to realise.
that depends on your mentality and the way you look at / do things .some people build barriers in their minds , for example ooh this car is rear engined , this car is front engined etc etc . To me its a car , the end .
The Nordschleife , TO ME is a track ; longer , narrower etc however just a track .
Theres no sorcery , it is a track .
Just learning which way it goes next takes hours.
The scary thing about the ring is you THINK you are taking it easy, driving at 7-8/10, then you find yourself being sucked into it & having a moment, without even realising you were going quite as hard!
Got to agree with the poster above who says treat it like a country road, there are some very deceptive corners & crests, plus you will have local lunatics in GT3s/CSLs etc coming past you at Mach 3! Great fun but picking your times to drive are vital, my first lap ever was in my mates Clio 182, just after lunch.... It was good fun, but I spent most of my lap indicating right & trying to avoid being torpedoed by the aforementioned!
Don't be the fool that shuts the track trying to be a hero!
On a more fun note, it is a good laugh whatever you drive, I was out in a mates E90M3 & we were following another mate in his tuned 996 turbo.... We both got dusted by Fiat 500, it was comedy fast through the twisty sections!!
Got to agree with the poster above who says treat it like a country road, there are some very deceptive corners & crests, plus you will have local lunatics in GT3s/CSLs etc coming past you at Mach 3! Great fun but picking your times to drive are vital, my first lap ever was in my mates Clio 182, just after lunch.... It was good fun, but I spent most of my lap indicating right & trying to avoid being torpedoed by the aforementioned!
Don't be the fool that shuts the track trying to be a hero!
On a more fun note, it is a good laugh whatever you drive, I was out in a mates E90M3 & we were following another mate in his tuned 996 turbo.... We both got dusted by Fiat 500, it was comedy fast through the twisty sections!!
Learn the track first on Gran Turismo, then bung on some sticky tyres for your trip and go for it: target J. Clarkson's laptime in the Jag.
Bear in mind that you almost certainly won't be insured for driving your own car on the track, and if you're involved in any kind of incident the other parties, circuit owners and authorites will expect you to be insured. And they're German, so they don't have a sense of humour about such things.
www.rent4ring.de (other car rental providers are available)
Bear in mind that you almost certainly won't be insured for driving your own car on the track, and if you're involved in any kind of incident the other parties, circuit owners and authorites will expect you to be insured. And they're German, so they don't have a sense of humour about such things.
www.rent4ring.de (other car rental providers are available)
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