Save The Nurburgring!

[Martian O]

What's happening with the 'Ring?

http://goo.gl/FdNAN

[RDMcG]

This issue has been around for a while. My take is that the NS got over-publicized in the TG/internet era and people saw a commercial opportunity, (of course the whole economic boom was rolling when all this happened). Now the chickens are coming home to roost.

I much preferred the slightly shabby buildings to the new, soulless stuff, but at least its all on the F1 track rather than the Nordschleife. The little village is basically unchanged. During the week its still possible to get out there without massive overcrowding.
I think the real worry would be if they jack up the prices to something crazy, but I don't think the track can carry the debt service alone, so they will try to get the hotels full with whatever additional events they can dream up. Given the nature of the place, who would put up a roller coaster?....it sht track not enough?

[Martian O]

I was there a couple of months ago and can echo the soul-less feel the new place has.

And don't get me started on having to use a Ring Card!

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

[Harry Monk]

RDMcG said:

My take is that the NS got over-publicized in the TG/internet era

If I may take the opportunity to put to rest one particular urban myth.

The day Clarkson filmed the Top Gear/Jag S Type 10 minute lap, the place was utterly rammed. Queues stretching along Dottinger Hohe to get off the track, a queue running up to the Altes Forsthaus to get into the paddock etc. So it's not as if Top Gear alone is responsible for hordes of gapers descending on the place. yes, it is better known as a result but if you saw visitor numbers (the real ones not the made up ones), you'd be quite surprised. They haven't grown any since then.

[Thorburn]

Harry Monk said:

RDMcG said:

My take is that the NS got over-publicized in the TG/internet era

If I may take the opportunity to put to rest one particular urban myth.

The day Clarkson filmed the Top Gear/Jag S Type 10 minute lap, the place was utterly rammed. Queues stretching along Dottinger Hohe to get off the track, a queue running up to the Altes Forsthaus to get into the paddock etc. So it's not as if Top Gear alone is responsible for hordes of gapers descending on the place. yes, it is better known as a result but if you saw visitor numbers (the real ones not the made up ones), you'd be quite surprised. They haven't grown any since then.

I think they mean more since the spread of videos of the circuit online and its introduction in many computer games. I don't think I'd ever heard as anything more than a contemporary F1 circuit until Grand Prix Legends came out.

[kusee pee]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

You can avoid the charge by using the stairs down from the cafe!

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

You can avoid the charge by using the stairs down from the cafe!

You mean I have to wee on the stairs ! They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe.

[Martian O]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

..They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe....

So you pay ~25E for a lap, extornionate prices for mediocre food, then 50c for a slash, it's going downhill.

At least the crook on the till at the old cafe has gone!

Best to go into Nurburg and eat/drink at one of the non-RingCard establishments.

[Harry Monk]

Martian O said:

At least the crook on the till at the old cafe has gone!

Always used to pee me off the way he would give change. You'd hold your hand out for the change, then he'd unsmilingly move past your hand and put the change in th etray.

Shortly before he lost the contract for the place, I got my own back. He put his hand out for the money, I fixed him with a look and put it in the tray. I thought he was going to hit me. Petty, I know, but enormously satisfying!

[Martian O]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

..They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe....

They are taking the p!ss!

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

Martian O said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

..They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe....

So you pay ~25E for a lap, extornionate prices for mediocre food, then 50c for a slash, it's going downhill.

At least the crook on the till at the old cafe has gone!

Best to go into Nurburg and eat/drink at one of the non-RingCard establishments.

So I get my car parked in the car park then have to walk back to the Tiergarten to go to the loo just before I do a lap of the 'Ring ???? !!!!!!!! I don't think so !!!

I do have to admit I did ignore the old German man few times ( the loo really did smell awful) even though he keep banging the money box as I went passed him.

[kusee pee]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

You can avoid the charge by using the stairs down from the cafe!

You mean I have to wee on the stairs ! They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe.

Maybe something has changed since I was there in the summer. The charge was being taken when entering from the lower/outside doors but if you go through the cafe and down the stairs to the same toilets you could avoid it. Maybe they're onto my scam now!

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

You can avoid the charge by using the stairs down from the cafe!

You mean I have to wee on the stairs ! They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe.

Maybe something has changed since I was there in the summer. The charge was being taken when entering from the lower/outside doors but if you go through the cafe and down the stairs to the same toilets you could avoid it. Maybe they're onto my scam now!

The money taker sits outside the female loo so either way they want my money.

[kusee pee]

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

kusee pee said:

Mrs Muttleysnoop said:

Do not get me started on the 'Ring card, a real money making cash cow or the 50c to use the smelly loo.

Edited by Mrs Muttleysnoop on Wednesday 10th November 14:34

You can avoid the charge by using the stairs down from the cafe!

You mean I have to wee on the stairs ! They are charging 50c for the loo underneath the cafe.

Maybe something has changed since I was there in the summer. The charge was being taken when entering from the lower/outside doors but if you go through the cafe and down the stairs to the same toilets you could avoid it. Maybe they're onto my scam now!

The money taker sits outside the female loo so either way they want my money.

Aha, yes I can see that my scam may not work as well for you!

[The Game]

Martian O said:

What's happening with the 'Ring?

http://goo.gl/FdNAN

Even Sabine seems worried, bad times ahead methinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplEKGs6Yj4

[Mermaid]

The bean counters seem to be fully in charge.

But it seems to me, times have moved on and the motorsport entertainment industry is also moving on.

[996TT_STEVO]

Need to get the message out... I have to say I am gutted right now

[RDMcG]

Just saw the updates. This is appalling. They are ruining the place.

[mike58]

Interesting,I visited the 'Ring for the first time in sept this year and saw a lot of the commercialisation at the F1 track , totaly empty, the 'Ring was mobbed. I think it would be short sighted to allow this icon to fail.