Nurburgring July 21st
Discussion
Some friends are going down to the ring at the end of the month, and ive been invited to go.
Ive said yes but im starting to get worried about the horror stories.
If i go (in the Rush) and drive swiftly not fast (effectively a few 'quick' sight seeing laps.. whats the chances of getting rear ended.. losing it.. having a fatal accident.
are there a lot of idiots down there or what?!
Ive said yes but im starting to get worried about the horror stories.
If i go (in the Rush) and drive swiftly not fast (effectively a few 'quick' sight seeing laps.. whats the chances of getting rear ended.. losing it.. having a fatal accident.
are there a lot of idiots down there or what?!
There are a lot of idiots and occasionally people do get caught up in someone else's accident. But that happens on the public road too. Having plenty of respect for the place is very healthy though.
Read Ben Lovejoy's website thoroughly. When you get there, read the rules - they're on a big board in the car park where you buy tickets. Put the marshal's office number in your mobile phone in case you arrive at the scene of a shunt and need to call it in. If the worst happens and you do have a bump yourself, don't be tempted to try to drive off - get behind the armco, walk up the track to a place where oncoming cars can see you safely (i.e. not halfway around a bend) and wave a hi-vis jacket or yellow flag to slow them down, call the marshal's office and tell them where you are. Even if your car looks fine and there's no damage to the armco, it's best to have them come and check it out so there's a record to save confusion.
The best thing to do when you first get there would be to find someone to give you a couple of passenger laps. Look out for any cars with the Northloop.co.uk logo (or register over there and post to see who's going to be there in advance) and ask if they wouldn't mind taking you around for a lap or two. 9 times out of 10 they'll be more than happy to help.
But overall, relax and enjoy it. It's an amazing place and a fantastic track. The only downside is that once you've done it, you'll want to go back again and again.
Read Ben Lovejoy's website thoroughly. When you get there, read the rules - they're on a big board in the car park where you buy tickets. Put the marshal's office number in your mobile phone in case you arrive at the scene of a shunt and need to call it in. If the worst happens and you do have a bump yourself, don't be tempted to try to drive off - get behind the armco, walk up the track to a place where oncoming cars can see you safely (i.e. not halfway around a bend) and wave a hi-vis jacket or yellow flag to slow them down, call the marshal's office and tell them where you are. Even if your car looks fine and there's no damage to the armco, it's best to have them come and check it out so there's a record to save confusion.
The best thing to do when you first get there would be to find someone to give you a couple of passenger laps. Look out for any cars with the Northloop.co.uk logo (or register over there and post to see who's going to be there in advance) and ask if they wouldn't mind taking you around for a lap or two. 9 times out of 10 they'll be more than happy to help.
But overall, relax and enjoy it. It's an amazing place and a fantastic track. The only downside is that once you've done it, you'll want to go back again and again.
You are correct to me cautious - there are many crashes. However good roadcraft (rather than racecraft), use of mirrors and following the Ring's rules should mean that you have a great time. I was terrified when I took my car on it first - but did follow the advice on BL's site and had a great time - so do it 
I'm going then - 19th to 22nd.
No idea how busy it's going to be, though shouldn't be too bad as it's not a UK bank holiday.
If you want a quiet time get there early, think it opens at 08:00 on the Sunday. Mid morn to mid afternoon will be the busiest getting quieter towards the evening.
If it's your first time just take it easy and keep an eye in your mirror as other traffic will come up behind you bloody quickly at times. You do get some real nobs on there who seem to think it's their private play ground!
Other than that, it's pretty awesome.
What car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
No idea how busy it's going to be, though shouldn't be too bad as it's not a UK bank holiday.
If you want a quiet time get there early, think it opens at 08:00 on the Sunday. Mid morn to mid afternoon will be the busiest getting quieter towards the evening.
If it's your first time just take it easy and keep an eye in your mirror as other traffic will come up behind you bloody quickly at times. You do get some real nobs on there who seem to think it's their private play ground!
Other than that, it's pretty awesome.
What car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
chrisr29 said:
I'm going then - 19th to 22nd.
What car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
cheers guysWhat car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
Read most of bens website.. thats what put the frighteners up me!!
hoping to go in the Rush:
I notice Ben suggest 95db's, im getting 98db do you think that will be a problem?
My biggest fear is definatly getting caught up with somebody else.. is there a minimum speed on the ring?
chrisr29 what will you be in?
No minimum speed. Treat it like a country road where you don't know what's coming next. Keep an eye on your mirrors and move and indicate right to allow faster cars to pass. Check your mirrors before turning in so you don't turn in on someone.
The limit is 95dB. However, they do not test everyone. If you act like a tit and rev the nuts off the car in the car park, they will test you and you will be banned. If you're careful and pull up to and through the barriers nice and quietly you should be okay.
The limit is 95dB. However, they do not test everyone. If you act like a tit and rev the nuts off the car in the car park, they will test you and you will be banned. If you're careful and pull up to and through the barriers nice and quietly you should be okay.
V8OWNER said:
chrisr29 said:
I'm going then - 19th to 22nd.
What car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
cheers guysWhat car will you be in? I'll keep an eye out for you.
Read most of bens website.. thats what put the frighteners up me!!
hoping to go in the Rush:
I notice Ben suggest 95db's, im getting 98db do you think that will be a problem?
My biggest fear is definatly getting caught up with somebody else.. is there a minimum speed on the ring?
chrisr29 what will you be in?
You'll be fine if you take it easy at first, it's not as scarey as people make out. It's worth going just for the ambiance really and the surrounding roads are great as well.
Where are you staying?
We usually stay here: http://www.agnesenhof.de/
About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
The Dorints pretty good if a little impersonal.
About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
The Dorints pretty good if a little impersonal.
chrisr29 said:
We usually stay here: http://www.agnesenhof.de/
About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
I'll second that !!! fantastic hospitality About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
and Chris, I believe you take full advantage of it !!
Edited by Stu247 on Tuesday 8th July 14:30
Stu247 said:
chrisr29 said:
We usually stay here: http://www.agnesenhof.de/
About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
I'll second that !!! fantastic hospitality About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
and Chris, I believe you take full advantage of it !!Edited by Stu247 on Tuesday 8th July 14:30
chrisr29 said:
Stu247 said:
chrisr29 said:
We usually stay here: http://www.agnesenhof.de/
About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
I'll second that !!! fantastic hospitality About 10 mins from circuit. The owners speak good English and know the meaning of hospitality.
and Chris, I believe you take full advantage of it !!Edited by Stu247 on Tuesday 8th July 14:30
Not sure if I'm 'allowed' to fit another trip in this year, not until I have indulged her for her 40th birthday ....
Next year is more likely...but...I will be back and the Agnesenhof will defo get my business
Hopefully we can all get together again at some point
Stu.
I recommend watching Derek Bell's lap of the ring a few times before you go out:
http://www.dukevideo.com/Cars/DVD/Marques/Marques%...
It is a cracking way of seeing the way the circuit goes. What it doesn't do is give much of a clue about gradient, camber and surface, but at least after watching it a few times (I must have watched about 100 laps before my first visit) you will be aware of where the raod goes despite blind crests and unsighted apexes.
There are plenty of youtube alternatives, but this has decent picture quality when watched on a larger screen.
The video includes a bunch of other circuits too by the way (Brands, Spa and Silverstone being the most useful probably).
http://www.dukevideo.com/Cars/DVD/Marques/Marques%...
It is a cracking way of seeing the way the circuit goes. What it doesn't do is give much of a clue about gradient, camber and surface, but at least after watching it a few times (I must have watched about 100 laps before my first visit) you will be aware of where the raod goes despite blind crests and unsighted apexes.
There are plenty of youtube alternatives, but this has decent picture quality when watched on a larger screen.
The video includes a bunch of other circuits too by the way (Brands, Spa and Silverstone being the most useful probably).
You will crash and die! - FACT!
The earth is flat - FACT!
Pots of gold lie at the end of rainbows - FACT!
Eddie Star ate my hamster - FACT!
or I could be talking the same complete b
ks you've heard elsewhere...
The only thing that you can say for sure is that YOU ALONE determine how fast you drive...
Go enjoy and return with stories of fast laps and copious steak intake!
The earth is flat - FACT!
Pots of gold lie at the end of rainbows - FACT!
Eddie Star ate my hamster - FACT!
or I could be talking the same complete b
ks you've heard elsewhere...The only thing that you can say for sure is that YOU ALONE determine how fast you drive...
Go enjoy and return with stories of fast laps and copious steak intake!
Nurburgsingh said:
The only thing that you can say for sure is that YOU ALONE determine how fast you drive...
Go enjoy and return with stories of fast laps and copious steak intake!
yeah its others that worry me!Go enjoy and return with stories of fast laps and copious steak intake!
Feel much more positive about it now.. ive read loads and watched lots of you tube!
the atomic punk said:
I recommend watching Derek Bell's lap of the ring a few times before you go out:
So far im going for lap after lap in a caterham on XBOX360.. what are your thoughts on that?V8, its really not like the 'dogems' impression you might get by reading some of the more colourful stories.
As Singh said, its really something you control by how you drive. When you're new you'll be quite slow (regardless of car & experience elsewhere) so its important to be super observant with your mirrors.
The longer you fail to notice a faster car/bike behind the more likely they are going to try to force an overtake & then you risk tangling with something because you move across not knowing its there.
It can be surprising just how quickly some of the really fast stuff can appear even when it seemed there was a lot of clear track behind you so you need to be checking every chance you comfortably can. The Zakspeed Viper will practically teleport in behind you.
Bear in mind there are plenty of people without track experience out there. If someone offers you an overtake avoid doing it in corners, I've seen a few people with the right-indicator on but then go to the apex on a left hander because they're not confident to hold their line to the outside. Had I gone for the offered overtake they would have come across and hit me.
Basically its not a problem and something you can have a lot of control over by being observant and courteous.
Car->Car crashes do happen occasionally but the overwhelming majority of incidents are single vehicle and due simply to drivers over doing it and running out of talent.
V8OWNER said:
So far im going for lap after lap in a caterham on XBOX360.. what are your thoughts on that?
I don't do computer games, so can't really say, but I imagine that it is just as good as watching the video, although I guess that you won't get to see Bell's racing lines. Having said that, given that there might be traffic on a public day, racing lines might be less relevant, and a ground effect Porsche 956 probably behaves differently and may require a slightly different approach from the rush in any event. Still a great video to watch from a pure entertainment perspective - mid way through a 6'41" lap as Jacky Ickx goes blasting past - "he's going quite quickly because he's on a qualifying lap whereas I'm going slowly becasue of the camera in the car"!!
I fail to see how watching a grainy sub 7 min lap of the ring will help any ring virgins do anything other than arrive early fro their appointmnet with their maker.
Stick with the Xbox, use it only as a very simple guide as to when the track goes left and right. What it doesnt give you is the bumps lumps and any real appreciation for gradient.
Start slow.
Stick with the Xbox, use it only as a very simple guide as to when the track goes left and right. What it doesnt give you is the bumps lumps and any real appreciation for gradient.
Start slow.
Personally I don't find the game (GT4 on PS2 in my case) all that useful, and I've stopped bothering with it. It just isn't a good enough representation of the real thing to be especially helpful.
However, the fact that I'm a total numpty when it comes to actually operating the game may well be a factor in this - I suspect I'm the only person on the world who is slower on GT4 than they are in real life.
In my opinion the best introduction to the 'ring is a passenger lap (or three) with someone who knows the circuit pretty well, followed by them sitting in as a passenger for your first few laps - calling the circuit and helping to watch your mirrors.
Tuition with people like RSR is well worth doing. The only caveats are:
a) it can take an age to get on and off the circuit, this can use up a lot of your tuition time; and
b) closures have the same effect
However, the fact that I'm a total numpty when it comes to actually operating the game may well be a factor in this - I suspect I'm the only person on the world who is slower on GT4 than they are in real life.
In my opinion the best introduction to the 'ring is a passenger lap (or three) with someone who knows the circuit pretty well, followed by them sitting in as a passenger for your first few laps - calling the circuit and helping to watch your mirrors.
Tuition with people like RSR is well worth doing. The only caveats are:
a) it can take an age to get on and off the circuit, this can use up a lot of your tuition time; and
b) closures have the same effect
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