Nurburgring....what's all the fuss about?
Discussion
I was tempted to make my first trip to the 'ring recently. Theres so much hype about it.
But then I thought about it, It may be an (apparently) incredible piece of tarmac but:
1. you spend a fortune (roughly £250 in fuel in my car...at least, not even including the ferry/chunnel) just getting to and from.
2. you pay to stay there and to drive on it.
3. you're driving on a racetrack with no real runoffs, frequent accidents, people driving similarly rapidly around you with NO INSURANCE should things go tits up.
4. lots of queuing to drive on said road/track (from what I can gather)
Whereas, I know quite a few routes locally that more than give me the thrills I need (given the right weather/traffic conditions and all *ahem* within the speedlimits) - I know the roads like the back of my hand I'M INSURED should the worst happen, there aren't people driving recklessly bearing down on me, and I don't spend much getting to/from said roads.
Or a trackday locally, with proper runoffs and less spent getting to and from.
What's the benefit of a ring trip when compared to a decent drive on your favourite road, followed by a long weekend on a beach somewhere (would possibly cost less...or even better...with a hire car!) then a decent drive when you get home?
It just seems like people go just to say they've driven it. I'd like to, but I just cant justify the cost, as opposed to spending similar money on my car or a holiday in the sun.
Discuss...
But then I thought about it, It may be an (apparently) incredible piece of tarmac but:
1. you spend a fortune (roughly £250 in fuel in my car...at least, not even including the ferry/chunnel) just getting to and from.
2. you pay to stay there and to drive on it.
3. you're driving on a racetrack with no real runoffs, frequent accidents, people driving similarly rapidly around you with NO INSURANCE should things go tits up.
4. lots of queuing to drive on said road/track (from what I can gather)
Whereas, I know quite a few routes locally that more than give me the thrills I need (given the right weather/traffic conditions and all *ahem* within the speedlimits) - I know the roads like the back of my hand I'M INSURED should the worst happen, there aren't people driving recklessly bearing down on me, and I don't spend much getting to/from said roads.
Or a trackday locally, with proper runoffs and less spent getting to and from.
What's the benefit of a ring trip when compared to a decent drive on your favourite road, followed by a long weekend on a beach somewhere (would possibly cost less...or even better...with a hire car!) then a decent drive when you get home?
It just seems like people go just to say they've driven it. I'd like to, but I just cant justify the cost, as opposed to spending similar money on my car or a holiday in the sun.
Discuss...
Edited by crosseyedlion on Saturday 21st April 17:13
@ crosseyedlion
Well, I'd say its clear that you are not the type of person to be going to the Nring as you seemed to have convinced yourself out of it
But each person is different and through that they will have their own strength of desire and own specific reason for and against.
For me simply put, the track is a fantastic experience.
Nothing realy like it anywhere else in the world. Each lap is a different experience.
You go there with your own objectives, whether that be a nice steady sighter, or a "see what my car can do" mentality.
Your specific goals/reasoning will determin for you whether it is 'worth it' or not.
But for many who have been it is usually an overwhelming 'YES' !
Well, I'd say its clear that you are not the type of person to be going to the Nring as you seemed to have convinced yourself out of it
But each person is different and through that they will have their own strength of desire and own specific reason for and against.
For me simply put, the track is a fantastic experience.
Nothing realy like it anywhere else in the world. Each lap is a different experience.
You go there with your own objectives, whether that be a nice steady sighter, or a "see what my car can do" mentality.
Your specific goals/reasoning will determin for you whether it is 'worth it' or not.
But for many who have been it is usually an overwhelming 'YES' !
Been there 3 times and can't wait to go back. In my opinion no uk track comes close. The length, the corners, the andrenaline rush and the history.
An amazing place that is rightly celebrated despite the recent bad press.
If you feel like a local circuit will satisfy your needs then good on ya. Its jusy you'll never realise what youve been missing out on....,
An amazing place that is rightly celebrated despite the recent bad press.
If you feel like a local circuit will satisfy your needs then good on ya. Its jusy you'll never realise what youve been missing out on....,
To be honest, a lot of what you say is accurate, however I can't agree! I've had the pleasure of spending a long weekend there & it was the best 4 days ever!
The track is amazing, not just as a track either but the heritage & history in the museum & local bars etc is a must for any motor racing fan.
You are spot on about the risks, but go there with full understanding of the risks & knowledge of your/your cars ability & it's amazing. 12.9 miles of the best B road you could ever imagine, with no speed limits, no police, no oncoming traffic. Just you, your chosen car & several other car enthusiasts driving to have fun.
I guess if you don't see the appeal maybe you wouldn't enjoy it as I did (not criticising, we're all different after all!) but for me it was something I had to do. & will be doing again.
Can't really explain the place on here, it needs to be experienced! Imagine a town full of fellow enthusiasts, & that's before you even get to the track.
Try it. You might like it.
James
The track is amazing, not just as a track either but the heritage & history in the museum & local bars etc is a must for any motor racing fan.
You are spot on about the risks, but go there with full understanding of the risks & knowledge of your/your cars ability & it's amazing. 12.9 miles of the best B road you could ever imagine, with no speed limits, no police, no oncoming traffic. Just you, your chosen car & several other car enthusiasts driving to have fun.
I guess if you don't see the appeal maybe you wouldn't enjoy it as I did (not criticising, we're all different after all!) but for me it was something I had to do. & will be doing again.
Can't really explain the place on here, it needs to be experienced! Imagine a town full of fellow enthusiasts, & that's before you even get to the track.
Try it. You might like it.
James
ali4390 said:
Didn't we just have this topic recently?
+1Read on the other topic: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lot of info and sharing of experiences there.
As I said in the above thread, you really don't get it until you have experienced it in real life. Not on pictures, video or games - you need to see it to get it.
In a few years time, your local a road is likely to still be open. The same may not be able to be said for the ring.
Could be one of those "I drove there" stories you tell to your grandchildren as they listen in awe about what it was like when you could run side by side with aupercars, and no speed limits...
Could be one of those "I drove there" stories you tell to your grandchildren as they listen in awe about what it was like when you could run side by side with aupercars, and no speed limits...
Because its there!
It is an experience & everyone should do at least one lap of the ring before they die. I have done that - just one single solitary lap in a Capri.
Scared myself s
tless however now I am older, wiser & vastly more experienced behind the wheel I will, one day soon, return.
I don't know anyone who has done the ring who has ever regretted it. I also know someone who rolled their car into a gravel trap.
His response to that? He went back the following year in his rebuilt car just to exorcise his demons. Didn't put him off at all as he said that he simpy ran out of talent, went into a corner too quickly & ended up on his roof.
Don't convince yourself not to go - you will regret it if you do.
It is an experience & everyone should do at least one lap of the ring before they die. I have done that - just one single solitary lap in a Capri.
Scared myself s
tless however now I am older, wiser & vastly more experienced behind the wheel I will, one day soon, return.I don't know anyone who has done the ring who has ever regretted it. I also know someone who rolled their car into a gravel trap.
His response to that? He went back the following year in his rebuilt car just to exorcise his demons. Didn't put him off at all as he said that he simpy ran out of talent, went into a corner too quickly & ended up on his roof.
Don't convince yourself not to go - you will regret it if you do.
DocJock said:
Then drive it on a trackday. Easy to get insurance for that.
Or hire a car from Rent4Ring or RSR and do a touristenfahrten.
It gets stupidly, horrendously, expensive if you do it that way - almost to the extent that you could do a track day a month during the 'season' in the UK for less cost.Or hire a car from Rent4Ring or RSR and do a touristenfahrten.
Plus, the excess on the rental cars seems to be more than my track car is worth!
Went there last October for the first time. Fantastic! We went mid week on the assumption it would be quiet which it was. It was open from 1730 till 1900 so did two laps each day (and blagged a ride round in a Porsche 911 turbo..) and then visited Spa on the return trip. Planning to go back this year, anyone care to join us?
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