Friday 24th January 2014

Ringside Seat: Events to look forward to

With the 'ring seemingly no closer to being sold, Dale is planning the year ahead

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While the spectre of the sale still looms over the Nurburgring and the future of our last bastion of life-in-your-own-hands driving hangs in doubt, I'm trying to stay positive. Briefly, the whole process could be halted by the EU, and the expected buyers (automotive industry players Capricorn) are stuck with their money in their pockets. For now.

So enough negativity, and let's take a look at the five events that I can't wait for this year...

There will be more touristenfahrten than ever...

1)The 6-hour VLN race

For those that don't know, the VLN is the premier national tin-top endurance race in Germany, and some might say the world. And the Opel 6-hour trophy race is the biggest race of the year. Expect over 200 entries ranging from GT3 Ferraris, McLarens and Porsches down to Fiestas, Peugeots and BMW 1 Series or two. Last year's race was an emotional rollercoaster for us lucky enough to take part and for the spectators it's a fantastic weekend of racing, normally followed by a Sunday of public driving madness...

When: August 23rd
Official site: http://vln.de/rennen.gb.php?id=2014-08-23

... and organised track days too

2)The ADAC 24-hour race (and warm-up)

With the absence of F1 from the Nurburgring this year (it alternates to Hockenheim every other year) I think the top draw race is the ADAC 24-hour race. For the first time ever, it will be proceeded by a 'warm-up' 6-hour Qualifying race on the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd. Various works teams have already confirmed their new 2014 entries (like Subaru with the new WRX). All the usual suspects will be pushing hard, Aston want the top result badly. But Porsche will have the new-shape GT3 race cars, and Audi are running high from the late, great Sean Edward's victory last year.

When: Qualifying race April 2nd to 3rd, main race June 19th to 22nd.
Official site: http://www.24h-rennen.de/en/official-website/

If driving the 'ring isn't enough of a challenge!

3) Three massive four-day public sessions

Normally there was only ever one four-day blowout of public driving at the 20.8km Nordschleife per year. Easter. But last year the 'Ring added a new event called 'Green Hell Driving Days' in October. Basically a good excuse to stick 4-days of touristenfahrten (public driving) together as a balancer for the end of the year. And it was so successful that for 2014 they've added another one in May.

When: Easter openings: April 18th to 21st
Green Hell Driving Days #1: May 1st to 4th
Green Hell Driving Days #2: October 3rd to 6th
Official site: http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/angebote/motor-action/green-hell-driving-days.html

Your view of the 24-hour half way through

4)24-hours of Rad Am Ring

Yeah, this is nothing to do with cars, but it's happening and I've committed to it (like a fool). And it does involve speeds of nearly 60mph, wheels, and 24 hours of racing around the Nordschleife. In the effort to build on my last two VLN class wins of 2013, I've vowed to get fitter in 2014. Last year I went from incapable of exercising to capable. Now, with some gentle persuasion from my peers, I'm entered in to this race alongside around a 1000 other racers. The thought crossed my mind to enter the 24-hour MTB race around the castle that runs at the same time, but they always need double the number of air ambulances compared to the skinny tyre boys...

When: July 25th to 27th
Official site: http://www.radamring.de/en/

2014 sure to be busy for Dale then!

5) More track days than ever before

Some people lament the rise of the expensive Nurburgring track day compared to the 'cheap' single-ticket model of lap-by-lap public driving. But as speeds increase, and the human race doesn't seem to get any smarter, I'm a big fan of track days. No tour buses, helmets on, bikes not allowed and you can run full laps without stopping for the ticket barrier every lap. There are three major players here, and they've all got several days lined up already. This year there are two UK companies as well. If you're worried about racking up a few million quid in uninsured third-party damages in a public session, or just want more track time and less worry, I'd suggest you take a look at some of these dates.

When: March through to October
Official sites: http://www.destination-nurburgring.com
http://www.circuit-days.co.uk
http://www.skylimitevents.com
http://www.trackdays.de

[Source: Joe Saward]

 

 

[RB Will]

Is that race the only time you would be allowed to cycle the ring? Or would it be ok if after the track is closed in an evening to just plonk me and bike over a barrier and cycle round? would this shortly be followed by me getting shot, run over, and torn apart by dogs before being ejected from the circuit, then charged for some armco?

[Dale Lomas]

RB Will said:

Is that race the only time you would be allowed to cycle the ring? Or would it be ok if after the track is closed in an evening to just plonk me and bike over a barrier and cycle round? would this shortly be followed by me getting shot, run over, and torn apart by dogs before being ejected from the circuit, then charged for some armco?

Good question, and officially, you can never enter the circuit.

I do hop the fence and cycle home on the track several times a week though. Here's some pointers...

• Officially the track is clear by 1900 on a weekend and 1930 on a weekday.
• In reality the last marshall car might not come past until 15-minutes after that.
• A bad accident on the last lap might result in lots of cars or bikes or emergency vehicles on the track for an hour or more.
• Keep your ears open. It's not unknown for manufacturers and magazines to do photoshoots at sunset or dusk. They're warned to watch out for silly locals on bikes and walking dogs, but I once had to dodge a Lambo doing a hot lap at around 8.10pm!

[Dakkon]

Already booked via circuit days for the 2nd April, shake down run at Rockingham a month before and Spa the day after the 'Ring, can't wait

[thatdude]

I know the winner of the ADAC endurance race - it's the VW Golf.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ger...


All jokes aside I'm hoping to get along to some motorsport events this year; I'm looking to attend some truck racing at brands hatch, some BSB at Snetterton and maybe some other days at brands hatch. I like practising my photography so if anyone wants some free photos taken on a track day let me know. They wont be brilliant but you can have them all, from completly out-of-focus to almost-in-focus

Edited by thatdude on Friday 24th January 14:43

[RB Will]

Dale Lomas said:

RB Will said:

Is that race the only time you would be allowed to cycle the ring? Or would it be ok if after the track is closed in an evening to just plonk me and bike over a barrier and cycle round? would this shortly be followed by me getting shot, run over, and torn apart by dogs before being ejected from the circuit, then charged for some armco?

Good question, and officially, you can never enter the circuit.

I do hop the fence and cycle home on the track several times a week though. Here's some pointers...

• Officially the track is clear by 1900 on a weekend and 1930 on a weekday.
• In reality the last marshall car might not come past until 15-minutes after that.
• A bad accident on the last lap might result in lots of cars or bikes or emergency vehicles on the track for an hour or more.
• Keep your ears open. It's not unknown for manufacturers and magazines to do photoshoots at sunset or dusk. They're warned to watch out for silly locals on bikes and walking dogs, but I once had to dodge a Lambo doing a hot lap at around 8.10pm!

Thanks for the tips, might bring the bike out in June then

[FestivAli]

Do they have separate track days for motorcycles? Or has there been that many accidents they are just saying it's cars only this year? Being bike-less and on the other side of the planet I'm not going to be furious if that is the case, I'm just curious.