Nordschleife for Dummies
Discussion
Has anyone read the comments from the author of this web site on his experience of using a 996 c2 at the ring ? I think he described the car as a "shitebox". He seemed to know a bit about cars.
A bit disconcerting for me as one day, when I grow up and become a man, I was hoping to go there in the one I am buying. Any views ?
A bit disconcerting for me as one day, when I grow up and become a man, I was hoping to go there in the one I am buying. Any views ?
I was there that day, and I met the fellow in question. The 996 hire car he had was indeed a bit ropey. I would also guess he was overbraking a bit. More than a bit actually.
A quick car is not neccessarily the best for learning the NS. Spend a bit of time in a slower car until you ge a feel for the place, then move up to the 911.
A quick car is not neccessarily the best for learning the NS. Spend a bit of time in a slower car until you ge a feel for the place, then move up to the 911.
Edited by Hammerwerfer on Saturday 4th August 05:42
Edited by Hammerwerfer on Saturday 4th August 08:45
Mark
C2 will be great round the ring but as I'm sure you appreciate you need some personal build up first to get any sort of enjoyment (as opposed to abject terror) from the ring.
Suggest at least 10 track days, of which first (couple?) should be at Bedford Autodrome, with at least 2 instruction sessions.
Also some on the limit handling instruction from Andy Walsh.
C2 will be great round the ring but as I'm sure you appreciate you need some personal build up first to get any sort of enjoyment (as opposed to abject terror) from the ring.
Suggest at least 10 track days, of which first (couple?) should be at Bedford Autodrome, with at least 2 instruction sessions.
Also some on the limit handling instruction from Andy Walsh.
If you're into cars, which I think it's fair to assume anyone on this forum is, then go to the Nordschleife. And start off driving it like you drive a twisty B road. You'll be passing as much stuff as passes you, so you'll be an average speed, and there's no reason you'll be getting in anyone's way. You're only really straying into danger when you start to drive it like a race track, which there's no need to do until you've got 30-40 laps under your belt and are on your 4th or 5th trip there.
There's pressure in both the German and EU Parliaments to close the 'ring, and given time, I think they'll be successful, as it's very un-PC to tolerate people doing things where so many people get hurt.
So, if you're thinking about going, find a suitable weekend and go. It's flipping brilliant.
There's pressure in both the German and EU Parliaments to close the 'ring, and given time, I think they'll be successful, as it's very un-PC to tolerate people doing things where so many people get hurt.
So, if you're thinking about going, find a suitable weekend and go. It's flipping brilliant.
willdew said:
There's pressure in both the German and EU Parliaments to close the 'ring, and given time, I think they'll be successful, as it's very un-PC to tolerate people doing things where so many people get hurt.
Ah, yes. That would be a brilliant scheme... to shut down the public days and put a thousand people out of work.
Can you imagine...people actually wanting to do something fun at their own risk.
That's no good - we'll have to protect them from themselves.
The ironic thing that, over the course of a year, few people are actually hurt at the 'ring. Of those, almost all are bikers who - indisputably - are aware of the risks and willingly accept them.
I wonder if the mental midgets in Brussels are going to ban skiing? No, wait, they wouldn't do that - because too many of them like to ski.
These authoritarians are scum - on their better days.
turbo-ww said:
What's the best (safest) way to do the 'ring?
I believe you can just arrive, pay a few euros, and drive, but I've heard that you encouter allsorts. Coaches/Bikes/2CV's - All driven at various speeds...
I was there last Thursday for Ron Simons 75 Experience (http://www.75experience.co.uk/ ). PHer Tertius organised it and asked if I wanted to tag along with the group. I decided that it has to be pretty much the best option for a novice like me so I did. I certainly am NOT ready to take the GT3 there yet after all! It was not a public day when I did it either (so an extra 150 euros, but all day long. However, that also meant that we were sharing the track with VLN race cars and loads of fairly exotic road machinery).I believe you can just arrive, pay a few euros, and drive, but I've heard that you encouter allsorts. Coaches/Bikes/2CV's - All driven at various speeds...
Basically, they supply you with a stripped and prepped Alfa Romeo 75 and some excellent instruction. You share the car with another driver so you can do stints of a couple of laps at a time so that loss of your concentration isn't anywhere near as serious a risk. The cars superficially look quite rough and ready, but are effective and good fun to drive.
The even better part, however, is that your worst case losses are effectively capped doing it this way at the armco charge cap (hit the barriers and you will get billed by the circuit - not sure what the max charge is though) and the write off value of the Alfa (which is only about 4000euros IIRC).
Caution, however: last Thursday the weather on the ring was abysmal - starting with drizzle with heavy mist coming in and gradually ramping up to full cloudburst. There were a lot of crashes, including a 993GT2, 997RS, a couple of BMW race cars, Ferrari 360 and so on. Also, two of the Alfas...
Consequently, I had an instructor sitting with me for the afternoon when it got really tricky who essentially called the course for me and taught me a LOT about how to drive it.
As a 'safe' introduction to driving the ring (if there could be said to be such a thing), I think you will really struggle to do better. As for value it is unbeatable - what I learned from Ron, Brendan and Ed would be worth a significant premium, even before considering that it also included the car, fuel and laps (I managed to get in 11, which is a lot of seat time in that weather).
Very enjoyable day - highly recommended.
flemke said:
willdew said:
There's pressure in both the German and EU Parliaments to close the 'ring, and given time, I think they'll be successful, as it's very un-PC to tolerate people doing things where so many people get hurt.
Ah, yes. That would be a brilliant scheme... to shut down the public days and put a thousand people out of work.Can you imagine...people actually wanting to do something fun at their own risk.
That's no good - we'll have to protect them from themselves.
The ironic thing that, over the course of a year, few people are actually hurt at the 'ring. Of those, almost all are bikers who - indisputably - are aware of the risks and willingly accept them.
I wonder if the mental midgets in Brussels are going to ban skiing? No, wait, they wouldn't do that - because too many of them like to ski.
These authoritarians are scum - on their better days.
However..... I hold up a champion of the 'ring; the current and hopefully temporary Prime Monster of the UK and the former "Cancellor of any Fun", ole Gordon, and state his views;
GORDON will keep the 'ring open because GORDON can reap some fukkin tax out of it.
(If he manages to secure the chancellory of Germany. Which, I understand, Angela Merkel promised to him whilst they were at dinner at a Bratwurst restaurant in Baden Baden a few months ago.)
Ahem...
ADDLED said:
I am sorry Flemke,.. your opinions suggest to me that you are a free thinking and intelligent individual, trying to live your lie to the full and have fun at your own risk. I agree with your lifestyle as you make no negative demand on society, you sound like a thoroughly decent bloke and therefore perhaps you can help me indulge my need for speed and we can tick off a few laps under your esteemed tutelage.
However..... I hold up a champion of the 'ring; the current and hopefully temporary Prime Monster of the UK and the former "Cancellor of any Fun", ole Gordon, and state his views;
GORDON will keep the 'ring open because GORDON can reap some fukkin tax out of it.
(If he manages to secure the chancellory of Germany. Which, I understand, Angela Merkel promised to him whilst they were at dinner at a Bratwurst restaurant in Baden Baden a few months ago.)
Ahem...
I don't know about the "intelligent" part.However..... I hold up a champion of the 'ring; the current and hopefully temporary Prime Monster of the UK and the former "Cancellor of any Fun", ole Gordon, and state his views;
GORDON will keep the 'ring open because GORDON can reap some fukkin tax out of it.
(If he manages to secure the chancellory of Germany. Which, I understand, Angela Merkel promised to him whilst they were at dinner at a Bratwurst restaurant in Baden Baden a few months ago.)
Ahem...
I am less convinced than are many people that everything that the government does is in order to extract more coin from the citizenry.
To be sure, that is a very high priority to them.
What is even higher, I daresay, is their conviction that they know what is best for us poor benighted fools and, furthermore, that it is their right and duty to impose upon us their superior ways.
Their irresistible belief in their own higher wisdom is what drove most of them to enter politics in the first place and, as they rise up the ladder of power, their deluded self-confidence grows at the same rate as grows the number of sycophants buzzing around them and kissing their asses.
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