Driving to Salzburg and the 'Ring

[aspender]

Hi all,

It looks like I need to be in Salzburg, Austria for the week of 13-17th November for work and am toying with the idea of driving over there and staying on for a few days longer to visit Munich, and possibly fit in my first trip to the Ring.

The vehicle of choice will be rather uninspiring I'm afraid. A BMW Mini, and a One at that.

I'm comfortable with doing the slog there and back in that car, but any idea of the best route?

Secondly, what is the Ring like at that time of year. I've noted that it is still open, but obviously there is a greater chance of bad weather. Are the Eiffel mountains likely to be snowbound in November? Is it best to forget it and save my first newbie trip for a time of the year likely to produce better conditions?

Thirdly, the Mini is a company car, so I'm not 100% certain I'd be covered by insurance on the Ring, and the thought of telling our fleet management why they have to shell out for a load of new triple armco doesn't inspire. What car hire options would I have? ;-)

Cheers,

Aidy.

Edited by aspender on Tuesday 15th August 10:10

[900T-R]

Ah, I thought I was the only Mini One company car driver here...

Anyways, strangely enough (as it's the most dangerous track I know by far) the 'Ring is about the only place you could get away with insurance in the case of the unthinkable, as it's technically a one-way toll road rather than a closed circuit track. Whether insurance would cover the armco is antoher matter, and personally I'd be a bit embarrassed to make an insurance claim after stacking my car on the 'Ring...

I'd reckon the MINI is actually a very nice starter car for those first tentative 'Ring laps, but it will likely struggle on the uphill sections. Just keep checking that rear-view mirror...

[F355GTS]

Tunnel to Calais, A16 to Ostende then motorway to Brussels, at Liege, take the A27 motorway South past Spa, Trier and then A6 via Kaiserslautern and above Stuttgart using the A7/A8 or A9 to drop down to Munich then A8 (becomes A1 in Austria) to Salzberg. You'll need a motorway pass for Austria, can be bought in the services in Germany nearing the border and you can buy, by the day (there maybe a minimum)

Alternatively bypass Liege almost to Cologne then take the A61 south then pick up the above route at Mannhiem

Depending on time of day it takes around 8.5 hours from Calais cruising around 90ish with short stops

[aspender]

Thanks for the info chaps.