Nurburgring 2018

[baronbennyt]

So, a few private track day dates have already been published for the Nurburgring in 2018:

- Tuesday 24th April - Circuit Days
- Friday 25th May - #DN19
- Monday & Tuesday 27th & 28th August - Ringmeisters Prime
- Thursday & Friday 27th & 28th September - #DN20
- Friday 26th October - Circuit Days

Decisions, decisions...!

I'm going to try and take the Lotus 3-Eleven to the 'Ring this time, but only if the weather gods are smiling.

[akadk]

I’ve booked

[Jamonit]

I'm considering trying the "Ring " for the first time in 2018 but have only been doing track days in the UK in my Cayman GTS since I got it last year .
My new GT3 is due for delivery in Jan. but I am loathe ( scared ) to use it for my first visit to the Ring .
Should I use a Ring taxi , with instructor , for my first experience and if so any hints/tips . Also are the dates shown the best time for a newbie to give it a go ?
Any help and guidance much appreciated .

Rob .

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

I'm considering trying the "Ring " for the first time in 2018 but have only been doing track days in the UK in my Cayman GTS since I got it last year .
My new GT3 is due for delivery in Jan. but I am loathe ( scared ) to use it for my first visit to the Ring .
Should I use a Ring taxi , with instructor , for my first experience and if so any hints/tips . Also are the dates shown the best time for a newbie to give it a go ?
Any help and guidance much appreciated .

Rob .

Hi Rob,

I’ve been going to the ‘Ring for 10 years and I’m still learning!

My advice would be to rent something like a Suzuki Swift track car and do as many laps as you can to get to know the circuit.

The Swift is actually a lot of fun plus you won’t be going so fast that you’ll forget whether you’re coming or going.

Once you’re familiar with the Nordschleife (usually takes around 50 laps) you can take something more hairy round if you like.

At this circuit (more than most), however, it’s the driver’s skill and/or his/her experience that makes a quick lap rather than the car.

If you’re there when I am I’d be happy to take you round at a gentle pace to show you the lines.

Once you’ve been to the Green Hell you’ll find it very difficult to stop going, trust me!

Cheers,

Ben

[Jamonit]

Hi Ben ,
Thanks for the quick response . Can I ask why you have highlighted these particular dates . Are these the best days to get quality track time at the Nurburgring?
It would be great if we could meet up and I would certainly appreciate a " sedate " trip around in the Lotus . I say sedate because at full race pace I would be concentrating too hard on keeping my lunch down rather than the best lines .
I plan to hire a " taxi " with an instructor for a few(?) laps . Any views on the best operators .

Cheers , Rob .

[GiveItSomeWellie]

I'm booked on for the Circuit Days event on 26th October.

Anyone wishing to book before 1st January using the code "BTG2610" can get another £20 off of the already reduced price of £399.

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben ,
Thanks for the quick response . Can I ask why you have highlighted these particular dates . Are these the best days to get quality track time at the Nurburgring?
It would be great if we could meet up and I would certainly appreciate a " sedate " trip around in the Lotus . I say sedate because at full race pace I would be concentrating too hard on keeping my lunch down rather than the best lines .
I plan to hire a " taxi " with an instructor for a few(?) laps . Any views on the best operators .

Cheers , Rob .

Hi Rob,

Having lapped the Ring during my early years on the cheaper "tourist days" I would strongly advice against them, since: (1) they are now horribly overcrowded, (2) result in frequent stoppages, crashes and sometimes injuries, and (3) the opening hours are usually terribly inconvenient. They have basically become wacky racers or a demolition derby! I'm only partially joking.

Therefore, for the last 5 years or so I have only booked myself on UK private club days at the Ring with 'Destination Nurburgring' (http://www.destination-nurburgring.com/) and, separately, 'Circuit Days' (https://circuit-days.co.uk/). Although far from cheap, you get what you pay for: (1) exclusive use of the track for one or two days, (2) professional instruction and "taxi" rides are available, (3) almost everyone is a Brit and fairly sensible since they've paid up-front and also bring their pride and joys too. However, since most drivers on these days are quite experienced I'd just put a novice sticker on your rear bumper. This way everyone should respect you and give you plenty of room.

I'm likely to do the 'Destination Nurburgring' dates in August.

Cheers,

Ben

[Kev_Mk3]

I second renting a swift from Rent for Ring (do it early to get a RHD one) then you can pay for tuition and it will help you know end. A swift is set up and lap the ring all day every day no problems.

[RSbandit]

Would echo the sentiments above, I rented from RSR Nurburg for my first few visits started with a Megane then 135i up to E92 M3 before I took my own R8 this yr even still I got track insurance on that for piece of mind. Bringing my own car paying entry fee for two days with track insurance still worked out cheaper than hiring an M3 from RSR for one day so it's defo more cost effective once you get to the point of being confident enough to bring it. All the worst crashes you see on YouTube are almost all on touristen fahrt sessions too many idiots around so if you can avoid.

[RSbandit]

And getting instruction is an absolute necessity

[Jamonit]

Many thanks for the hints and tips from all you Nurburgring vets . This is when forums
like this are so helpful . Especially when people are sharing knowledge rather than rants !

So it looks like I'm going to hire a RHD car and get instruction for as many laps as I can stay alert and focussed . My current car is a PDK Cayman GTS so I would prefer an automatic - ideally mid engined or should the engine location not make much of a difference ?

I thought it best to do two days of afternoons only allowing me plenty of time for
R and R in between circuit time . And just as importantly some quality time with my long suffering / non driving wife who I've bribed with promises of sedate and non - aggressive autobahn travel , great food and fine wines .

Can one book , say , two concurrent pm slots with DN and is this a cost effective way of introducing myself to the " Ring " ?

It would be great to meet up if we can during my trip .

Rob .

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Many thanks for the hints and tips from all you Nurburgring vets . This is when forums
like this are so helpful . Especially when people are sharing knowledge rather than rants !

So it looks like I'm going to hire a RHD car and get instruction for as many laps as I can stay alert and focussed . My current car is a PDK Cayman GTS so I would prefer an automatic - ideally mid engined or should the engine location not make much of a difference ?

I thought it best to do two days of afternoons only allowing me plenty of time for
R and R in between circuit time . And just as importantly some quality time with my long suffering / non driving wife who I've bribed with promises of sedate and non - aggressive autobahn travel , great food and fine wines .

Can one book , say , two concurrent pm slots with DN and is this a cost effective way of introducing myself to the " Ring " ?

It would be great to meet up if we can during my trip .

Rob .

Hi Rob,

If I were you I’d book on the Destination Nurburgring x2 day event in August and rent a track car and instruction from Rent 4 Ring (www.rent4ring.de). This won’t be cheap but it would be the best introduction to the Green Hell, if you can afford it.

I’d be less concerned about the engine layout and ‘box of the rental track car and more preoccupied about something that will give you greatest safe exposure to the circuit at manageable cost - hence why many of us would recommend the Suzuki.

However, if you really want a rear drive automatic then Rent 4 Ring also offer a BMW 125i track car with paddle shift. This thing is pretty rapid and will be a lot of fun! Anything above this and you start entering the realms of serious cost, which wouldn’t be cost effective on your first visit.

When you’re not going round in the BMW with your instructor, you can get plenty of passenger rides with us.

Before you go, watch plenty of in-car YouTube footage of laps around the Ring. This will help you start memorising where the track goes!

Cheers

Ben

[RSbandit]

Jamonit said:

Many thanks for the hints and tips from all you Nurburgring vets . This is when forums
like this are so helpful . Especially when people are sharing knowledge rather than rants !

So it looks like I'm going to hire a RHD car and get instruction for as many laps as I can stay alert and focussed . My current car is a PDK Cayman GTS so I would prefer an automatic - ideally mid engined or should the engine location not make much of a difference ?

I thought it best to do two days of afternoons only allowing me plenty of time for
R and R in between circuit time . And just as importantly some quality time with my long suffering / non driving wife who I've bribed with promises of sedate and non - aggressive autobahn travel , great food and fine wines .

Can one book , say , two concurrent pm slots with DN and is this a cost effective way of introducing myself to the " Ring " ?

It would be great to meet up if we can during my trip .

Rob .

Unfortunately DN are full days only 9am to 4.30pm so you can't book an afternoon session as such...there are other track day organisers who sometimes do half days 9am to 1pm but these are quite rare. In any case a half day is far from ideal as if there's a crash to be cleaned up you can easily lose 60 mins of track time, not ideal if you've travelled far to be there.
I would recommend an automatic to start for sure, gives you a lot less to worry about while you are trying to learn the track. Engine position doesn't really matter, I drove a Megane R26R on my first visit which was a great tool around there not too much power but handled nicely. As Benny said it's the skill and knowledge of the driver that matters there more than anywhere else. The place is epic though an absolute must visit if you have any petrol in your veins! It was a bucket list item for me when I went there in 2014 first time ( was only meant to be a one off ) but I've been back every yr since ! I'm not sure when I'll be there next yr but the double header in Aug might be the trip, was the same this yr but with 35c heat and tyre melting track temperatures!

[baronbennyt]

Hi Rob

If you really want to push the boat out then I see RSR Nurburg offer for rental a Cayman GTS, which might be what you’re really after. But it’s going to be pricey! (www.rsrnurburg.com)

But if it were me I’d go for something more affordable like a Swift, Megane, Golf or BMW 1 Series (if you really want RWD).

It’s a long way to go so I’d definitely recommend a x2 day session since there can be track closures with accidents, it can downpour (even in mid summer) and you’ll need plenty of breaks!

Ben

[Jamonit]

Right , we're getting there . The chancellor is happy/ prepared to go with me ( phew ! ) on the DN August dates and I'll arrange to hire an appropriate car .
Only one main thing left to sort out . Accommodation . Is it best to book somewhere close to the track and if so is there somewhere handy that ranks between Bates Motel and Michelin . I haven't bothered asking Trip Advisor because they've got me into bother before .

Rob .

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Right , we're getting there . The chancellor is happy/ prepared to go with me ( phew ! ) on the DN August dates and I'll arrange to hire an appropriate car .
Only one main thing left to sort out . Accommodation . Is it best to book somewhere close to the track and if so is there somewhere handy that ranks between Bates Motel and Michelin . I haven't bothered asking Trip Advisor because they've got me into bother before .

Rob .

As normal, I'll be staying at the Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel Nürburgring - a large fairly soulless hotel but it has a decent enough bar and restaurant, clean rooms, decent shower, secure parking and it's a stone's throw from the circuit.

https://www.lindner.de/en/nuerburgring-congress-mo...

[Jamonit]

baronbennyt said:

As normal, I'll be staying at the Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel Nürburgring - a large fairly soulless hotel but it has a decent enough bar and restaurant, clean rooms, decent shower, secure parking and it's a stone's throw from the circuit.

https://www.lindner.de/en/nuerburgring-congress-mo...

Hi Ben ,

Thank you . All sorted . I guess there's no need to book it too soon ? Now all I have to do wait for 9 months . Still I've got the summer to look forward to getting used to my new GT3 . I tend to do PCGB track days but would be interested in other " grown up " events . I noticed your photo of the Lotus was at Goodwood . What sort of stuff do you do ?

Rob .

[RSbandit]

Always stay at the Hotel am Tiergarten home to the famous Pistenklause resto and the steak on a stone. Hotel is nothing fancy but has everything you would need accommodation wise ...always a lot if nice metal parked around there as the restaurant very popular and it's only a few minutes from the track so location is good . A lot of people stay in Adenau which is a bigger town than Nurburg with alot more eating options and shops but it's about 15 min drive away.

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben ,

Thank you . All sorted . I guess there's no need to book it too soon ? Now all I have to do wait for 9 months . Still I've got the summer to look forward to getting used to my new GT3 . I tend to do PCGB track days but would be interested in other " grown up " events . I noticed your photo of the Lotus was at Goodwood . What sort of stuff do you do ?

Rob .

Hi Rob

I’m a member of PCGB too (I have a Cayman GT4 in the stable) and Goodwood is my local circuit since I’m based in Surrey. I tend to drive at this circuit either with PCGB or Goodwood’s own.

I’m also a regular at Castle Combe and Bedford, the former usually with Bell & Colvil or Lotus On Track and the latter with EVO Magazine.

I try and do the Ring and/or Spa at least once a year, mostly the Nordschleife since it’s my favourite circuit and it’s a good excuse to catch up with fellow petrolhead friends for two days!

Ben

[Pdelamare]

I can very much recommend Apex for everything. Hotel, car rental and instruction. Very friendly small hotel and a very good selection of cars. You can rent the cars one lap at a time.

Hotel is 5 star level but very very good value.

Edited by Pdelamare on Sunday 10th December 21:12