First 'Ring visit
Discussion
Wh00sher said:
I maintain my car to a good standard and have never dropped oil on a circuit in 12 years of track driving, but just google Mclaren 650s foxhole crash to see what can happen or read it here https://www.bridgetogantry.com/mclaren-oil-spill-c...
Similar case at the end of last year where, as I understand it, a GT3 dropped coolant and caused this:- Car on scene early:
- Car arriving on scene shortly after:
Wh00sher said:
If your insurance policy excludes it, even if you quote European law, do you really want to have all the hassle that goes with it if they had to pay out for something like that incident and claimed it back off you ? I certainly don`t.
Indeed, I've read that the liability was €1.3m. That'll take a while to pay off.me and the Mrs went straight on in our own car and we didn't die 
It was pissing rain too. Best advice though, as said, go on a weekday. The evening sessions are usually something like 2.5 hours in the spring but there's barely a car in sight. It really is a lovely way to experience the ring.
Weekends/Easter etc. are really more for getting a look at the nice metal in the car park these days. I've seen things like an F40 and a Daytona in the car park previously :O The track is so busy though it can be pretty chaotic and even if you've got your wits about you, you can get collected by some lunatic.
That said, I would still like to go back in my own car but I would definitely prefer the mid-week sessions.
It was pissing rain too. Best advice though, as said, go on a weekday. The evening sessions are usually something like 2.5 hours in the spring but there's barely a car in sight. It really is a lovely way to experience the ring. Weekends/Easter etc. are really more for getting a look at the nice metal in the car park these days. I've seen things like an F40 and a Daytona in the car park previously :O The track is so busy though it can be pretty chaotic and even if you've got your wits about you, you can get collected by some lunatic.
That said, I would still like to go back in my own car but I would definitely prefer the mid-week sessions.
I'd be keen to hire a car for the ring. I know there are several places you an rent from.
There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
for me a evening session is less mad and cheaper at 25euro per lap. First time out I would be renting a swift and asking for a tutored lap its worth the money. You can do a all in rate with R4R which is 2 laps and a decent price. Apex I do love but the excess compared to R4R is mental.
After your happy then take your car out for a steady lap prehaps
After your happy then take your car out for a steady lap prehaps
Just to echo what others have said, the first 'ring visit is a memorable one. I only did 3 laps on my first visit, everyone felt as special as the one that preceded it.
I wouldn't get too hung up on tuition on your first time out there. It's a long old track and regardless of how many laps you've done on the Xbox, it's going to take some learning to be fast. Take it slow and smooth, otherwise losing your 'ring virginity might be a painful experience.
Make sure your car is ready for the abuse, the Nurburgring is without a doubt the hardest track I've driven on both car and driver. Someone will be along to make a joke about fuel tank straps, but seriously, your car will go through some serious punishment around there, and you need to drive it back, so make sure she's fighting fit.
Most of all, keep your eye on your mirrors and keep to the right of the track when you're going down a straight. Never assume that just because your mirrors were clear 5 seconds ago, that you can clip that apex, because the first time you see a well driven GT3 RS around there could be your last.
Oh, and have fun.
I wouldn't get too hung up on tuition on your first time out there. It's a long old track and regardless of how many laps you've done on the Xbox, it's going to take some learning to be fast. Take it slow and smooth, otherwise losing your 'ring virginity might be a painful experience.
Make sure your car is ready for the abuse, the Nurburgring is without a doubt the hardest track I've driven on both car and driver. Someone will be along to make a joke about fuel tank straps, but seriously, your car will go through some serious punishment around there, and you need to drive it back, so make sure she's fighting fit.
Most of all, keep your eye on your mirrors and keep to the right of the track when you're going down a straight. Never assume that just because your mirrors were clear 5 seconds ago, that you can clip that apex, because the first time you see a well driven GT3 RS around there could be your last.
Oh, and have fun.
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the comments and am definitely heading out this summer. In fact, am also thinking of heading to Spa at the same time. Last time I was there it was as pit crew to Richard Westbrook who was in the Formula Opel Euroseries. We actually did a few laps but instead of the Formula Opel we were in an Austin Montego Countryman. Eau Rouge was a bum clencher!
dannyDC2 said:
Make sure your car is ready for the abuse, the Nurburgring is without a doubt the hardest track I've driven on both car and driver.
I agree with all of your post except this bit. On my 1st trip I did 7 laps and was getting progressively faster and faster, all laps under 10mins. Compared to sessions at Donington, Silverstone and Besford the 'Ring is very very easy on your car whilst you are still learning.When you know the track and what bends are coming I'm sure that your statement is correct but after a few laps on a normal track you are very familiar with it and can push the car at 10/10ths, meaning that it os very hard on your car.
At the 'Ring (until you know the track like you would a smaller one) you generally will not be attacking the corners like at Bedford.
My first trip to the 'Ring I returned with brakes that were fine and the new tyres had very little wear.
Rick101 said:
I'd be keen to hire a car for the ring. I know there are several places you an rent from.
There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
Example price list and this one includes an excess insurance (at extra cost of course)There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
https://www.apex-nuerburg.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
Ahbefive said:
dannyDC2 said:
Make sure your car is ready for the abuse, the Nurburgring is without a doubt the hardest track I've driven on both car and driver.
I agree with all of your post except this bit. On my 1st trip I did 7 laps and was getting progressively faster and faster, all laps under 10mins. Compared to sessions at Donington, Silverstone and Besford the 'Ring is very very easy on your car whilst you are still learning.When you know the track and what bends are coming I'm sure that your statement is correct but after a few laps on a normal track you are very familiar with it and can push the car at 10/10ths, meaning that it os very hard on your car.
At the 'Ring (until you know the track like you would a smaller one) you generally will not be attacking the corners like at Bedford.
My first trip to the 'Ring I returned with brakes that were fine and the new tyres had very little wear.
I thought with the tuition questions the OP was looking to do some fast laps. Not recommended on your first trip, but after seeing my friend lap 8:02BTG on his first trip after around 10 laps in an old rusty Honda Civic, I realised it's possible!
dannyDC2 said:
Ahbefive said:
dannyDC2 said:
Make sure your car is ready for the abuse, the Nurburgring is without a doubt the hardest track I've driven on both car and driver.
I agree with all of your post except this bit. On my 1st trip I did 7 laps and was getting progressively faster and faster, all laps under 10mins. Compared to sessions at Donington, Silverstone and Besford the 'Ring is very very easy on your car whilst you are still learning.When you know the track and what bends are coming I'm sure that your statement is correct but after a few laps on a normal track you are very familiar with it and can push the car at 10/10ths, meaning that it os very hard on your car.
At the 'Ring (until you know the track like you would a smaller one) you generally will not be attacking the corners like at Bedford.
My first trip to the 'Ring I returned with brakes that were fine and the new tyres had very little wear.
I thought with the tuition questions the OP was looking to do some fast laps. Not recommended on your first trip, but after seeing my friend lap 8:02BTG on his first trip after around 10 laps in an old rusty Honda Civic, I realised it's possible!
I always try and make sure any car I take on track is up to the task. It'll get a thorough spanner check before and after any laps. Obviously I'll keep an eye on fluids etc too.
Have been watching your old 'Ring based vids Dan, in an effort to get more of a feel for the place than Project Cars allows. I'm always far more impressed by cars like the DC2 and E30 when they're being hustled along at speed, than things like Ferrari and the like. Especially when fully committed and making the most of their moderate power and grip.
dannyDC2 said:
I thought with the tuition questions the OP was looking to do some fast laps. Not recommended on your first trip, but after seeing my friend lap 8:02BTG on his first trip after around 10 laps in an old rusty Honda Civic, I realised it's possible!
Having an instructor (like myself) is not all about doing fast laps. We instructors at the Ring have so much knowledge that we can impart to the person asking for help. We are there to make sure that they get to play safe and understand nuances about the track that can very easily catch out anyone that is not as experienced as us or others on the track. Yes people can watch videos and play the game BUT there is no info in either, other than seeing the track go left right left right etc etc. We can assess bad habits in the driving that could have ramifications at a later point if not reigned in. Each and everyone has the choice if they want to man-up and ask for some help. As stated in every Ring thread, it can and does go wrong very quickly with severe financial hits, plus the prospect of lives being taken prematurely.
The place is cracking fun BUT it has to be remembered that it is not a game.
Well done your mate for the 8'02.
Have only ever done trackdays at the ring, first few visits I rented a car and got instruction with RSR, last yr took my own car for a double header but never went more than 8/10ths (still loads of fun), think its the best way to learn the Ring, higher standards of driving less traffic etc etc.
I use Moris to insure my car (have done bedford as well) and they were by far the most competitive and always had some wiggle room on initial quote too. Some other insurers take the p1ss with the premiums and excess tbh. Heading back for the double header DN 20 in Sep, much too long to wait though!
I use Moris to insure my car (have done bedford as well) and they were by far the most competitive and always had some wiggle room on initial quote too. Some other insurers take the p1ss with the premiums and excess tbh. Heading back for the double header DN 20 in Sep, much too long to wait though!
chopper602 said:
Example price list and this one includes an excess insurance (at extra cost of course)
https://www.apex-nuerburg.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
That was actually the one I had looked at. If I am reading it correctly you would still be looking at 499 euros x 2 plus the cost of the car hire.https://www.apex-nuerburg.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
There must be a cheaper way to do it. Even buying a German registered car would be relatively easy, getting it insured might be more difficult.
Rick101 said:
There must be a cheaper way to do it. Even buying a German registered car would be relatively easy, getting it insured might be more difficult.
A lot of german insurance companies are now having a rethink and excluding the Ring. Buying a german registered car is nit difficult but it needs to be registered to a german address.
Rick101 said:
That was actually the one I had looked at. If I am reading it correctly you would still be looking at 499 euros x 2 plus the cost of the car hire..
So if you write off the Cupra with all possible insurances on a 6 lap ticket you'll still have paid out: 49 + 699 + 499 + 499 + 10,000 = 11,746.Olivera said:
Rick101 said:
That was actually the one I had looked at. If I am reading it correctly you would still be looking at 499 euros x 2 plus the cost of the car hire..
So if you write off the Cupra with all possible insurances on a 6 lap ticket you'll still have paid out: 49 + 699 + 499 + 499 + 10,000 = 11,746.
king hell that's steep - even the hire costs are a little punchy (although I am tight), especially as you'll still have to cover the lap costs - E25 x 6 = extra E150chopper602 said:
Rick101 said:
I'd be keen to hire a car for the ring. I know there are several places you an rent from.
There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
Example price list and this one includes an excess insurance (at extra cost of course)There is still however the risk of a big excess to pay, certainly 4 figures.
Is there any way round this?
When I used to hire cars for UK use years ago instead of 'upgrading' each time I went down to Enterprise I bought a standalone policy that covered the excess on hire cars and gave a better level of cover than Enterprises own.
Possible or would policy restrictions not allow it??
https://www.apex-nuerburg.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
and at 700 euro a day it wont be long before Misha can get his own GT2
I shared a rented E92 M3 from RSR with a pal for a track day there a couple of yrs ago, did 16 laps between us (so not even that many each ), cost of the car rental was over Eur 2k alone add the entry fee of 600 odd and its basically Eur 3k for the day if u include fuel...too punchy to do that every time not to mention the 30k excess! By comparison last year a double day with my own car (R8 V10+) plus track insurance came in at a tad less than £2k much more cost effective and a better car as well of course.
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