Thinking bout doing the Nurburgring alone first time from UK
Discussion
Anyone here done it?
To put it simple my friends are either not into cars, drive 2.0 diesels and all want me to give them a turn in my M140i when we arrive.
Simply no. Its not about setting records its the experience right?
So rather than them take the piss on my M140i I'm taking it alone. And yes it's only an M140i yadda yadda.
I wouldn't let anyone touch my Panda 100HP let alone any of my cars. Bar my wife
To put it simple my friends are either not into cars, drive 2.0 diesels and all want me to give them a turn in my M140i when we arrive.
Simply no. Its not about setting records its the experience right?
So rather than them take the piss on my M140i I'm taking it alone. And yes it's only an M140i yadda yadda.
I wouldn't let anyone touch my Panda 100HP let alone any of my cars. Bar my wife
My first trip there in 2014 was solo as it was a bucket list thing for me and pretty much none of my pals were into cars, thought it would be a one off trip but I was bitten by the bug big time! In subsequent yrs I managed to rope in a mate who is into cars but he had to bail at short notice from our 2017 trip. It’s v doable alone and if your happy with your own company it’s fine , get chatting to plenty of people when parked up in between laps anyway but this was on track days as I’ve never done TF.
This was me at the latter end of the year in 2019.
I booked a Nurburgring Circuit Days Track Day for October '19. There was also a TF session the day before.
I booked the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. Booked accommodation in Adenau via booking.com, all as a single rider and enjoyed & embraced every second.
The whole event was fantastic and great experience through and through. I didn't feel as though the track day was good value and don't feel inclined to rebook for my return.
I am now more interested in finding a suitable bout of TF summer sessions and booking accommodation/, travel accordingly.
I would say just book it and look forward to it. I was as amateur as they come - no track experience and no driving on the continent experience but both were a non-issue. Get it booked
I booked a Nurburgring Circuit Days Track Day for October '19. There was also a TF session the day before.
I booked the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. Booked accommodation in Adenau via booking.com, all as a single rider and enjoyed & embraced every second.
The whole event was fantastic and great experience through and through. I didn't feel as though the track day was good value and don't feel inclined to rebook for my return.
I am now more interested in finding a suitable bout of TF summer sessions and booking accommodation/, travel accordingly.
I would say just book it and look forward to it. I was as amateur as they come - no track experience and no driving on the continent experience but both were a non-issue. Get it booked
Depends how much you enjoy your own company I guess. First time I drove there I was alone in the car but a couple of mates met me there. I enjoyed the drive even alone but I’d be bored without them there at the other end. It’s a cool place and to be honest I could spend weeks just relaxing in the cafe watching the cars roll past. There’s plenty of non car stuff to do though, beautiful walks, riverside towns to visit etc, if you have a mate that just likes a bit of travelling they’ll likely still enjoy themselves.
Few tips I picked up along the way;
Food is generally very good and decent value. Stay in the town if Adenau if you like a wonder about, there’s a few pubs/bars there, staying up near the GP track is nice but there’s not much going on of an evening.
Track wise, you’re right it’s not worth even thinking about how quick you’re going, just take it steady and treat it as a learning experience. It’s also worth thinking about what’s at stake if the worst happens. I done a very steady lap in my 340i but might be a bit more relaxed in my track car.
It’s a fantastic place, I can see what all the fuss is about now I’ve been.
Few tips I picked up along the way;
Food is generally very good and decent value. Stay in the town if Adenau if you like a wonder about, there’s a few pubs/bars there, staying up near the GP track is nice but there’s not much going on of an evening.
Track wise, you’re right it’s not worth even thinking about how quick you’re going, just take it steady and treat it as a learning experience. It’s also worth thinking about what’s at stake if the worst happens. I done a very steady lap in my 340i but might be a bit more relaxed in my track car.
It’s a fantastic place, I can see what all the fuss is about now I’ve been.
I was lucky to have a guide on my first time a few years back and it's very addictive. I would still have done it alone anyway.
My advice if you do TF is to fully understand the third party liability situation.
And to do loads of game laps. Not to learn to go fast there as this would be a recipe for disaster but to learn where the track goes and where the biggest hotspots are, as there are quite a few.
And then drive it as if it was a tricky B road that you don't know at all.
And read what it says on the barrier, ie German highway code rules apply.
And finally attend the Rent 4 Ring safety briefing as they normally don't mind even if you don't rent from them.
My advice if you do TF is to fully understand the third party liability situation.
And to do loads of game laps. Not to learn to go fast there as this would be a recipe for disaster but to learn where the track goes and where the biggest hotspots are, as there are quite a few.
And then drive it as if it was a tricky B road that you don't know at all.
And read what it says on the barrier, ie German highway code rules apply.
And finally attend the Rent 4 Ring safety briefing as they normally don't mind even if you don't rent from them.
Edited by nickfrog on Friday 3rd January 17:50
Good advice above and especially take note of:
Especially if taking it easy, be very careful on left-hand bends because if you move left towards the apex and you cut off a car going up the inside, it will be your fault for having moved into the 'left' lane.
nickfrog said:
...
And read what it says on the barrier, ie German highway code rules apply.
...
Stay right! And read what it says on the barrier, ie German highway code rules apply.
...
Especially if taking it easy, be very careful on left-hand bends because if you move left towards the apex and you cut off a car going up the inside, it will be your fault for having moved into the 'left' lane.
I've not gone alone myself but I can definitely advise against taking friends who just want to have a joy ride in your car. Trust me, don't even go there.
Maybe see if anyone is organising any trips as part of a group? I go every year with a group of friends that I met at a local M3 meeting. Might be worth going along to a BMW meet near you and see if anyone is interested in going.
Maybe see if anyone is organising any trips as part of a group? I go every year with a group of friends that I met at a local M3 meeting. Might be worth going along to a BMW meet near you and see if anyone is interested in going.
Agree with the previous comments.
Other things to consider: -
1. Trackdays are better (safer) than TF's - only cars to keep a lookout for, better driving etiquette, no queues for tickets/ track access and less likelihood of red flags.
2. Book an instructor for an hour or two - it's a long way to go and worse if you think in hindsight you could have enjoyed it more.
3. If you do any TF laps at the end of the day, early/ late in the year, make sure your windscreen is crystal clear - the low sun is scary!
4. Possibly look at combining a visit with a VLN race - taxi laps are available on the day before the race - definitely the best way to experience the Ring.
Other things to consider: -
1. Trackdays are better (safer) than TF's - only cars to keep a lookout for, better driving etiquette, no queues for tickets/ track access and less likelihood of red flags.
2. Book an instructor for an hour or two - it's a long way to go and worse if you think in hindsight you could have enjoyed it more.
3. If you do any TF laps at the end of the day, early/ late in the year, make sure your windscreen is crystal clear - the low sun is scary!
4. Possibly look at combining a visit with a VLN race - taxi laps are available on the day before the race - definitely the best way to experience the Ring.
RSbandit said:
Booked Circuit days April double and at the moment will be flying solo!
You're welcome to tag onto our group if you want. 10:20 from Folkestone on the Tuesday. Edit: I hate doing trips on my own personally, much prefer going with mates. 2 heads are better than 1 if you run into any problems and means you've got more storage haha.
I have let a few mates drive my cars at the ring but they can always afford to pay to replace it and are far more accomplished drivers than me
Edited by Gary Woodland on Tuesday 7th January 13:37
very similar to myself, I was newly single and had always wanted to go but never had the opportunity. After chatting to someone in the local pub on a wednesday night he lite the flame and i was heading on the friday.
Its fine being there on your own. Plenty of friendly people about and managed a passenger lap in a skyline GTR from a very generous couple i got chatting to in the devils diner.
Like others have said plenty to see and do around the track, the castle is worth a walk up along with the museum.
Enjoy your trip!
Its fine being there on your own. Plenty of friendly people about and managed a passenger lap in a skyline GTR from a very generous couple i got chatting to in the devils diner.
Like others have said plenty to see and do around the track, the castle is worth a walk up along with the museum.
Enjoy your trip!
My first experience was 7 years ago now, went solo at Easter (the busiest time but also an awesome atmosphere) rented a Suzuki Swift + an instructor for the ring, as I was too scared to go on with my car at the time, and used my own on the F1 circuit which is safer.
Had probably one of my best weekends in a car ever in terms of driving - and also became instant friends with my instructor (we had so much in common and thought alike), who'm I now consider a very good friend 7 years later. A couple of years after that I made another couple of good friends, and we have been back at Easter every year since that first time (I like having the access of both circuits, despite it being madly busy there, as well as the time off work).
- I can't recommend it enough, it's marvelous, just drive within yourself and respectfully of the place, get an instructor and build up speed gradually. Speed on the ring is more about learning the circuit and the racing lines, and being super smooth and accurate, rather about pushing yourself harder than you ought.
Had probably one of my best weekends in a car ever in terms of driving - and also became instant friends with my instructor (we had so much in common and thought alike), who'm I now consider a very good friend 7 years later. A couple of years after that I made another couple of good friends, and we have been back at Easter every year since that first time (I like having the access of both circuits, despite it being madly busy there, as well as the time off work).
- I can't recommend it enough, it's marvelous, just drive within yourself and respectfully of the place, get an instructor and build up speed gradually. Speed on the ring is more about learning the circuit and the racing lines, and being super smooth and accurate, rather about pushing yourself harder than you ought.
When I went for the first time in 2006, I went with friends who newbies and some who were very experienced
Without the PAX laps and coaching from the experienced drivers I would have had a far less safe experience
Also if I'd been alone I would have had to find my own way home when my car suffered a mechanical failure
I became a member of the Bongard Club on my very first trip
Without the PAX laps and coaching from the experienced drivers I would have had a far less safe experience
Also if I'd been alone I would have had to find my own way home when my car suffered a mechanical failure
I became a member of the Bongard Club on my very first trip
Gary Woodland said:
I have let a few mates drive my cars at the ring but they can always afford to pay to replace it and are far more accomplished drivers than me
A few years ago a good friend lent me his car for the DN Ringmeisters track day eventHe had to stay home and change nappies
I made sure all paperwork was in order, and I made sure I knew how much it would cost me to buy the car - if that became necessary
My mate who came with me said it was the most relaxing road trip he had ever been on with me as he knew the Honda would be totally reliable, he was completely right
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