advice sought for nurburgring virgin!!

[spectatorsam]

I am thinking of taking a car to the ring and would be gratefull for your advice.
ok
1st Getting there:
cheapest way of doing it ie I have a tow car and a trailer, is it a ferry job or a eurostar and drive job dont mind a bit of driving, but if its just easier and much of a muchness to get the ferry then so be it.

what does the ferry cost

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

I think its fairly affordable once there 5 -10 euros a lap??

3rd
hotels and car storage

if we do make it a weekend trip instead to a daytrip, are there any guest houses or cheap hotels nearby and what can we expect to pay for the night, also is there anywhere to leave the car?

4th
are there any specialist companies who do packages such as this anyway?

5th
is there anything else I should be asking?

those who have been and done it will no doubt be a font of knowledge.
Cheers

[SKR]

Try here http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

Great site that will answer all your questions.

[flemke]

spectatorsam said:

I am thinking of taking a car to the ring and would be gratefull for your advice.
ok
1st Getting there:
cheapest way of doing it ie I have a tow car and a trailer, is it a ferry job or a eurostar and drive job dont mind a bit of driving, but if its just easier and much of a muchness to get the ferry then so be it.

what does the ferry cost

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

I think its fairly affordable once there 5 -10 euros a lap??

3rd
hotels and car storage

if we do make it a weekend trip instead to a daytrip, are there any guest houses or cheap hotels nearby and what can we expect to pay for the night, also is there anywhere to leave the car?

4th
are there any specialist companies who do packages such as this anyway?

5th
is there anything else I should be asking?

those who have been and done it will no doubt be a font of knowledge.
Cheers

Why not go over on a VLN weekend (15 and 29 Sept, 13 and 27 Oct)?

[spectatorsam]

sorry what is vln?

[flemke]

spectatorsam said:

sorry what is vln?

http://www.vln.de/rennen.php

[Biker's Nemesis]

spectatorsam said:

I am thinking of taking a car to the ring and would be gratefull for your advice.
ok
1st Getting there:
cheapest way of doing it ie I have a tow car and a trailer, is it a ferry job or a eurostar and drive job dont mind a bit of driving, but if its just easier and much of a muchness to get the ferry then so be it.

what does the ferry cost

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

I think its fairly affordable once there 5 -10 euros a lap??

3rd
hotels and car storage

if we do make it a weekend trip instead to a daytrip, are there any guest houses or cheap hotels nearby and what can we expect to pay for the night, also is there anywhere to leave the car?

4th
are there any specialist companies who do packages such as this anyway?

5th
is there anything else I should be asking?

those who have been and done it will no doubt be a font of knowledge.
Cheers

Just ring your Insurance and tell them you are heading to Germany, North Shields ferry cost me £150 return with a cabin. (overnight)

I always stay at the Zurburg, It's only Two minutes from the Ring, which has a good bar, OK rooms and a nice family atmosphere.

I'm sure it's 19 euro's a lap. (not sure as I was on a course)

Make sure you do go though, because it's an amazing place.

I'm thinking of moving there, when I retire, not just because of the Nurburgring, but, because it's such a nice place. (surrounding area's)

[anonymous-user]

It's a bit nippy in winter.

Check your car insurance doesnt exclude "derestricted toll roads" if you plan on driving your own car. You need a green card to retain your fully comp status, all EU policies cover for 3rd party even without a green card.

It's exactly 300 miles from calais, so not too much of a drive, even when towing.

[Regional]

I stay at Sliders guesthouse every year when i work at the Ring 24hrs, the owners, Brendan and Suze are great hosts who will look after you and if you ply Brendan with enough alchohol he will sit with you for a lap of the Ring and show you where to put your wheels - he has done over 10'000 laps of the place on bikes and is there most days.

It's about 30 minutes from the circuit along some lovely roads.

[spectatorsam]

Biker's Nemesis said:

spectatorsam said:

I am thinking of taking a car to the ring and would be gratefull for your advice.
ok
1st Getting there:
cheapest way of doing it ie I have a tow car and a trailer, is it a ferry job or a eurostar and drive job dont mind a bit of driving, but if its just easier and much of a muchness to get the ferry then so be it.

what does the ferry cost

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

I think its fairly affordable once there 5 -10 euros a lap??




3rd
hotels and car storage

if we do make it a weekend trip instead to a daytrip, are there any guest houses or cheap hotels nearby and what can we expect to pay for the night, also is there anywhere to leave the car?

4th
are there any specialist companies who do packages such as this anyway?

5th
is there anything else I should be asking?

those who have been and done it will no doubt be a font of knowledge.
Cheers

Just ring your Insurance and tell them you are heading to Germany, North Shields ferry cost me £150 return with a cabin. (overnight)

I always stay at the Zurburg, It's only Two minutes from the Ring, which has a good bar, OK rooms and a nice family atmosphere.

I'm sure it's 19 euro's a lap. (not sure as I was on a course)

Make sure you do go though, because it's an amazing place.

I'm thinking of moving there, when I retire, not just because of the Nurburgring, but, because it's such a nice place. (surrounding area's)

thanks thats realy good info
what ferry company was that with please, and what was the route, ie north shields to where?
cheers

[anonymous-user]

Regional said:

I stay at Sliders guesthouse every year when i work at the Ring 24hrs, the owners, Brendan and Suze are great hosts who will look after you and if you ply Brendan with enough alchohol he will sit with you for a lap of the Ring and show you where to put your wheels - he has done over 10'000 laps of the place on bikes and is there most days.

It's about 30 minutes from the circuit along some lovely roads.

Brendan and Suze are great people. I was staying there for the 24hr race in 2005, i think i saw my bed one night that week, mad event that is!

[Biker's Nemesis]

spectatorsam said:

thanks thats realy good info
what ferry company was that with please, and what was the route, ie north shields to where?
cheers

DFDS Seaways, North Shields to Amsterdam. Around the 300 mile mark to the Ring from there.


John.

EDIT: to get rid of that red face.

Edited by Biker's Nemesis on Wednesday 12th September 22:56

[stockhatcher]

dame,

the car you intend to lap the 'ring on has to be road legal, insured taxed everything.

the fezza won't suffice.

[spectatorsam]

who said anything about a fezza!!!!!!!!
which by the way....
its not!!



is that right about tax and mot etc?

[Munter]

spectatorsam said:

is that right about tax and mot etc?

I would think so. When it's open to the public it's technically a derestricted toll road. e.g. public highway. Therefore you car needs everything it would need for being on the public highway in germany. I think...

[Longers]

As suggested above check out Ben Lovejoy's website, it has all the info you'll need.

I went recently for the 1st time - full write up here http://forum.ringersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3972... which is the forum accessed from Ben's site.

I'd thoroughly recommend staying at the Pistonklause - great food, beer and an amazing bar full of atmosphere/nostalgia/memorabilia.

Laps are 19Euros each but you can buy multiple laps in one go and it works out cheaper per lap.

Insurance.....! Most will not cover you, but I was lucky and needed to renew shortly before going. I found a company that only charged £20 more than the cheapest quote I'd got and they covered me stating that the Ring is a public toll road governed by German road laws, which it is. And yes, car must be road legal, comply with noise limits etc to be allowed on, although I didn't see any checks being made when we were there.

Try and meet up with an experienced Ringer to follow round, give you a passenger lap or 2 so that you get the most from your visit.

Enjoy it!

Longers

[RobM77]

spectatorsam said:

I am thinking of taking a car to the ring and would be gratefull for your advice.
ok
1st Getting there:
cheapest way of doing it ie I have a tow car and a trailer, is it a ferry job or a eurostar and drive job dont mind a bit of driving, but if its just easier and much of a muchness to get the ferry then so be it.

what does the ferry cost

Totally depends when and what time you go. Ferry and Eurotunnel are similar costs - the difference being that Eurotunnel really crank up the price if you're away for a while (overnight is £27 each way, but over a week it's about £180!!!). I thyink the ferries might do this as well, but I wouldn't know as I never take the ferry! (I get too sea sick!).

spectatorsam said:

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

Ring them and ask them. Regarding insurance for the ring - this is optional but expensive (I paid £275 through Eggar Lawson for one day for my Elise!!). Next year I'll just be hiring a track prepped car at the ring instead.

spectatorsam said:

I think its fairly affordable once there 5 -10 euros a lap??

It's about £10 a lap - you can find this out on the official ring website. You can save money by buying multiple lap tickets.

spectatorsam said:

3rd
hotels and car storage

if we do make it a weekend trip instead to a daytrip, are there any guest houses or cheap hotels nearby and what can we expect to pay for the night, also is there anywhere to leave the car?

Most hotels are geared up towards car storage, and some offer garages or pretty safe parking. Last year I stayed inthe Blau Ecke in Adenau, which is superb. This year we rented a house off the guy that owns the hotel by Adenau Bridge. It slept 26 and had two secure lockable garages, plus lockable electric gates to the property.

spectatorsam said:

5th
is there anything else I should be asking?

those who have been and done it will no doubt be a font of knowledge.
Cheers

Yes - some other information for you:

Take it easy! It's a dangerous place. On the day I drove it there were countless accidents, two stoppages and one fatality.

Remember you don't know what's over blind crests.

Make sure someone's seen you before you overtake

Helmets are optional, but obviously take it if you've got one!

In car filming is officially banned now, as is timing

The main car park often fills up. If it does, everyone uses the field over the roundabout from the entrance.

Take the time to spectate - there's some great spots around the track. Try Adenau Bridge, Planzgarten or Brunchen.

The museum is mainly geared around kids

The castle's shut on Mondays - I keep missing it!

Have fun

Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 13th September 11:14

Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 13th September 11:15

[tertius]

RobM77 said:

spectatorsam said:

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

Ring them and ask them. Regarding insurance for the ring - this is optional but expensive (I paid £275 through Eggar Lawson for one day for my Elise!!). Next year I'll just be hiring a track prepped car at the ring instead.

Just to be clear, and I'm sure you didn't mean it the way it sounded, but insurance for the 'ring is not optional - it is a legal requirement that you have at least third party cover, it is a public road after all. First party cover is if course optional just as it is here, if you can carry the cost of writing your car off (plus the possible armco/closure bill) then you can certainly do without this (I do).

Lots of people say "don't ring your insurance company, they'll just say no" - well personally I'd want to be absolutely d*mn sure that I had third party cover before I drove the 'ring, so I would certainly check.

As Rob says a great alternative is to rent a track prepared car there - I rented recently from rent-racecar.de and thoroughly recommend them, nice people, well prepared cars and a fair price.

[RobM77]

tertius said:

RobM77 said:

spectatorsam said:

2nd: will I have to add to my car insurance for a 1 off trip say from friday evening to sunday evening? if so what do they sting you for?

Ring them and ask them. Regarding insurance for the ring - this is optional but expensive (I paid £275 through Eggar Lawson for one day for my Elise!!). Next year I'll just be hiring a track prepped car at the ring instead.

Just to be clear, and I'm sure you didn't mean it the way it sounded, but insurance for the 'ring is not optional - it is a legal requirement that you have at least third party cover, it is a public road after all. First party cover is if course optional just as it is here, if you can carry the cost of writing your car off (plus the possible armco/closure bill) then you can certainly do without this (I do).

Lots of people say "don't ring your insurance company, they'll just say no" - well personally I'd want to be absolutely d*mn sure that I had third party cover before I drove the 'ring, so I would certainly check.

As Rob says a great alternative is to rent a track prepared car there - I rented recently from rent-racecar.de and thoroughly recommend them, nice people, well prepared cars and a fair price.

Sorry, to clarify, most insurance companies won't cover claims at the ring. I got seperate insurance to cover repairs to my car, which was £275. For a fiver less than that I could have hired an E36 325i coupe with roll cage etc! That's what I'll do next year I was going to use rent-racecar.de, glad to see you reccomend them. Are the cars nackered or well looked after?

[Munter]

RobM77 said:

For a fiver less than that I could have hired an E36 325i coupe with roll cage etc! That's what I'll do next year I was going to use rent-racecar.de, glad to see you reccomend them. Are the cars nackered or well looked after?

I had a look at their site and i'd certainly consider that over paying insurnace on my own car. However. I read their terms and conditions page and inder the section about damage it says:

The lessee is liable for theft and for any damage caused to the rented vehicle during the rental period and any damage caused by the lessee’s driving unless he can demonstrate that he was not to blame.

So does that mean if I hit the Armco....I pay for the car repairs? Or even if someone else causes the accident but I cant prove it....

Has anybody crashed one of their cars at the 'ring. What was the procedure?

[tertius]

RobM77 said:

...snipped ... For a fiver less than that I could have hired an E36 325i coupe with roll cage etc! That's what I'll do next year I was going to use rent-racecar.de, glad to see you reccomend them. Are the cars nackered or well looked after?

Well I thought they were pretty well looked after. I deliberately rented the slowest/cheapest car they had - ie one of the 318s which I think are one the cars they've had longest.

It was stripped, with bucket seats and a full cage. Bearing in mind that it basically lives on the 'ring I would describe it as "well-used but well-maintained". Some of the newer cars look absolutely spotless (mind you I gather three of them crashed last weekend ...)

There are other possibilities for rental, that were discussed a bit in this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I also did the 75Experience on the same trip and would thoroughly recommend that. I wrote up the whole trip on the northloop forum if you are interested.