The Ring...

[r1_jon]

I think I might like to take a trip to the ring later this year, but after seeing mates cars come back on low loaders, I would like to hire someone to show me the ropes. Does anyone here know the Ring that well and would consider a trip with me, or can anyone recommend such a guide?

Cheers

[SURJ_993C2S]

You dont need a guide - unless you're really looking to tear around from the off (definitely not recommended - see your mates for details on that!).

Go round - take it easy, talk to the people there, many of them are 'veterans' and will be happy to talk to you about the track. You may be lucky enought to get a ride round - which is great.

Then just take it slow, take in the track (as much as you can) and the heady setting and atmosphere. By the end of the day you should be familiar enough to string together a few corners - until next time!

[iguana]

Sounds like you need the special combined Lizard low loader & ring tuition services sir


I had more experienced folks point me around on 1st trip & to be honest its helpful but I didnt feel I learnt it from them, just from simply racking up a few hundred miles round it.

The danger comes when you 'think' you know it & the phrase 20 lap happy is often used then you push harder & realise you dont know at all- hence the armco incients.

I'm no ring expert at all, but felt once I had an idea about which way the corners went it was then a good idea to have more experienced folks beside me pointing out best lines etc, personally I found that much more useful.

Easy to get an experienced bod beside you- look for real 'ring wagons or note drivers getting out of cars that passed you like you were standing still & simply ask them nicely if they would show you round, then grab a lap with them & see how it can be done when you really know the place.

Alternativly there are many bods on here- the pork forum especially, who go v regually & know it v well & can show you round, some are there more in the summer than they are at work! & a few even live there, so just link in with a time when they are going, as not only will they show you round but they will know lots of the regulars out there & could get you a steady stream of folks to point you in the right direction round it.

[r1_jon]

Iguana - sounds like you may be the man for the job. I'm not really after a ring expert, just someone who knows the ropes and I can have a laugh with. I'll drop you a mail nearer the time and we can sort something out...

Cheers

[iguana]

r1 more than happy to, but I'd be a bit like the lad who can swim 2 widths teaching his mates to swim as compared to many of the folks who go ive done a mere tiny fraction of the laps, folk like Adenauer,joe911,flemke,francisb,davyboy, etc etc have done & my driven 'ring experience is in in gay wheel drive & rather a lot lot less power than a GT2! 'ring passengered in proper wheel drive a few times tho & many many normal 911s myself & a 911 at the ring is again difernt in many areas than even conventional rwd too.

There is a very decent swedish GT3 driver who I would say would be ideal for you to hook up with, fast but safe very experienced a serial porker owner & a very nice chap, I dont have an email but im sure many of the 'ring regulars could put you in touch. Hes on vid here- http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc



>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 7th March 20:54

[nevetas]

Im out there most months, what month do you plan on going?

[johnfm]

Try the 75 experience - I think the guy's name is Ronald. He knows the place very well and will teach you in their track prepped Alfa 75s - full cage, track tyres etc.

It costs about 375 Euros a day IIRC. Much better value than hiring a car - and much more instructive than smashing your own.

[r1_jon]

Nevetas - no concrete plans. It's just something I want to tick off the list this year. Likely to be around MayJune I would think.

[nevetas]

Well I will be over on the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, going with a group from 22b.com

More than welcome to come along with us.

http://bbs.22b.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb

[iguana]

I was planning to be there that wk end too, looking less likely now, should be there the following weds tho after spa.

[joe911]

r1_jon said:

I think I might like to take a trip to the ring later this year, but after seeing mates cars come back on low loaders, I would like to hire someone to show me the ropes. Does anyone here know the Ring that well and would consider a trip with me, or can anyone recommend such a guide?

Are you after a track guide - there are pro's you can hire?
Or, are you looking for someone to do the full trip - know which hotel to stay in, where to eat, where to hang out when the track is closed, the back way (pun intended) to the Cherie Bar etc. - or is it just the track stuff?

Realistically - if you pitch up any weekend of the year when it's open you'll find a bunch of people who will happily help you out - the Ringers are always happy to give demo laps and offer sensible advice (and plenty of car park bullshit). Reading (and living by) the wise words from Herr Lovejoy's site would be pretty sound advice too. If you adverties you're going a few days before - people can look out for you.

You'd be welcome to a couple of laps with me - but best bring a brave (stupid) pill!
Some people might be prepared to sit in with you when you drive - but it's an acquired taste being driven there by a novice you've only just met - so don't expect lap after lap of help.

Personally I'd steer clear of the "75 Experience".


... or you could hire Flemke for the day, as iguana suggested. :getscoatandruns:


>> Edited by joe911 on Wednesday 8th March 00:00

[flemke]

joe911 said:

... or you could hire Flemke for the day, as iguana suggested.

Oh yes, a very safe pair of hands.

[davyboy]

iguana said:

folk like Adenauer,joe911,flemke,francisb,davyboy

I still like to think as myself as inexperienced.....and compared to some names mentioned there I still have a bit to learn.......

...and I still don't know where the Cherie bar is!

Circumstances seem to be dictating that I might not be there until summer either

>> Edited by davyboy on Tuesday 7th March 22:57

[r1_jon]

Nevetas - unfortunately I'm in San Francisco on the first May bank holiday, so can't make that trip. I do however have the last weekend in May free at this point in time.

Joe - Not really after an expert. More someone who can show me the ropes on and off the track. I'm not trying to break any records, just have some fun in safety. Thank you for the offer, I may take you up on it.

Flemke - Your name actually came up over lunch today with a friend of a friend who knows you. If there was ever a chance to meet up with you at the ring and get a ride in your F1, you would be fulfilling my dream. Understand you are a busy man though.

[DanH]

I've been considering this :

www.scuderia-hanseat.de/scuderia-hanseat-eng/Scuderia-Hanseat.htm

I wonder if it might not be a bit wasted on me though as a complete ring virgin. Ideally I want to time a ring trip to when Flemke is around so I can get that CGT ride

[r1_jon]

Dan - let me know if you go for it, I may be up for joining you dependent upon timing.

[flemke]

r1_jon said:

Flemke - Your name actually came up over lunch today with a friend of a friend who knows you. If there was ever a chance to meet up with you at the ring and get a ride in your F1, you would be fulfilling my dream. Understand you are a busy man though.

If your friend gets in touch with my friend, we might be able to do something.

[DanH]

r1_jon said:

Dan - let me know if you go for it, I may be up for joining you dependent upon timing.

There are some guys on http://stuttgart9.co.uk/upload/showth definitely doing it. Some of them also post on PH.

[flemke]

DanH said:

www.scuderia-hanseat.de/scuderia-hanseat-eng/Scuderia-Hanseat.htm

Do you what this is and how they do it?
It has good points but also is frustrating, with a lot of time wasted. There are also quite a few hotheads who participate and every year a number of beautiful cars get trashed. (It tends to be a very fruitful three days for Manthey!)

For the same money, although probably more days of effort/fun, you can spend less hectic days there, follow drivers who know what they're doing, pick up rides and also take knowledgeable passengers who will help you. That's how I learned whatever little I know.
Scuderia in itself is okay, but I wouldn't do it again even though I would have the time to do so.

Also, you could hire Sabine or Dirk (or others) for a couple days and you would learn a lot from them.

Apart from the frustrations of the Scuderia programme itself, there is the matter that it is a social thing for the majority of people who attend. Typically out of the 300 drivers at each event, there will be 30-40 from Sweden, 40-50 from Switzerland, 10 from Holland, a few from Belgium, Frogville, the UK, etc., and the balance from Germany.
The social guys (some of whom are damn good drivers) go there to see their SH mates from previous years. Many have attended annually for 10+ years. If you're not in one of their social groups you feel a bit left out.
The biggest moment of the programme is the awards dinner on the concluding Sat evening - maybe that gives you a sense of how it works.

[DanH]

flemke said:

DanH said: www.scuderia-hanseat.de/scuderia-hanseat-eng/Scuderia-Hanseat.htm Do you what this is and how they do it? It has good points but also is frustrating, with a lot of time wasted. There are also quite a few hotheads who participate and every year a number of beautiful cars get trashed. (It tends to be a very fruitful three days for Manthey!) For the same money, although probably more days of effort/fun, you can spend less hectic days there, follow drivers who know what they're doing, pick up rides and also take knowledgeable passengers who will help you. That's how I learned whatever little I know. Scuderia in itself is okay, but I wouldn't do it again even though I would have the time to do so. Also, you could hire Sabine or Dirk (or others) for a couple days and you would learn a lot from them. Apart from the frustrations of the Scuderia programme itself, there is the matter that it is a social thing for the majority of people who attend. Typically out of the 300 drivers at each event, there will be 30-40 from Sweden, 40-50 from Switzerland, 10 from Holland, a few from Belgium, Frogville, the UK, etc., and the balance from Germany. The social guys (some of whom are damn good drivers) go there to see their SH mates from previous years. Many have attended annually for 10+ years. If you're not in one of their social groups you feel a bit left out. The biggest moment of the programme is the awards dinner on the concluding Sat evening - maybe that gives you a sense of how it works.

I did read on how they did it by breaking the track into sections, and then ducks and drakes over the hanseat line - I can see how it might be a little tedious and one instructor might be a little stretched.

You've certainly put me off a tad. Perhaps the RMA trackday would be a better bet - the exclusive use is appealing or would I just be better off trying to do a few back to back public days? Is there a period you could recommend when the ring is both quiet, and unlikely to be covered in snow etc?