Will 11 yr old car fan enjoy 3 days at Nurburgring?
Discussion
So if he gets bored then Centre Parcs for a day of swimming and stuff is an option, useful info thanks.
To be fair I've been chatting to him tonight and he's very excited even if the ring taxi isn't an option, mind you I've found in one companies t&c's that it stipulates 12 yrs old OR 1.4m and he's tall enough so it may still be an option. I've dropped them an email to find out.
I think hiring a prepped Swift or a Clio is a better option than taking my own car, and I'm aware of the potential costs should I crash and lack of cover if I take someone else out in the process. However you only live once, and with my son with me I'll take it much easier so the likelihood of me overdoing it is vastly reduced.
My mate will take us out for initial laps to get us used to it, and I feel like I've watched enough videos and many many hours on the PS that I've got a reasonable idea of layout. Not the same I know, but at least it's not like driving a road I've never.seen before.
Anyway decision made, he's definitely coming with me just need to sort out what I drive when we get there
To be fair I've been chatting to him tonight and he's very excited even if the ring taxi isn't an option, mind you I've found in one companies t&c's that it stipulates 12 yrs old OR 1.4m and he's tall enough so it may still be an option. I've dropped them an email to find out.
I think hiring a prepped Swift or a Clio is a better option than taking my own car, and I'm aware of the potential costs should I crash and lack of cover if I take someone else out in the process. However you only live once, and with my son with me I'll take it much easier so the likelihood of me overdoing it is vastly reduced.
My mate will take us out for initial laps to get us used to it, and I feel like I've watched enough videos and many many hours on the PS that I've got a reasonable idea of layout. Not the same I know, but at least it's not like driving a road I've never.seen before.
Anyway decision made, he's definitely coming with me just need to sort out what I drive when we get there
bennno said:
Or there is a centre parcs about 6 miles from the circuit.
Bennno
We've stayed a full mid week at that Center Parcs and it is very nice. If it's not German school holidays it tends to be very inexpensive too! It wasn't planned, but we did spend quite a bit of time around Nurburg and even took the family Saab 9-5 for a lap (wife screaming to slow down and the kids giggling in the back seat). My kids were probably about the same sort of age then and didn't seem too bothered to wander around bits of the track whilst the industry pool was hacking around during the week.Bennno
egor110 said:
Playstation laps won't tell you where the bumps are though or the corners with camber
Yes I know what you mean, but at least I'll know if I'm going left or right to be fair I'm not going to chase lap times, it's a box I've wanted to tick for a long time.egor110 said:
You should show your son the Misha Charoudin videos on youtube then secretly book him for a laps tuition , i'd imagine that would be cool for your son.
Never heard of him, but I'll look into it as my son (like most his age) loves YT so probably will have. I’d take my kid round, but then with many 100s of laps under my belt I’m pretty confident of what I’m doing-I’ve only crashed twice!
I’m the opposite of most folk, I simply love TF. I think that would be the most fun for a kid as the atmosphere is electric.
I would probably limit laps with child to early morning or late evening however.
I’m the opposite of most folk, I simply love TF. I think that would be the most fun for a kid as the atmosphere is electric.
I would probably limit laps with child to early morning or late evening however.
antspants said:
egor110 said:
Playstation laps won't tell you where the bumps are though or the corners with camber
Yes I know what you mean, but at least I'll know if I'm going left or right to be fair I'm not going to chase lap times, it's a box I've wanted to tick for a long time.egor110 said:
You should show your son the Misha Charoudin videos on youtube then secretly book him for a laps tuition , i'd imagine that would be cool for your son.
Never heard of him, but I'll look into it as my son (like most his age) loves YT so probably will have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjzHNaVrEK8
Recommendation re early morning/late evening makes sense, cheers for that 
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
antspants said:
Recommendation re early morning/late evening makes sense, cheers for that
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
I've rented before off that Dutch tSo going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
t (won't mention company name). It's how I met Dale Lomas actually. I didn't even get on track and when we returned the car after 3 miles driving it, was told we weren't getting our money back due to all sorts of made up damage. We got our £6k deposit back but only after 4 hours of debate and mediation by Dale.
I'm sure it's just that crook we dealt with but ill never risk it again.
antspants said:
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
I wouldn't plan to cram in too many laps. There are often a lot of stoppages due to having to recover cars and repair barriers, which can leave the track closed for a significant portion of the day. I think I did 5 laps my first day, which felt about right. That said others might say they did 20 and loved it!Obviously there is no right answer about cars, but an important factor you haven't mentioned is what your own car is? If it's a Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 you might not be making the most of the experience. On the other hand if you have a 997 Turbo you might not fancy being bankrupted if the car ends up being bent out of shape, plus as a first timer you'll be holding back all the time. Expect insurance to be very expensive if you want to go that route.
I went for the first time a few years ago and, like you, found the costs all-in for taking my own car not all that different to flying and hiring a car at the airport and one at the ring. The more laps you do the cheaper it is per lap to take your own of course.
I opted to drive my own, but mostly because lapping the ring in my own car was on my bucket list. The car was a fairly low priced Clio Sport 172 purchased on the cheap that summer just for some low priced fun, and sold shortly after. That way I knew that if I introduced it to the armco I wouldn't be left bankrupt. Plus it wasn't particularly fast so I was able to feel like I was pushing the car without having to drive past my abilities. I spent the whole time being humiliated by Ferraris and Porsches but I didn't care one bit, because the Clio felt plenty fast enough for me on a twisty complicated circuit that seemingly goes on forever.
If I went back I'd hire a track car. Those track prepared Swifts are amazingly capable; their sticky tires, lightened interiors and rollcages mean they can show up some surprisingly fast road cars. They definitely allow a newbie to make more of the track than almost any road car.
Edited by murphyaj on Tuesday 30th January 11:35
Edited by murphyaj on Tuesday 30th January 11:36
murphyaj said:
I wouldn't plan to cram in too many laps. There are often a lot of stoppages due to having to recover cars and repair barriers, which can leave the track closed for a significant portion of the day. I think I did 5 laps my first day, which felt about right. That said others might say they did 20 and loved it!
Obviously there is no right answer about cars, but an important factor you haven't mentioned is what your own car is? If it's a Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 you might not be making the most of the experience. On the other hand if you have a 997 Turbo you might not fancy being bankrupted if the car ends up being bent out of shape, plus as a first timer you'll be holding back all the time. Expect insurance to be very expensive if you want to go that route.
I went for the first time a few years ago and, like you, found the costs all-in for taking my own car not all that different to flying and hiring a car at the airport and one at the ring. The more laps you do the cheaper it is per lap to take your own of course.
I opted to drive my own, but mostly because lapping the ring in my own car was on my bucket list. The car was a fairly low priced Clio Sport 172 purchased on the cheap that summer just for some low priced fun, and sold shortly after. That way I knew that if I introduced it to the armco I wouldn't be left bankrupt. Plus it wasn't particularly fast so I was able to feel like I was pushing the car without having to drive past my abilities. I spent the whole time being humiliated by Ferraris and Porsches but I didn't care one bit, because the Clio felt plenty fast enough for me on a twisty complicated circuit that seemingly goes on forever.
If I went back I'd hire a track car. Those track prepared Swifts are amazingly capable; their sticky tires, lightened interiors and rollcages mean they can show up some surprisingly fast road cars. They definitely allow a newbie to make more of the track than almost any road car.
Apologies if this sounds arsey, but that's not what will bankrupt you. Obviously there is no right answer about cars, but an important factor you haven't mentioned is what your own car is? If it's a Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 you might not be making the most of the experience. On the other hand if you have a 997 Turbo you might not fancy being bankrupted if the car ends up being bent out of shape, plus as a first timer you'll be holding back all the time. Expect insurance to be very expensive if you want to go that route.
I went for the first time a few years ago and, like you, found the costs all-in for taking my own car not all that different to flying and hiring a car at the airport and one at the ring. The more laps you do the cheaper it is per lap to take your own of course.
I opted to drive my own, but mostly because lapping the ring in my own car was on my bucket list. The car was a fairly low priced Clio Sport 172 purchased on the cheap that summer just for some low priced fun, and sold shortly after. That way I knew that if I introduced it to the armco I wouldn't be left bankrupt. Plus it wasn't particularly fast so I was able to feel like I was pushing the car without having to drive past my abilities. I spent the whole time being humiliated by Ferraris and Porsches but I didn't care one bit, because the Clio felt plenty fast enough for me on a twisty complicated circuit that seemingly goes on forever.
If I went back I'd hire a track car. Those track prepared Swifts are amazingly capable; their sticky tires, lightened interiors and rollcages mean they can show up some surprisingly fast road cars. They definitely allow a newbie to make more of the track than almost any road car.
It's being responsible for third parties writing off Ferraris/Porsches, or suffering life-changing injuries, that will do that.
Fair points both.
Another reason I drove a car that was well within my limits to control and at fairly sensible speeds.
It's worth pointing out though that even with track day insurance you probably won't get 3rd party cover. According to the FAQ over at "insuremytrackday.com":
>>> There is no third party vehicle / liability insurance cover provided at Nurburgring Nordschleife and we are not aware of a company in the UK that can offer this product at Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Another reason I drove a car that was well within my limits to control and at fairly sensible speeds.
It's worth pointing out though that even with track day insurance you probably won't get 3rd party cover. According to the FAQ over at "insuremytrackday.com":
>>> There is no third party vehicle / liability insurance cover provided at Nurburgring Nordschleife and we are not aware of a company in the UK that can offer this product at Nurburgring Nordschleife.
murphyaj said:
Obviously there is no right answer about cars, but an important factor you haven't mentioned is what your own car is?
I currently own a Boxster S but was planning to sell it in March/April, and most likely next car is an E63 but I may change my mind before then. Whilst taking my own car on would be great, I'm not sure a +500bhp car that I've only owned a few weeks is the sensible choice!
I'm currently looking at the Swift from Rent4Ring or Clio RS from Ringfreaks, both around €600 for 10 laps. Both are track prepped, so whilst not the fastest in a straight line should be great fun through the corners. My son liked the look of the cages and bucket seats, so I think that will actually be more of an event than driving my own even though he wasn't impressed with the actual cars
Just realised while looking at my sums again that I hadn't included lap tickets in the hire a car comparison, so actually it's about £260 more to hire a car rather than take my own. Plus the insurance of about €200 but that does give me 3rd party cover as well as limiting damage excess on hire car.
The Crack Fox said:
I'm known to wing it a bit, but no way would I take any of my kids on the 'ring on a TF day. Too much going on, too many variables, and whilst I don't mind risking my own neck I wouldn't risk my kids. The other attractions there are a bit of a white elephant, but a day or two sat with a picnic watching the lunacy is fun. Breidscheid with chips and mayo is a good spot.
I'd also add that unless the kid is a full-on petrolhead, he'll be bored after day-1.
Maybe take him on a bit of a road-trip, ideally encompassing:-
- Good race meet at Spa (WEC, WTCC, Spa Classic / etc.)
- Trip to N'ring, maybe take in a VLN race there, or spectate at a TF just to get a feel for the place
- Schlumpf collection or Klassikstadt, if you still want to do more car stuff.
- ...and add-in non-motoring stuff that he's into as well, whatever that may be.
Bit more research required, sure...but don't drown him in petrolhead-pursuits at too young an age, you'll just turn him off it for the future.
That BMW doing the one handed drift shortly before examining the armco.
DocJock said:
Apologies if this sounds arsey, but that's not what will bankrupt you.
It's being responsible for third parties writing off Ferraris/Porsches, or suffering life-changing injuries, that will do that.
I've asked on PH on numerous occasions for evidence of anyone in the UK being bankrupted due to a ring crash - no one has ever succeeded.It's being responsible for third parties writing off Ferraris/Porsches, or suffering life-changing injuries, that will do that.
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