Nurburgring 2017

[Birky_41]

Prof Prolapse said:

I drove to Nurburg from Berlin in the morning and it was light policing the whole way until I drove home from the track, then it was fairly well policed with some roads perhaps intentionally closed. Just get 10 miles out before you pin it.

I found policing in general pretty light across Germany but I could have been lucky. I'd rather not fall foul of that famous German sense of humour though.

My ex dad was German and a girl in our group came into England from Germany at 26 (36 now) so yep I know exactly what you mean about the 'sense of humour' bit ;-)

[Prof Prolapse]

Don't get me wrong I don't have an issue with them.

Like most British people I try and save my racist bile for homeless Syrian children these days.

[Dakkon]

These days I just do organised trackdays in cars there usually through Destination Nurburgring, TF days are too risky and too expensive. Everything Cappo said at the beginning of the thread is true.

[fergus]

five50 said:

having been run off the track (in my opinion) by a guy in a porsche track car who didn't want me on his line.... They kept closing the track for crashes and as soon as it opened again, a lot of cars were out and trying to make the most of the time.....I won't forget going down the foxhole as a porsche passenger at three figure speeds literally nose to tail with 5 or so other 'on it' cars and almost couldn't watch as some nutter on a ZX10 tried to race us. If someone had so much as sneezed mr zx10 would have been meat paste.....I hadn't really realised what a pita bikers are on the circuit if you're in a relatively quick car - many of the bikers are slower and use different or erratic lines which also makes them hard to overtake in a safe manner for both parties....But having just paid eur25 per lap and finally been let out after a 2 hour circuit closure, a lot of car drivers are relatively impatient and don't want to sit behind a biker for half a lap to find the best over taking spot.

This is the post to read and sums up what you should at least be prepared for (it may not happen if you are going mid week) or straight after an industry pool session.

In my experience, a lot of the (German) GT3 drivers tend to 'give' bikes one corner to see them, and then for all subsequent corners, may well show you a wheel and try and bully their way into the corner, this may force you to pick the bike up. I remember a lap in a 993 GT2 back in 2000 where going into Aremburg (the right hander after the long 'straight' with Schwedencreuz (sp) in the middle of it, where the car was about 1 metre off the back of the bike we had closed on and I could clearly see the damper working.... One slip and we would have barely had time to blink before running the rider over.

A lot of the UK sportsbikes (though clearly not all) tend to point and squirt, and/or confuse their lines, or fail to turn in late enough. This also contributes to the phenomena above.

As already said, the roads around the Ring, whether back up towards Blankenheim or down towards Cochem are awesome. Be prepared for the same GT3 drivers encountered on track thinking the same thing. The tarmac on the public roads is of racetrack quality (or better in the case of bits of Donington).

What gets people at Adenau forst is that after going over the kerbing at the edge of the circuit, the ground is then like the entrance to a campsite after a wet weekend, i.e. fairly rutted with an unpredictable surface. Combine this with the fact that a lot of people who aren't expect the blind 90 degree left hander and are on the gas also provides a shock element.

Turn in as late as you dare, and you'll be fine! There are a few double and one triple apex corners, but most of the apexes are later than you think.

[Birky_41]

Well... Having read all the scary stories and knowing alot of the facts... I'm booked to go end April, in fact about 6-7 of us are going

I'll try get pictures and videos as we start our journey to calais and ride to nurburgring

I'm sure I'll see what people mean by these GT3 drivers but it's an experience I want to try

[mckeann]

I haven't read the whole thread so this may have been pointed out already, but the ring is effectively a 2 lane road. If you're sat in the outside lane of a dual carriageway when no one is on the inside lane, the car behind you will get annoyed. So try not to treat it like a racetrack and think you have the racing line, just think of it as a 2 lane road. Sure, if no one is behind you, sweep across both lanes, but if someone is catching you, keep right.

[spareparts]

five50 said:

I won't forget going down the foxhole as a porsche passenger at three figure speeds literally nose to tail with 5 or so other 'on it' cars and almost couldn't watch as some nutter on a ZX10 tried to race us. If someone had so much as sneezed mr zx10 would have been meat paste.
I hadn't really realised what a pita bikers are on the circuit if you're in a relatively quick car - many of the bikers are slower and use different or erratic lines which also makes them hard to overtake in a safe manner for both parties.
But having just paid eur25 per lap and finally been let out after a 2 hour circuit closure, a lot of car drivers are relatively impatient and don't want to sit behind a biker for half a lap to find the best over taking spot.
Caveat emptor

Phil, IINM, you were my pax on that lap when we encountered the ZX10. Good times, I hope you're well

[Birky_41]

Well 4 days to go. I leave Saturday 5.30am so have the bike pretty much ready as I wont be on it before then

Few bits I still need to sort are;

• USB cable stopped working - possibly sticky connector
• LED low beam conversion - on its way but wont have time to do the high beam
• Jumper mod on headlights so when full beam on the low beam stay on too. The standard lights on these bikes are garbage

I'm looking forward to doing a few laps of the ring to say 'I've done it' & hopefully if I dont crash Tongue I'll get some gopro footage up. Not seen anyone go round on a 1100 factory yet?

I'll try to get some pics up as I go along while out there. Bit nervous about the 280 odd mile ride from Calais to the B&B as that'll be the longest Ive ever done in one go and Im told the first bit is motorway which is very boring. Anyone that owns a 'naked' type bike will know how this is going to feel...

[spareparts]

Birky_41 said:

Well 4 days to go. I leave Saturday 5.30am so have the bike pretty much ready as I wont be on it before then

Few bits I still need to sort are;

• USB cable stopped working - possibly sticky connector
• LED low beam conversion - on its way but wont have time to do the high beam
• Jumper mod on headlights so when full beam on the low beam stay on too. The standard lights on these bikes are garbage

I'm looking forward to doing a few laps of the ring to say 'I've done it' & hopefully if I dont crash Tongue I'll get some gopro footage up. Not seen anyone go round on a 1100 factory yet?

I'll try to get some pics up as I go along while out there. Bit nervous about the 280 odd mile ride from Calais to the B&B as that'll be the longest Ive ever done in one go and Im told the first bit is motorway which is very boring. Anyone that owns a 'naked' type bike will know how this is going to feel...

1100 Factory actually one of the more popular bikes amongst locals and seen at the Ring. To avoid some motorway tedium and the Brussels ring road, I highly recommend taking the 'southern' route south of Liege via the E42 > Namur > Huy > Hamoir > Stavelot > Malmedy (Spa is a stones throw from here) > Prum > then the 410 all the way to Nurburg.

[AdamLoewy]

The motorways are dull and mean you end up missing some fun roads. I've done the same route that Spareparts posted a couple of times and definitely worth the extra time.
The marshals can be fussy over gopro mounting, so I'd recommend placing them somewhere less noticeable.
Enjoy!

[Birky_41]

spareparts said:

1100 Factory actually one of the more popular bikes amongst locals and seen at the Ring. To avoid some motorway tedium and the Brussels ring road, I highly recommend taking the 'southern' route south of Liege via the E42 > Namur > Huy > Hamoir > Stavelot > Malmedy (Spa is a stones throw from here) > Prum > then the 410 all the way to Nurburg.

Appreciate the heads up. I'll definitely take this route if I can. I try to avoid motorways like the plague

AdamLoewy said:

The motorways are dull and mean you end up missing some fun roads. I've done the same route that Spareparts posted a couple of times and definitely worth the extra time.
The marshals can be fussy over gopro mounting, so I'd recommend placing them somewhere less noticeable.
Enjoy!

I have it on the rightside of the fairing just under the indicator which passed at Snett last month and Im going to stick it on the tank if I can for a dash view...but I guess I will soon find out if thats no good

[Birky_41]

First day done... Absolutely shattered

Left 5.30am ams had a good run and alot of laughs all the way to nurburgring. Not many 'scenic' pictures yet they are all too come probably tomorrow or Monday before I head home





We found the funniest poster on the way that had us laughing...



The last hour of roads are... Well... Simply amazing. I just can't get over how many decent roads there were

I did 2 laps, the first was with a guy 'Billy' that's moved out here with his wife and daughter and what a lovely family. Chatted with them all afternoon and he came out on my first lap. Was a bit daunting and shouldn't have timed it I know... But I did and ran 8.06

Did a second lap feeling much more fluent. There's a section (haven't a clue the name of it) which I took off a bit... That was funny before braking for the right. Managed 7.54 that lap then it was finished for the day

Got back to the very lovely Roy and Kim for a sausage fest (ahem) and now watching the boxing feeling very full



I was proud to show the size of my sausage compared to one of my old mates



Will get a gopro video of tomorrow. Reminding myself I'm on my road bike with road tyres

I can see why people say what they do about the ring but I found as long as you kept your witts about you and kept a decent pace you never really got any issues. Having a porsche rs3 pass me and that BMW ring taxi pass me made me see how much commitment some of them drivers have in some corners though... Wow

Anyways boxing is on and I'm tired. I'll update tomorrow

[spareparts]

Birky_41 said:

I did 2 laps, the first was with a guy 'Billy' that's moved out here with his wife and daughter and what a lovely family. Chatted with them all afternoon and he came out on my first lap. Was a bit daunting and shouldn't have timed it I know... But I did and ran 8.06

Did a second lap feeling much more fluent. There's a section (haven't a clue the name of it) which I took off a bit... That was funny before braking for the right. Managed 7.54 that lap then it was finished for the day
...

Will get a gopro video of tomorrow. Reminding myself I'm on my road bike with road tyres

I can see why people say what they do about the ring but I found as long as you kept your witts about you and kept a decent pace you never really got any issues. Having a porsche rs3 pass me and that BMW ring taxi pass me made me see how much commitment some of them drivers have in some corners though... Wow

Anyways boxing is on and I'm tired. I'll update tomorrow

Your first ever 2 laps: You're doing 8:06 and 7:54 and the Ring Taxi is passing you?

[Birky_41]

spareparts said:

Birky_41 said:

I did 2 laps, the first was with a guy 'Billy' that's moved out here with his wife and daughter and what a lovely family. Chatted with them all afternoon and he came out on my first lap. Was a bit daunting and shouldn't have timed it I know... But I did and ran 8.06

Did a second lap feeling much more fluent. There's a section (haven't a clue the name of it) which I took off a bit... That was funny before braking for the right. Managed 7.54 that lap then it was finished for the day
...

Will get a gopro video of tomorrow. Reminding myself I'm on my road bike with road tyres

I can see why people say what they do about the ring but I found as long as you kept your witts about you and kept a decent pace you never really got any issues. Having a porsche rs3 pass me and that BMW ring taxi pass me made me see how much commitment some of them drivers have in some corners though... Wow

Anyways boxing is on and I'm tired. I'll update tomorrow

Your first ever 2 laps: You're doing 8:06 and 7:54 and the Ring Taxi is passing you?

I'm not sure if that's good or bad with the way you put that? I did a third but didn't mention it as it was his first so I just followed him at a much slower pace and sprinted on a couple small bits. Very last bit I left him as 2 mclarens came past so thought I'd see if I could keep up. That lap I see the taxi and 2 porsche GT3 RS's

Turns out it's boosted Boris? He had a camo looking one and an orange one there about ten cars up from us. Nice guy, I think Russian

Two others did quite a few laps and got 8.26s and the old boy of our group on his multistrada was just under 11 minutes. He was nervous going out but was proper chuffed after

I'll get a video up tomorrow if weather stays good and there's no yellow flags (it's freezing here right now)

[Birky_41]

It's 4.45pm here and I've managed my first lap of the ring! I completely get why people on here say avoid Sundays... Absolute car crash fest.

I went out with Billy (YouTube Nurburgring biker blog) and he said it was just too much

My mate Joe as a madman hit 8.00 on the dot

I must've had to wait 9-10 times on cars. I'll try again in the next hour but it's rammed here and full of crashes

Very poor time and will look crap on the gopro just waiting for cars to check their mirrors



On a plus the roads around the ring just get better and better and eating a pizza looking at some of the scenery can't be beaten

Definitely anyone who decides to try it like me to during the week

[Birky_41]

And within 15 minutes of writing that track closed... Again... Third time ffs

[eddd1e]

Birky_41 said:

But I did and ran 8.06

Managed 7.54 that lap then it was finished for the day

I'm sorry, but you did a 8.06 and a 7.54 BTG in your first laps of the ring on a tourist day on a Tuono? Either you're timing it wrong or you run at the back end of MotoGp in your spare time.

I did a 8:02 last year and i've been going 7yrs and done 150 laps or so.

Edited by eddd1e on Sunday 30th April 17:36

[Chipchap]

opcorn:

[Birky_41]

eddd1e said:

I'm sorry, but you did a 8.06 and a 7.54 BTG in your first laps of the ring on a tourist day on a Tuono? Either you're timing it wrong or you run at the back end of MotoGp in your spare time.

I did a 8:02 last year and i've been going 7yrs and done 150 laps or so.

Edited by eddd1e on Sunday 30th April 17:36

Haha I have to take that as a compliment then because I did and when today with immense traffic was 8.18

Joe on his rsv4 using the same harry app did a 7.59. He's went last year and did 5 laps and did another 6 or so today

I did 5 laps including following my mate and I'm damn pleased with myself. I have a video of each lap today. One following Billy the instructor and one following boosted Boris in the mclarens. He will have videos of Tom and me up in the next day as he came over and videod chatting to us

Biggest issue I had was the metz m7rr moving about all over the place

[Birky_41]

Still in Germany so hard to upload videos on my phone. This is the last one following the mclarens. Apologise for the shaky camera. My fixing partially broke. It's unedited so I'll sort once at home

https://youtu.be/bn6j9Gmca44

A total of 4 red flags while I was there and yellow flags on the lap I just loaded. So so many crashes, lots of bikes off too

Having just come in almost straight away it was red flagged again and that was pretty much how Sunday went



Amazing scenary everywhere though. Enjoyed some lunch out when ring was closed for the first time



And none of us crashed, or had any bad moments. I'll leave the weekend stuff I think for the cars as it's a bit Russian roulette but ill definitely be back