The Ring - the basics/all I need to know/do
Discussion
I know there is a ton of info on the Ring but all I think I need to know is::
When its open for normal 'anyone turn up' days and that is shown here: http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/drives-fun/drives/to...
Where to stay and that is shown here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g315836...
Then book ferry/tunnel and just get on with it. Its that simple right? If I don't get my arse in gear it'll be another year of 'I meant to go to the Ring this year' in December. A few other people have made rumblings about going for the first time too to me but unless someone gets off their arse and says 'We're doing it' (Me) I suspect we'll all be planning our first trip this time next year!
When its open for normal 'anyone turn up' days and that is shown here: http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/drives-fun/drives/to...
Where to stay and that is shown here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g315836...
Then book ferry/tunnel and just get on with it. Its that simple right? If I don't get my arse in gear it'll be another year of 'I meant to go to the Ring this year' in December. A few other people have made rumblings about going for the first time too to me but unless someone gets off their arse and says 'We're doing it' (Me) I suspect we'll all be planning our first trip this time next year!
Does your insurance cover you in Europe fully comp, or just 3rd party?
Are you going to purchase any 1st party track cover?
Have you got European breakdown/recovery, or are you handy with the tools you're going to take with you?
Are you going to carry a set of spares (pads, oil, belts, plugs, coils, etc.)?
etc...
Are you going to purchase any 1st party track cover?
Have you got European breakdown/recovery, or are you handy with the tools you're going to take with you?
Are you going to carry a set of spares (pads, oil, belts, plugs, coils, etc.)?
etc...
You will need to comply with European driving regulations, e.g. fluorescent jacket, spare bulbs.
European Breakdown cover (ADAC is best as this covers the Ring also) and travel insurance is recommended.
At the ring, always park up and buy your tickets BEFORE you try to venture onto the track. So many get caught at the gates without a ticket and have to suffer the embarrassment of having to turn around and head back to the car park.
For the best experience on the Ring, arrive either early or stay late to avoid the Wacky Racers.
European Breakdown cover (ADAC is best as this covers the Ring also) and travel insurance is recommended.
At the ring, always park up and buy your tickets BEFORE you try to venture onto the track. So many get caught at the gates without a ticket and have to suffer the embarrassment of having to turn around and head back to the car park.
For the best experience on the Ring, arrive either early or stay late to avoid the Wacky Racers.
The short version on insurance is that any damage to your car is the last of your concerns:
It isn't a trackday (unless you do a trackday - normal tourist laps are not), it's a public road, and therefore you must be insured.
However, most/many insurers call out the ring as an exemption.
Finally if you do hit anything, it is liable to get ruinously expensive, very fast, therefore you need to be covered.
It isn't a trackday (unless you do a trackday - normal tourist laps are not), it's a public road, and therefore you must be insured.
However, most/many insurers call out the ring as an exemption.
Finally if you do hit anything, it is liable to get ruinously expensive, very fast, therefore you need to be covered.
doogalman said:
Being an instructor here at the Ring, my best advice would be to do a trackday instead of driviving in Tourist sessions.
Otherwise do some sighting style laps to get the feel of the track. This place can bite hard when it goes wrong, what car do you drive? Or get some instruction.
Aren't they about £500 a day though?Otherwise do some sighting style laps to get the feel of the track. This place can bite hard when it goes wrong, what car do you drive? Or get some instruction.
tertius said:
If you are going to drive on a public day then rent a car locally from one of the many specialist providers of ring rentals - race-rentcar, rent4ring, RSR, etc.
It''ll be prepared and supported in the event of problems, it'll be insured and they'll give you sensible, helpful advice.
You will be insured but this will not cover the bills for the barriers or ring stoppage, accident attendance costs and the excess is usually the same as a replacement car. It''ll be prepared and supported in the event of problems, it'll be insured and they'll give you sensible, helpful advice.
Frimley111R said:
Right, well this is simple enough!
I avoid tourist days now purely because it's nigh on impossible to get insurance. I can get track cover for all UK and European track days as a separate product to my road insurance but even the track day insurance company won't cover tourist days.Chances are you aren't insured. It's worth asking your insurance company but they all seem to have the Ring as a specific exclusion these days. I wouldnt drive uninsured on the road so there's no way I'm doing it at a venue like the Ring. Imagine if you took out a biker? Bad enough that you've taken out the biker in the first place but the potential lifelong financial implications of not being insured don't bear thinking about. I'll be going a few times this year but to track days only if in my car. Any tourist days will be done in a hire car from someone like Rent4Ring.
If anyone has the details of an insurance company that offer tourist cover then I'm all ears.
The rest of the planning is easy:
1: Pick your dates based on track opening times.
2: Pick and book your crossing. Hull to Rotterdam/Zeebrugge over night on the party boat or Chunnel/ferry via Dover/Calais are the main crossings.
3: Book accommodation. There are endless places round the Ring to stay. Takes minutes to book
4: Buy a warning triangle, reflective jacket, GB sticker (if not on number plates) and headlight beam deflectors if needed.
It might seem daunting but it's really not difficult.
supertouring said:
tertius said:
If you are going to drive on a public day then rent a car locally from one of the many specialist providers of ring rentals - race-rentcar, rent4ring, RSR, etc.
It''ll be prepared and supported in the event of problems, it'll be insured and they'll give you sensible, helpful advice.
You will be insured but this will not cover the bills for the barriers or ring stoppage, accident attendance costs and the excess is usually the same as a replacement car. It''ll be prepared and supported in the event of problems, it'll be insured and they'll give you sensible, helpful advice.
With regards to using a shed because it doesn't matter if it gets damaged, Last time I was there a guy dropped oil, was stopped when he pulled off the the track by the police and one by one introduced to the owners of the 5 cars and bike that had crashed on his oil. They will have all wanted his insurance or bank details.
The hire car excesses seam a lot at a min of £4k but in reality aren't too bad at all.
Munter said:
supertouring said:
excess is usually the same as a replacement car.
Excess for RSRs Renaultsport Twingo = €4000 / £3100I don't think I'd be able to buy one for that price.
But yes, point taken - being covered for 3rd party is more of a priority.
Alternately, just don't crash.
andye30m3 said:
Last time I was there a guy dropped oil, was stopped when he pulled off the the track by the police and one by one introduced to the owners of the 5 cars and bike that had crashed on his oil. They will have all wanted his insurance or bank details.
A few years ago we saw a guy in a 911 get stopped at the exit and "marched" over to the awaiting police car and taken away. He had dropped oil/fluid and a few bikers had fallen on it.
They are very strict on that type of thing.
Me and my brother are taking my dad there for his 60th birthday in June. Been lots before and we always pick the Le Mans week as its alot a quiter. Always stay in the same hotel, Hotel an der Nordschleife, and go on the ring on public days, so far touch wood no problems. To be fair as much as you think you are a driving god, as soon as you get on the Ring it slows you down (especially if you have spent an unhealthy amount of time time on Youtube looking at Ring crashes lol) and for this reason we have booked a flying lap with RSR in their M3 which im looking forward to. But like everything the costs soon mount up but its worth going even if its just once.
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