Nordschleife TF May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

[anonymous-user]

Although it is a tourist day I though this was the best place to ask.

Is anybody going down for the four days? These days are full days which is relatively rare.

I'm taking my EP3 CTR track car for her first trip to the 'ring. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of time I can muster (depending on traffic for both our safety).

I've completed 50 laps so reasonably familiar with the 'ring. I can't wait

[mmm-five]

Will be there for the full 4 days, but will probably stick to doing the majority of my laps between 8-10am and 5-7pm.

Still manage to get about 50 laps in.

There's only a few of us going this time as the others can't make it - we'll be in an e34 M5, Z4M coupe, and Skyline GTR R33.

[anonymous-user]

I'm going down with a couple of R8s, GTR, Clio 200 and 1M.

Completely agree on your timings it's the only half clear laps you get in.

[shaunsmith]

All 4 days, first trip of the year. Been going for over 12 years at least twice a year, don't recall 4 days like this.....

Noble M400 and a mental Golf R

[anonymous-user]

My first trip this year as well. Looks like there will be a few of us to have chat then. Looking forward to it. Where are you guys staying? One of the blokes has sorted out the Lindner Congress for us. I haven't been there before.

I usually stay either at the Dorint or Tiergarten hotel so it will be upmarket this time around.

[shaunsmith]

Linder is superb, nicer than Dorint but doesn't have the view of the track great views of the countryside though.
We use both on trips, Dorint this time around.
If there is a lot of us we get an apartment at Adenau bridge.
Funnily enough last year we had the top floor apartment for 5 of us, there were 17 beds.....

[foxsasha]

We had the drivers briefing an signing on for. Ring track day at Lindner Congress last week. Never been in before, think I'll be staying there in the future. The casino is an added bonus.

What are you guys doing about insurance? I've been scared off tourist days as I can't find cover.

[nickfrog]

Indeed you can't buy third party insurance for a UK reg car on TF - hence my admiration for the OP trying to get a lap time in one on a TF day, particularly after only 50 laps, particularly on a weekend... I wish I had the balls.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 14th April 13:08

[anonymous-user]

With everything there is a case of risk vs reward. Many factors will dictate if I go balls out or not, weather, time of day, amount of traffic etc. I'm not going to put myself or others in anymore danger than there already is by forcing passes.

If it feels good then i'll go for it. I will admit having the planets align is rare but I've had a few of great laps in the early morning.

[nickfrog]

Providing you understand the almost limitless 3rd party liability and the fact that German highway code applies, then why not ?

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 14th April 19:28

[anonymous-user]

Exactly. Passing on the right on a TF is not only dangerous but illegal and will get you banned for a day or worse.

I also don't fancy paying for a GT3RS/Speciale/Schirmer M3/armco etc to get repaired after some typical British Nordschleife driving. (I'm obviously not suggesting I can keep up with any of those cars but I have got 229bhp on tap).

[stef1808]

Thanks for bringing these days to my attention. Most likely see you there in my caged m3 or gt2

[anonymous-user]

Awesome, see you there.

[stef1808]

Damn didn't make it. Called away on business :-(

Enjoy it and report back how busy it was

[itcaptainslow]

I was there on Thursday & Friday. Mentally busy Thursday, we got down to the track at 8am and managed a few laps before it was closed. By which point it was a struggle to get in and out of the car park and the queue off the Ring down the Dottinger Hohe straight was unbelievable.

This is the fourth TF I've done-to be honest in the future I'm going to stick to closed trackdays-much more expensive, yes, but better value IMO with less chance of meeting a vehicle doing 30mph around the next corner (I'm thinking of a crash involving a MX5 nearly taking out a slow bike) or some nutter who simply HAS to keep his toe in looking for the greatest lap ever wiping you out.

[anonymous-user]

I'm still currently at the 'ring so the GoPro footage will have to wait until tomorrow evening but I managed to squeeze an 8 min 02:42 out of her today with traffic using Harrys lap timer Grand Prix Edition.

It was easily a sub 8 lap damn those cars!

I have still got 4 laps for tomorrow morning so i'll see if I can get that first EP3 sub 8.

As far as I'm aware a driver called Dany Czech completed an 8 min 15 which was the fastest EP3 to lap the Nordschleife to date so I think I may now have YouTube bragging rights with my little 229bhp machine. Whatever that is worth.

I'll do a full write up when i'm back in the UK.

If anybody is still here tomorrow I'm in the stripped silver EP3 with white alloys, please come over for a chat.

[ukkid35]

itcaptainslow said:

This is the fourth TF I've done-to be honest in the future I'm going to stick to closed trackdays-much more expensive, yes, but better value IMO with less chance of meeting a vehicle doing 30mph around the next corner

I did five years of TF before I transitioned to trackdays. But I still end up being sucked in to TF whenever I'm in the area (Zolder, Spa wherever).

I've never bought an annual TF pass, unlike some of my UK mates, that really would be a different level of commitment.

[ukkid35]

I've given up TF, promise! I was just passing by - Give me a break...

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I enjoy trackdays at the 'ring but nothing, for me anyways comes close to TF.

[nickfrog]

Can't be bothered with TF chavfests anymore, too much to lose - DN all the way for me, really good value.