Cerb to the 'Ring - first time, what to expect
Discussion
In a little over two weeks I will be taking my Cerb to the 'Ring in the company of Bomber Denton and his Cosworth Merc who is not exactly a track day virgin and a certain Mr Hildrew late of Ruf Porsche and V Max fame and his weapon of choice. Here's my dilemma, I've never done a track day before, don't really want to. My Cerb has polybushed suspension and Nitrons which have transformed the handling no end, and even if I say so myself, I a passably good driver.
I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
Tyre Smoke said:
In a little over two weeks I will be taking my Cerb to the 'Ring in the company of Bomber Denton and his Cosworth Merc who is not exactly a track day virgin and a certain Mr Hildrew late of Ruf Porsche and V Max fame and his weapon of choice. Here's my dilemma, I've never done a track day before, don't really want to. My Cerb has polybushed suspension and Nitrons which have transformed the handling no end, and even if I say so myself, I a passably good driver.
I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
Subject to weather, in the dry you need to get to know the track, maybe as a passenger for couple of laps and then head out, best bet is an evening session, where there is less traffic. Your be fine if you take it easy and then progress, but it takes a good 8+ laps to really start to learn the track. Depending on the date the GP Circuit maybe open, and is worth doing a 20 min session. I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
Also I find having a passenger to spot for you is a good idea, but just keep your eyes open.
After some nice dry quiet laps your be fine, your get the bug I am sure! I would not try in the Wet tho!
Its ok in a FWD car but in RWD it is interesting !And I am sure your be more than capable of a 10 min lap at the end of your trip!
Edited by Stu_00 on Friday 4th September 14:33
you'll enjoy the trip there's a great atmosphere at the ring,
First couple of laps I did were very slow just to get a feel for the place. The guy at the hotel we stayed in gave us a couple of pieces of advise such as
1) if its wet don't even bother going out, this was confirmed when we watch a guy drop a bike at what looked like running pace.
2) Do not time yourself, chasing times before you know the place well is not a good idea.
3) worth taking a passenger out with you to look for fast approaching traffic, mean you can concentrate on what coming up.
I enjoyed the ring although after 6 laps I found myself approaching blind crests / corners thinking I knew where I was and finding out I was wrong.
Enjoy the trip
First couple of laps I did were very slow just to get a feel for the place. The guy at the hotel we stayed in gave us a couple of pieces of advise such as
1) if its wet don't even bother going out, this was confirmed when we watch a guy drop a bike at what looked like running pace.
2) Do not time yourself, chasing times before you know the place well is not a good idea.
3) worth taking a passenger out with you to look for fast approaching traffic, mean you can concentrate on what coming up.
I enjoyed the ring although after 6 laps I found myself approaching blind crests / corners thinking I knew where I was and finding out I was wrong.
Enjoy the trip
Edited by andye30m3 on Friday 4th September 15:23
First - enjoy it its a fantastic place. Enjoy the whole ambience and theatre not just the laps.
Second - take it easy; I would not recommend going 'for a time' - that's the way accidents happen
Third - as advised by previous posters get a couple of passenger laps first before you go out driving.
Finally, in the Cerb you have a high probability of arriving at some fairly innocuous looking corners at a fair old clip. I'm thinking of Schwedenkreuz, Metzgefeldt, Schwalbenschwantz, etc. - there is very little margin for error. From what you say I think if you drive within yourself you will be doing respectable times, just don't push.
Finally (again
) there are likely to be plenty of accidents, yellow flags, and closures if you are chasing a time these will frustrate you. If you are driving for fun they won't matter so much.
Second - take it easy; I would not recommend going 'for a time' - that's the way accidents happen
Third - as advised by previous posters get a couple of passenger laps first before you go out driving.
Finally, in the Cerb you have a high probability of arriving at some fairly innocuous looking corners at a fair old clip. I'm thinking of Schwedenkreuz, Metzgefeldt, Schwalbenschwantz, etc. - there is very little margin for error. From what you say I think if you drive within yourself you will be doing respectable times, just don't push.
Finally (again
) there are likely to be plenty of accidents, yellow flags, and closures if you are chasing a time these will frustrate you. If you are driving for fun they won't matter so much.I went there for my first time on Sunday. What a place!
As other posters have said,
drive within your limits,
don't try to get a fast time,
get a couple of passenger laps first,
just let other cars past you without racing them (I had to let a Volvo Estate past!),
be especially aware going over blind crests ect,
Most of all just have loads of fun!!
I just potted round nice and slow and safe on my very first lap and build up from there.
As other posters have said,
drive within your limits,
don't try to get a fast time,
get a couple of passenger laps first,
just let other cars past you without racing them (I had to let a Volvo Estate past!),
be especially aware going over blind crests ect,
Most of all just have loads of fun!!
I just potted round nice and slow and safe on my very first lap and build up from there.
A little from my first 'ring experience (and first track experience) a couple oo weeks ago.
Arrived Saturday, did a few laps, felt highly frustrated at not getting a chance to drive because I was always busy letting people past. Still I was enjoying the experience, but still went to bed thinking "I suck at this".
Rolled up Sunday first thing, had an infinitely better lap. The track was a lot less busy and I got to drive and I felt more as though "That's what I came here to do". I was lucky enough to be given a passenger lap on the Sunday too, which was a real bonus. Went out and had a really great time on track on Sunday - although my last 2 laps I think I eased off due to brakes and various other factors (like being a big scaredy cat).
I didn't do nearly as many laps as I thought I would. It was really hot and the laps really take it out of you - 1000x more than any drive on normal roads, from the finest mountain passes in Scotland to Autobahns at +140 mph is nowhere close to how tiring it is. People told me this before I went but I didn't realise just how much until after my first few laps.
Take driving gloves and a helmet - you may miss out on a passenger lap if you don't have a helmet. IMO driving gloves are a must.
Have fun!
Arrived Saturday, did a few laps, felt highly frustrated at not getting a chance to drive because I was always busy letting people past. Still I was enjoying the experience, but still went to bed thinking "I suck at this".
Rolled up Sunday first thing, had an infinitely better lap. The track was a lot less busy and I got to drive and I felt more as though "That's what I came here to do". I was lucky enough to be given a passenger lap on the Sunday too, which was a real bonus. Went out and had a really great time on track on Sunday - although my last 2 laps I think I eased off due to brakes and various other factors (like being a big scaredy cat).
I didn't do nearly as many laps as I thought I would. It was really hot and the laps really take it out of you - 1000x more than any drive on normal roads, from the finest mountain passes in Scotland to Autobahns at +140 mph is nowhere close to how tiring it is. People told me this before I went but I didn't realise just how much until after my first few laps.
Take driving gloves and a helmet - you may miss out on a passenger lap if you don't have a helmet. IMO driving gloves are a must.
Have fun!
Tyre Smoke said:
Thanks for that chaps, what does it cost is my last dumb question?
I'm definitely going out to enjoy it, so no, I don't think I'll aim for the Armco. Even if wet I surely have to drive around once, even at 30mph because it's a long way to go not to!
22 euro per lap or you can buy more for slightly less.I'm definitely going out to enjoy it, so no, I don't think I'll aim for the Armco. Even if wet I surely have to drive around once, even at 30mph because it's a long way to go not to!
I bought 8 laps for 145 euro i think.
2009 Price (Euros)
Single lap €22
4-lap ticket €75
8-lap ticket €145
15-lap ticket €250
25-lap ticket €390
66 laps Breakeven point for a Jahreskarte
Jahreskarte €1,075
You can find most info you need on this site - http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/
When you pay you will be given a card. you will need to put some money on it also for any food and drink at the diner.
Single lap €22
4-lap ticket €75
8-lap ticket €145
15-lap ticket €250
25-lap ticket €390
66 laps Breakeven point for a Jahreskarte
Jahreskarte €1,075
You can find most info you need on this site - http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/
When you pay you will be given a card. you will need to put some money on it also for any food and drink at the diner.
I've done the grand total of 16 laps round the ring in my Cerb now. Only tips I have are as follows.
Practice on a PS2, no-where near driving the real thing but it will at least give you an ideaof where the course goes.
First lap, take it easy. Don't be pushed by anyone just let them pass (ON THE LEFT ONLY). If you can go round with someone who knows the circuit. There are always some people around near the entrance.
Do a lap then come in and grab a cuppa from Devils Diner and relax.
On your second lap don't think you will have tamed it so just concentrate on driving smoothly.
If it's wet be VERY careful, grip levels vary wildly round the circuit due to the changing tarmac. Paint on the track also makes it very slippery. Particularly watch it in the downhill section near Adeanau as it will easily swap ends on you here under heavy braking.
Main thing is enjoy yourself. Just treat it as a spirited drive on an unknown country road and you'll be fine.
Also, watch out for bikers.
Good luck!
Practice on a PS2, no-where near driving the real thing but it will at least give you an ideaof where the course goes.
First lap, take it easy. Don't be pushed by anyone just let them pass (ON THE LEFT ONLY). If you can go round with someone who knows the circuit. There are always some people around near the entrance.
Do a lap then come in and grab a cuppa from Devils Diner and relax.
On your second lap don't think you will have tamed it so just concentrate on driving smoothly.
If it's wet be VERY careful, grip levels vary wildly round the circuit due to the changing tarmac. Paint on the track also makes it very slippery. Particularly watch it in the downhill section near Adeanau as it will easily swap ends on you here under heavy braking.
Main thing is enjoy yourself. Just treat it as a spirited drive on an unknown country road and you'll be fine.
Also, watch out for bikers.
Good luck!
Tyre Smoke said:
In a little over two weeks I will be taking my Cerb to the 'Ring in the company of Bomber Denton and his Cosworth Merc who is not exactly a track day virgin and a certain Mr Hildrew late of Ruf Porsche and V Max fame and his weapon of choice. Here's my dilemma, I've never done a track day before, don't really want to. My Cerb has polybushed suspension and Nitrons which have transformed the handling no end, and even if I say so myself, I a passably good driver.
I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
When you there exactly? I'm there 18th to 21st in my Cosworth Merc.....rarely see them at the 'ring, two at once would be great!I have no plans to go hell for leather and sod the consequences but wondered if there are any pointers anyone can give me. For example, is a sub 10min lap a realistic aim? Or am I just kidding myself.
Should I just tootle round (relatively speaking)just to say I've done it and then look forward to the steak at Sabine's and the weekend at the Spa6?
I'd say it takes about a dozen laps to get a vague idea of where the track goes, so you have some idea of which corners you can push on. As with any track day some sort of tuition (from a 'local' like RSR) would help no end in learning it.
What to expect? Well a local in a diesel hatchback will go tearing round the outside of you at some point. The quickest cars will scare the bejesus out of you the first time they approach with a big speed differential, but rapidly you'll find that pulling over to let quicker traffic past is a necessary annoyance rather than anything scary. Likewise, you'll start to find yourself overtaking more traffic in front and because it's a public road with varying levels of skill and courtessy you'll want to give them a wide berth when you do so, which again becomes a pain. Bikers are worse still as they often ride in groups to form a sort of serpent capable of occupying both sides of the track at once. Every so often one of them will decide to spread his internal ograns over the track and the session will be red flagged for 15 minutes or so while they scrape him up. Then, at some point, you'll finally get a clearish lap where you finally have some idea where the track is going and it'll feel close to perfection. Then retire to the hotel for a beer and a good steak and recount the days exploits with your mates.
So that's it in a nutshell... I certainly wouldn't expect to set any records first time out, but I'd guess sub 10 minutes is possible in a Cerb with a clearish track and some idea what you're doing after a day there.
What to expect? Well a local in a diesel hatchback will go tearing round the outside of you at some point. The quickest cars will scare the bejesus out of you the first time they approach with a big speed differential, but rapidly you'll find that pulling over to let quicker traffic past is a necessary annoyance rather than anything scary. Likewise, you'll start to find yourself overtaking more traffic in front and because it's a public road with varying levels of skill and courtessy you'll want to give them a wide berth when you do so, which again becomes a pain. Bikers are worse still as they often ride in groups to form a sort of serpent capable of occupying both sides of the track at once. Every so often one of them will decide to spread his internal ograns over the track and the session will be red flagged for 15 minutes or so while they scrape him up. Then, at some point, you'll finally get a clearish lap where you finally have some idea where the track is going and it'll feel close to perfection. Then retire to the hotel for a beer and a good steak and recount the days exploits with your mates.
So that's it in a nutshell... I certainly wouldn't expect to set any records first time out, but I'd guess sub 10 minutes is possible in a Cerb with a clearish track and some idea what you're doing after a day there.
Tyre Smoke said:
amazon said:
It's fab!
You could do a YouTube Search for BossCerbera's hot lap in his 4.5 (Cerburgring 2007) - not sure if you'll particularly find it helpful, but it's great to watch!
Oddly enough I'm meeting up with Phil at Spa afterwards!You could do a YouTube Search for BossCerbera's hot lap in his 4.5 (Cerburgring 2007) - not sure if you'll particularly find it helpful, but it's great to watch!
which is the following weekend! Hard for me to do both 
Have a great time!
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