Nurburgring advice please?
Discussion
Check car over FULLY before heading out on track. For first few corners check your brakes at slow speed to ensure you can stop effectively. No point trying to drive quickly if you cant stop.
Remember to keep to the right when people are wanting to get past, German road rules apply as its classed as a public road.
Its an awesome experience so enjoy it!
Remember to keep to the right when people are wanting to get past, German road rules apply as its classed as a public road.
Its an awesome experience so enjoy it!
I have been out there 3 times in total now over the past 2 years and still don't know it well enough to be fully confident. One thing to say is the the Nurburgring is far from a trackday.. It's far more dangerous!! From the lack of run off areas to the chNging weather conditions around different areas of the track, not to mention cars and bikes being on there together both using different racing lines!!
I am not trying to put you off, far from it because I would recommend it to any petrolhead but when you do decide to do a lap be very careful. Take you time and keep an eye in your mirrors for very fast bikes and GT3's etc
one other thing that might sound silly but will help in preparing before you go would be get as much practice as possible on the playstation!! Seriously, it really helps in knowing where the track goes and it's amazing just how life like it really is, apart from gradient variations!!
I am sure you will get a lot more advice but hope my small contribution helps
I am not trying to put you off, far from it because I would recommend it to any petrolhead but when you do decide to do a lap be very careful. Take you time and keep an eye in your mirrors for very fast bikes and GT3's etc
one other thing that might sound silly but will help in preparing before you go would be get as much practice as possible on the playstation!! Seriously, it really helps in knowing where the track goes and it's amazing just how life like it really is, apart from gradient variations!!
I am sure you will get a lot more advice but hope my small contribution helps
HereBeMonsters said:
Everything you need to know: http://nurburgring.org.uk/
Wow, its come back to life. In no particular order my advice would be:
1. watch your mirrors
2. drive your own lap - do not try to chase other cars, however, fast or slow you think they are in comparison to your car. Probably more than any other circuit, local knowledge is worth way more than bhp
3. have a steak on a stone at the Pistenklause
4. do not put pepper on the hot stone
5. check the calendar before you book - here
6. do not park in the car park unless you are going to go out on the circuit
7. read your insurance documents very carefully before you go
8. watch lots of videos - personally I find this more useful than the games, but ymmv - Derek Bell In Car 956 is awesome but he's probably lapping a bit quicker than you will
9. read the website posted above
10. www.northloop.co.uk has a useful forum
10. do not try to "go for a time"
if its your first trip my advice will be just enjoy it, dont drive it like a track day in the uk, as said treat it like a fast road, use your mirrors, be aware of other road users. once you have a few laps under you belt, come home and reflect on the weekend, then go back and just get more experience on the ring, knowlage is more important than horsepower!
and you must have a steak on the stone at the Pistenklause.
and you must have a steak on the stone at the Pistenklause.
Edited by steve_bmw on Wednesday 3rd February 23:45
Edited by steve_bmw on Wednesday 3rd February 23:47
Most insurance policys clearly state than your insurance is not valid on the 'North Loop'!! From experience looking at getting an independant cover, even for a day, is very very expensive!! I have had to drive it with no cover, so I have been careful!! But accidents do happen, and on here a lot.
Maybe look into some tuition?
I didn't bother when I went to the ring - all 13 miles of it - yet I found it helped massively to learn the fast way around the comparitively simple and, relatively speaking, miniscule layout at Bedford. In retrospect it would probably have helped massively at the Ring and RSR are known to be excellent.
Other things - once you get used to it, faster traffic isn't much of a problem, just keep half an eye on your mirrors. Catching slower traffic can be more of an issue if they try and outdrag you on the straights, which some do. Just keep relaxed and once again drive like a one-way public road. Also remember you probably will be overtaken by a local in a slightly smokey diesel estate!
I suppose one of the cliches is to get a ride in the 'ring taxi. I didn't, but it could be fun. Rumour has it you need to book way in advance.
I didn't bother when I went to the ring - all 13 miles of it - yet I found it helped massively to learn the fast way around the comparitively simple and, relatively speaking, miniscule layout at Bedford. In retrospect it would probably have helped massively at the Ring and RSR are known to be excellent.
Other things - once you get used to it, faster traffic isn't much of a problem, just keep half an eye on your mirrors. Catching slower traffic can be more of an issue if they try and outdrag you on the straights, which some do. Just keep relaxed and once again drive like a one-way public road. Also remember you probably will be overtaken by a local in a slightly smokey diesel estate!
I suppose one of the cliches is to get a ride in the 'ring taxi. I didn't, but it could be fun. Rumour has it you need to book way in advance.
Having driven my own car there. I'd suggest you go. But I'd also suggest you rent a car from someone like these guys. It avoids a lot of interesting insurance questions. And split 2 ways, I don't think the cost is too bad.
http://rsrnurburg.com/index.php?option=com_content...
http://rsrnurburg.com/index.php?option=com_content...
If youre two-up then have the passenger adjust the near side door mirror for their use: they can then spot cars approaching (tricked-up Polos & Golfs will leave you standing). Keep right where you can: if a car hits you from behind and youre on the left hand side of the circuit then the German police ill blame you. If you come across an accident and people have already stopped, then dont. If they havent then park out of the way and flag approaching vehicles. Motorcyclists do not know that youe there, wait until they acknowledge you.
GC8 said:
If youre two-up then have the passenger adjust the near side door mirror for their use: they can then spot cars approaching (tricked-up Polos & Golfs will leave you standing).
This was the best advise the guy in our hotel gave us, you look forward and let a trusted passenger keep a close eye out behind. obviously you'll still end up checking the mirrors but it stops them being the principal place your looking. other than that, do not time yourself as chasing lap times before you really know the ring is not a good idea and if it's raining or the track is damp be very careful, It was suggested to us that if it was raining don't even bother going out.
We had our first trip there last year and will be heading back again this year. On our first trip with drove like grannies, didn't over take / catch a great deal but still enjoyed the experience enough to be desperate to head back. I would simply drive it like a fast A road.
Insurance does seam to be a huge issue at the ring, check your documents if it excludes the ring by name I'd cancel the policy and look elsewhere. If it excludes tracks then it seams to become a grey area as officially its a public road.
Make sure your car is in top condition as you don't want a car crashing on fluid's you've dropped.
Our last day at the ring was quite sobering end to an amazing 2 week euro road trip as a guy in our hotel who we'd spent time chatting to wrote his car off, circa £30k's worth. he then got a £6k bill for recovery, track closure and barrier repairs, and having spoken to him since wasn't paid out. Accident was caused by someone else dragging mud onto the road on a blind crest, thankfully know one was hurt.
Other than that enjoy the trip and be prepared to head back every year as it does seam to be a bit addictive.
Most of it's already been said, but just to re-emphasise a few points:
DON'T try for a time, at all.
Relax and have fun, you will not learn the track if you're trying to be Herr Schumacher on your first visit, in fact you'll more than likely stack it if you do.
Make sure that your car is 100%, if it loses fluids and someone crashes on it your life could be well and truly ruined.
Bikers, some are mental fast and some are very slow and frustrating. A newbie biker will hold you up in the corners and then pull away from you on the straights. Now, this will make you want to pull out an AK-47 and 'deal' with him. DON'T, the AK-47 is your car, if you hassle him too much and he stacks it into the armco, you're fekked. If you try to pass him and he hasn't seen you and pulls into your path, you're fekked. Breathe deeply, and either follow him around at a safe distance for the rest of the lap or slow down and let him get away from you. If he has seen you and wants you to pass he'll indicate right or wave you passed, wait for either of these signals. You'll probably have to stop and flag for him in a few minutes anyway.
The mental fast bikers will appear from nowhere, so keep your eyes on your mirrors at all times and be prepared to let them pass you, it's helpful to them and for faster cars if you indicate right to show them that you've seen them.
It's also important to have the emergency number 08000 302-112 stored in your mobile in case you're the first on the scene of a crash and need to call it in. I always have the number on re-dial when I'm on the track so that I can call it with one press of the button.
If you are unlucky/stupid enough to hit something or come off the track and onto the grass covering the track in dirt, pull over and call it in, DO NOT try to do a runner. If you try to run and are caught (most of which are), you'll be prosecuted by the police for leaving the scene of an accident, and if in the meantime a biker has gone down on your dirt your life could be well and truly ruined.
The noise limit is 95dB and that is going to be more rigorously enforced this year, if your car's louder than that have something done about it or you may well make the trip over and be turned away at the barrier.
Hmm, I appear to have gone on a bit don't I?
Have fun!
Oh and don't get in the way of the local Golfs
DON'T try for a time, at all.
Relax and have fun, you will not learn the track if you're trying to be Herr Schumacher on your first visit, in fact you'll more than likely stack it if you do.
Make sure that your car is 100%, if it loses fluids and someone crashes on it your life could be well and truly ruined.
Bikers, some are mental fast and some are very slow and frustrating. A newbie biker will hold you up in the corners and then pull away from you on the straights. Now, this will make you want to pull out an AK-47 and 'deal' with him. DON'T, the AK-47 is your car, if you hassle him too much and he stacks it into the armco, you're fekked. If you try to pass him and he hasn't seen you and pulls into your path, you're fekked. Breathe deeply, and either follow him around at a safe distance for the rest of the lap or slow down and let him get away from you. If he has seen you and wants you to pass he'll indicate right or wave you passed, wait for either of these signals. You'll probably have to stop and flag for him in a few minutes anyway.
The mental fast bikers will appear from nowhere, so keep your eyes on your mirrors at all times and be prepared to let them pass you, it's helpful to them and for faster cars if you indicate right to show them that you've seen them.
It's also important to have the emergency number 08000 302-112 stored in your mobile in case you're the first on the scene of a crash and need to call it in. I always have the number on re-dial when I'm on the track so that I can call it with one press of the button.
If you are unlucky/stupid enough to hit something or come off the track and onto the grass covering the track in dirt, pull over and call it in, DO NOT try to do a runner. If you try to run and are caught (most of which are), you'll be prosecuted by the police for leaving the scene of an accident, and if in the meantime a biker has gone down on your dirt your life could be well and truly ruined.
The noise limit is 95dB and that is going to be more rigorously enforced this year, if your car's louder than that have something done about it or you may well make the trip over and be turned away at the barrier.
Hmm, I appear to have gone on a bit don't I?
Have fun!
Oh and don't get in the way of the local Golfs
markyx2cuk said:
Most insurance policys clearly state than your insurance is not valid on the 'North Loop'!! From experience looking at getting an independant cover, even for a day, is very very expensive!! I have had to drive it with no cover, so I have been careful!! But accidents do happen, and on here a lot.
According to a recent test case, stating 'not covered on the nurburgring' in an insurance policy was actually ruled illegal. The Nurburgring is a public one way toll road and insurers must legally provide at least third party cover for all EU roads, including the Nurburgring.Olivera said:
markyx2cuk said:
Most insurance policys clearly state than your insurance is not valid on the 'North Loop'!! From experience looking at getting an independant cover, even for a day, is very very expensive!! I have had to drive it with no cover, so I have been careful!! But accidents do happen, and on here a lot.
According to a recent test case, stating 'not covered on the nurburgring' in an insurance policy was actually ruled illegal. The Nurburgring is a public one way toll road and insurers must legally provide at least third party cover for all EU roads, including the Nurburgring.That legislation is there to protect the 3rd party from costs. Not you.
Interesting part is if your policy doesn't exclude the Nurburgring (or anything you can see that describes it), you'd think you'd be covered, yet your insurance company might disagree, and you'll have a fight on your hands. A long and potentially expensive fight.
Unless you know your insurer has paid out for a claim on the ring on the same policy wording, or you have it in writing from them that you have cover. I'd be looking hard at reducing your risk by renting a ring car.
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