Nurburgring 2017
Discussion
Great, super guys. Looking forward to meeting many of you in April (with Circuit Days), in May and/or in August (with Destination Nurburgring). I'll either be in a McLaren 12C (in uncommon dark blue) or, depending on the weather forecast, I'll bring my Lotus 3-Eleven (which goes to build this week) if I'm feeling particularly brave!
Hi Nigel - loving your Golf track special. I think I've seen it in action on previous visits to the Green Hell. Quite a weapon and many scalps taken I bet judging by how quickly you were lapping.
Hi Nigel - loving your Golf track special. I think I've seen it in action on previous visits to the Green Hell. Quite a weapon and many scalps taken I bet judging by how quickly you were lapping.
supertouring said:
Couple of us doing April Circuit Days event.
Only done Tourist day previously (last 10 years) but either I am getting older or they are getting more like Wacky Races every year.
What are the trackdays like?
Going with a reputable club like Circuit Days or Destination Nurburgring is definitely the way to go. After 5+ years getting my Ring fix on Tourist Days I decided it was just getting too busy and too dangerous. A hugely frustrating weekend which coincided with German Car Friday was the end for me. Also fast cars and fast bikes do not mix. Wacky Races is spot on!Only done Tourist day previously (last 10 years) but either I am getting older or they are getting more like Wacky Races every year.
What are the trackdays like?
Although they aren't cheap, club track days are infinitely better - less hectic, less queuing and less accidents, although you still can't rule them out. I always have a wry smile on my face when young guys turn up in powerful rear drive cars and, because they're done 100 laps on Playstation, think they know the circuit like the back of their hands. They usually last half a lap
I can't wait for the first Nurburgring trip in April with Circuit Days. Wanted to baptise the Lotus 3-Eleven, which is currently in build (see below) but will take the McLaren 12C instead. Having said that, the most fun I've had going round the Green Hell was in a standard Porsche Cayman - a superbly balanced car and one in which you could commit to 99.9%. Always leave something in reserve 
In my experience the performance potential of a car has little bearing with the speed in which it laps the Nurburgring. Simply, there are very quick drivers in relatively humble cars who are also vastly experienced with the track. And experience at the Green Hell is worth a huge amount. To put it another way, if you look in your rear view mirror and don't see anyone behind you then look in your rear view mirror again a few corners later and someone is behind you, then they are lapping faster than you, regardless what they're driving! I've been fortunate enough to take a number of serious performance cars to the Ring over the years, but I've never had any issue in pulling over for anyone, regardless what they were driving. I also don't want to be lapping with someone up my chuff, which some drivers bizarrely seem to get a kick out of (holding someone back). Of course, there are quick drivers in quick cars but they're usually by you in a blink of an eye and safely too. It's the guys who think they know the Ring and think they are pretty handy driving powerful cars that you need to watch out for. You'll spot them soon enough!
It took me 50+ laps to get to know the Nurburgring (maybe some PH'ers are quicker learners?!) so build up to it, go at your own pace, watch your mirrors and enjoy!
It took me 50+ laps to get to know the Nurburgring (maybe some PH'ers are quicker learners?!) so build up to it, go at your own pace, watch your mirrors and enjoy!
I've found that you only really know a circuit if you can close your eyes and drive an accurate lap all in your head. Easy enough with a track like Goodwood, somewhat harder with the 13 mile long Nordschleife (and that's in the dry)! After 10 years driving the Ring I'm still learning it, which is half the fun of course 
Just digging through my Nurburgring photo library and came across this pic of my Porsche 997 GT3RS, which has certainly whetted the appetite for April's visit with Circuit Days! The Porsche was beautifully suited to the Green Hell - engine, braking, and handling all in perfect balance, although perhaps it was a little too stiff than ideal for the circuit. Although I won't be in the RS this year, I'm looking forward to taking the 12C there for the first time.
I'm not surprised to hear your 996 Turbo handled so well at the Nurburgring; unlike my 997 GT3RS I'm sure its suspension was far better suited to the less than billiard table smooth surface of the Green Hell!
The best sportscar I've ever driven round the Ring was my old Cayman R (see below). I got Paragon Porsche in Sussex to fit a big brake kit, bucket seats, harnesses and Pirelli Trofeo R track tyres and the thing just flew! You could use all of its performance, all of the time. It was just such a beautifully balanced, friendly machine that you could commit to 100%. For keen track day drivers without an unlimited budget, I would recommend one unreservedly.
The best sportscar I've ever driven round the Ring was my old Cayman R (see below). I got Paragon Porsche in Sussex to fit a big brake kit, bucket seats, harnesses and Pirelli Trofeo R track tyres and the thing just flew! You could use all of its performance, all of the time. It was just such a beautifully balanced, friendly machine that you could commit to 100%. For keen track day drivers without an unlimited budget, I would recommend one unreservedly.
The most "exciting" car I've had at the Nurburgring was my 997 GT2, which I sadly sold a few years' ago (before the boom). After a couple of days lapping the Green Hell in that thing, I understood why fanboys called it the "widow-maker". Slow in fast out was the best method for me. Get it in a straight line, put your foot down, count to three...and then you're transported to the next corner almost instantly!
I'll be in something only a little less intense on 11th April with Circuit Days
I'll be in something only a little less intense on 11th April with Circuit Days
Adenauer said:
baronbennyt said:
I'll be in something only a little less intense on 11th April with Circuit Days
What might that be? Go on, put use all out of our misery, I don't think you've mentioned it yet? 
Digga said:
Top weaponry!
My 996 turbo has been magicked up to 502hp by Wayne at Chip Wizards and seems to benefit from similar tactics. My only gripe with the turbos is you can sit the car on the throttles through most of the corners quite so easily as an N/A, but the thrust is intoxicating.
Your 996 Turbo sounds like quite a trick piece of kit My 996 turbo has been magicked up to 502hp by Wayne at Chip Wizards and seems to benefit from similar tactics. My only gripe with the turbos is you can sit the car on the throttles through most of the corners quite so easily as an N/A, but the thrust is intoxicating.
4wd might also come in handy in April... 
Only a month to go before my first Nurburgring trip of the year with Circuit Days on Tuesday 11th April. The McLaren 12C has had it's paint protection film applied and a pre-track inspection carried out, so I'm ready to roll
I'll drive down to the Ring from Surrey on 10th and head back to Blighty on 12th April. Staying at the Lindner Casino hotel.
I'll drive down to the Ring from Surrey on 10th and head back to Blighty on 12th April. Staying at the Lindner Casino hotel.
I'll be in the McLaren 12C, but then you probably all know that already after my multiple posts..(sorry!) It's had its pre-track inspection so ready to rock n' roll. Will be my first Nurburgring trip in this car but my 10th year at the Green Hell so hoping to make it another hugely enjoyable and incident free trip. I'm staying at the Lindner Casino Hotel. Others staying there? Will be on my tod so come and say hello. I'm Ben by the way.
It's had its pre-track inspection so ready to rock n' roll. Will be my first Nurburgring trip in this car but my 10th year at the Green Hell so hoping to make it another hugely enjoyable and incident free trip. I'm staying at the Lindner Casino Hotel. Others staying there? Will be on my tod so come and say hello. I'm Ben by the way. Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff