Nurburgring 2018

[baronbennyt]

So, a few private track day dates have already been published for the Nurburgring in 2018:

- Tuesday 24th April - Circuit Days
- Friday 25th May - #DN19
- Monday & Tuesday 27th & 28th August - Ringmeisters Prime
- Thursday & Friday 27th & 28th September - #DN20
- Friday 26th October - Circuit Days

Decisions, decisions...!

I'm going to try and take the Lotus 3-Eleven to the 'Ring this time, but only if the weather gods are smiling.

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

I'm considering trying the "Ring " for the first time in 2018 but have only been doing track days in the UK in my Cayman GTS since I got it last year .
My new GT3 is due for delivery in Jan. but I am loathe ( scared ) to use it for my first visit to the Ring .
Should I use a Ring taxi , with instructor , for my first experience and if so any hints/tips . Also are the dates shown the best time for a newbie to give it a go ?
Any help and guidance much appreciated .

Rob .

Hi Rob,

I’ve been going to the ‘Ring for 10 years and I’m still learning!

My advice would be to rent something like a Suzuki Swift track car and do as many laps as you can to get to know the circuit.

The Swift is actually a lot of fun plus you won’t be going so fast that you’ll forget whether you’re coming or going.

Once you’re familiar with the Nordschleife (usually takes around 50 laps) you can take something more hairy round if you like.

At this circuit (more than most), however, it’s the driver’s skill and/or his/her experience that makes a quick lap rather than the car.

If you’re there when I am I’d be happy to take you round at a gentle pace to show you the lines.

Once you’ve been to the Green Hell you’ll find it very difficult to stop going, trust me!

Cheers,

Ben

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben ,
Thanks for the quick response . Can I ask why you have highlighted these particular dates . Are these the best days to get quality track time at the Nurburgring?
It would be great if we could meet up and I would certainly appreciate a " sedate " trip around in the Lotus . I say sedate because at full race pace I would be concentrating too hard on keeping my lunch down rather than the best lines .
I plan to hire a " taxi " with an instructor for a few(?) laps . Any views on the best operators .

Cheers , Rob .

Hi Rob,

Having lapped the Ring during my early years on the cheaper "tourist days" I would strongly advice against them, since: (1) they are now horribly overcrowded, (2) result in frequent stoppages, crashes and sometimes injuries, and (3) the opening hours are usually terribly inconvenient. They have basically become wacky racers or a demolition derby! I'm only partially joking.

Therefore, for the last 5 years or so I have only booked myself on UK private club days at the Ring with 'Destination Nurburgring' (http://www.destination-nurburgring.com/) and, separately, 'Circuit Days' (https://circuit-days.co.uk/). Although far from cheap, you get what you pay for: (1) exclusive use of the track for one or two days, (2) professional instruction and "taxi" rides are available, (3) almost everyone is a Brit and fairly sensible since they've paid up-front and also bring their pride and joys too. However, since most drivers on these days are quite experienced I'd just put a novice sticker on your rear bumper. This way everyone should respect you and give you plenty of room.

I'm likely to do the 'Destination Nurburgring' dates in August.

Cheers,

Ben

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Many thanks for the hints and tips from all you Nurburgring vets . This is when forums
like this are so helpful . Especially when people are sharing knowledge rather than rants !

So it looks like I'm going to hire a RHD car and get instruction for as many laps as I can stay alert and focussed . My current car is a PDK Cayman GTS so I would prefer an automatic - ideally mid engined or should the engine location not make much of a difference ?

I thought it best to do two days of afternoons only allowing me plenty of time for
R and R in between circuit time . And just as importantly some quality time with my long suffering / non driving wife who I've bribed with promises of sedate and non - aggressive autobahn travel , great food and fine wines .

Can one book , say , two concurrent pm slots with DN and is this a cost effective way of introducing myself to the " Ring " ?

It would be great to meet up if we can during my trip .

Rob .

Hi Rob,

If I were you I’d book on the Destination Nurburgring x2 day event in August and rent a track car and instruction from Rent 4 Ring (www.rent4ring.de). This won’t be cheap but it would be the best introduction to the Green Hell, if you can afford it.

I’d be less concerned about the engine layout and ‘box of the rental track car and more preoccupied about something that will give you greatest safe exposure to the circuit at manageable cost - hence why many of us would recommend the Suzuki.

However, if you really want a rear drive automatic then Rent 4 Ring also offer a BMW 125i track car with paddle shift. This thing is pretty rapid and will be a lot of fun! Anything above this and you start entering the realms of serious cost, which wouldn’t be cost effective on your first visit.

When you’re not going round in the BMW with your instructor, you can get plenty of passenger rides with us.

Before you go, watch plenty of in-car YouTube footage of laps around the Ring. This will help you start memorising where the track goes!

Cheers

Ben

[baronbennyt]

Hi Rob

If you really want to push the boat out then I see RSR Nurburg offer for rental a Cayman GTS, which might be what you’re really after. But it’s going to be pricey! (www.rsrnurburg.com)

But if it were me I’d go for something more affordable like a Swift, Megane, Golf or BMW 1 Series (if you really want RWD).

It’s a long way to go so I’d definitely recommend a x2 day session since there can be track closures with accidents, it can downpour (even in mid summer) and you’ll need plenty of breaks!

Ben

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Right , we're getting there . The chancellor is happy/ prepared to go with me ( phew ! ) on the DN August dates and I'll arrange to hire an appropriate car .
Only one main thing left to sort out . Accommodation . Is it best to book somewhere close to the track and if so is there somewhere handy that ranks between Bates Motel and Michelin . I haven't bothered asking Trip Advisor because they've got me into bother before .

Rob .

As normal, I'll be staying at the Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel Nürburgring - a large fairly soulless hotel but it has a decent enough bar and restaurant, clean rooms, decent shower, secure parking and it's a stone's throw from the circuit.

https://www.lindner.de/en/nuerburgring-congress-mo...

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben ,

Thank you . All sorted . I guess there's no need to book it too soon ? Now all I have to do wait for 9 months . Still I've got the summer to look forward to getting used to my new GT3 . I tend to do PCGB track days but would be interested in other " grown up " events . I noticed your photo of the Lotus was at Goodwood . What sort of stuff do you do ?

Rob .

Hi Rob

I’m a member of PCGB too (I have a Cayman GT4 in the stable) and Goodwood is my local circuit since I’m based in Surrey. I tend to drive at this circuit either with PCGB or Goodwood’s own.

I’m also a regular at Castle Combe and Bedford, the former usually with Bell & Colvil or Lotus On Track and the latter with EVO Magazine.

I try and do the Ring and/or Spa at least once a year, mostly the Nordschleife since it’s my favourite circuit and it’s a good excuse to catch up with fellow petrolhead friends for two days!

Ben

[baronbennyt]

I’ve been fortunate enough to have driven some pretty quick road cars around the Ring over the last 10 years or so: Porsche 997 GT2, GT3 RS, GT4, McLaren MP4-12C, Audi R8 V10, and BMW 1M (tuned) to name but a few. But the one which gave me the most confidence and pleasure? Porsche Cayman R without a doubt. The most scary? The GT2, well that was until the McLaren decided to dump coolant onto its rear tyres just as I was approaching the end of the start/finish straight at high speed...

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Excuse my ignorance Ben but was the Cayman R the only mid engined of the set ? I only ask because my Cayman GTS gave me confidence from the first time I tracked it .

I've sold it now and will be replacing it with the GT3 soon .No doubt it will present me with a fresh set of questions / challenges !

Rob .

Hi Rob, as well as the Cayman R, the following are mid-engined: Audi R8 V10, McLaren MP4-12C, and Cayman GT4, so I've actually driven more mid-engined cars around the Ring than another other configuration! Ben

[baronbennyt]

I've just booked #RINGMEISTERS #DNEvents for 27 & 28 August 2018 as a Christmas present to myself!

Lindner Casino hotel booked out though on those dates strangely...

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben , I've tried to book to these dates on line but keep getting a message saying the're not open for booking yet ? Help !

Hi Rob, try ringing the Lindner Hotel. If you don’t get any luck there then try Hotel Zur Burg, that’s where I’m staying. Even closer to the circuit but pretty basic. Still, it’s clean and has en suite, a restaurant and a bar, which is all you need! Ben

http://www.nuerburgring-hotel.de/index.php/en/

[baronbennyt]

ringweekends said:

There's the EDM New Horizons dance music festival on over the weekend prior, so the place will be crawling with artists and fluffers I'd imagine.

How random! Still, we shouldn’t be too bothered by that crew around the circuit’s bars and restaurants I suppose.

[baronbennyt]

For me this short video of a Caterham at the Ring driving at a decent, but not insane, pace gives anyone new to the Green Hell a wonderful guide to a lap of the circuit.
The footage is super clear and the camera angle up on the roll bar provides a perfect wide angle view. Worth watching!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyeIlCpVyDc

[baronbennyt]

This video might be less off-putting!

https://youtu.be/dBGeuleROb8

[baronbennyt]

Pdelamare said:

Much better. Makes me want to get my Levante over there, such a faff with transport though.

Levante? Sweet! Would love to see a pic of that bad boy. Must be a bit of a monster around the Ring

[baronbennyt]

Incredible

[baronbennyt]

Anyone else staying at or near Hotel zur Burg for the DN August double-header?

[baronbennyt]

Jamonit said:

Hi Ben ,

I'm staying on nights of 26th and 27th August so let's meet for a beer before ( the first ) big
day .

Cheers , Rob Gill .

Hi Rob.

Excellent, that would be great

I will come down in either the Lotus or Jaguar (depending on the weather), so I shouldn't be too inconspicuous!

Looking forward to it already.

Cheers,

Ben

[baronbennyt]

Hi Rob.

Not many impressions on the Jag just yet since it only arrived yesterday and I’ve got a broken ankle!

However, what I can tell you is that it feels a bit of a monster. Very large, with a mega engine and a knock-out sound system! The perfect antidote to the Lotus then, which was what I was after: chalk and cheese.

Normally I’d take the Jag, but I’d like to experience the Lotus at least once at the Green Hell so if the weather looks to be knock-out in August I’ll take the lightweight. If not, I’ll cruise down in the comfort of the XK.

I might do DN in September too so that will provide me with the option to enjoy both cars at my favourite circuit

[baronbennyt]

Just booked the big Jag on the DN double header in August. Should be fun...