Nürburgring in 2022

[doogalman]

So now that the turkey has almost gone and the days are now getting longer….
Who’s got plans already in place for the coming years trips to the Ring?

TF and trackday dates have also been announced.

I know a few people who have ducked out for the last two summers but here’s hoping 2022 is a lot better and more predictable for those contemplating the trip.

[doogalman]

Elatino1 said:

Germany aren't taking any visitors currently.

I will be sitting this year out like last year but I did manage 2020.

At the moment it’s not quite so simple but it should ease, and if it gets to being like last year it was a simple enough task to navigate the rules.
I’m heading back out there in February so needs to be better. Not to mention for the guys also heading over to Spa for trackday in March.

[doogalman]

nickfrog said:

After a 4 year break, I will be back, restrictions allowing. Not sure if I'll take the M2 or the Clio though.

4 years is a lifetime for many!!

[doogalman]

nickfrog said:

You're not kidding - I miss it badly, particularly after having been about 10 times in the 5 years prior! Life got in the way, nut not anymore.

I wonder if access to Germany may be easier with a French passport too, rather than UK.

At the moment I believe there’s restrictions that way too. I have German residency and at the moment I’d have to Q for 2 weeks. But that should change, at least it better.

[doogalman]

PGNSagaris said:

Booked on the 9th May DN trip and cannot wait.

I’m hopeful by that stage people will have stopped wetting the bed about catching a cold and we can all have a great time driving in Europe.

Only ever done a TF day previously and it was, frankly, nuts. Looking forward to a track day environment this time.

The DN days are really good you should really have a great time. I am often marshaling or instructing on the DN days you will find it a good friendly atmosphere. Always some very quick guys on it so keep a good check on your mirrors.

[doogalman]

ecsrobin said:

Not really TF/TD but plan is to head over for N24 this year so any tips on visiting during the event I’d be grateful. Will then look to visit a few places in the week after the race then return for some TF.

If the 24h is a normal affair with spectators then get accommodation sorted early, but be aware if situations change many don’t easily give refunds.

[doogalman]

Elatino1 said:

How are you guys booking Germany? My understanding is that they are totally closed due to Covid currently?

Some restrictions are being lifted. Germany no longer classes the uk as a variant country. Sure things will loosen up more. Main issue at the moment is France is closed but then it’s a few months before any of the tracks open.

[doogalman]

Steve H said:

I’m hoping to get over on some of the Circuit Days stuff this year, I work on all their UK events and keep saying I’ll do it but there always seems to be a reason not to make it .

I’m racing at Spa in July so a bit of re-familiarisation wouldn’t hurt, I’m well overdue some driving at the Ring …

Hi Steve, I’m sure we’ve met before but if not I’ll see you on a CD event out at Spa or the Ring.
I’m Roy who helps Chris out with the instruction at Spa & Ring.

[doogalman]

ecain63 said:

DN in May for me. Got an afternoon at Spa the day before too.

I know a lot of people have become fearful of the covid cancellation thing, but I managed to get to the Ring twice this year and twice in 2020. Did Spa too. The restrictions change all the time so it's just a case of keeping on your toes and making decisions when you can.

Will try and navigate my work commitments to come say hi.
Roy (Nurburgring Life)

[doogalman]

Steve H said:

Hi Roy

Yep I think you’re right and Chris and Rob have spoken of you but I’m not going to believe any of it .

Hopefully catch you over there .

Whatever it is if they say so then who am I to argue!
But then……. Maybe not?

[doogalman]

Rob_R said:

Already booked the Circuit Days event on July 1st. Booked another trip to watch the DTM at the end of August as well with some TF thrown in.

The dtm weekend last year, tf was really quite good and not overcrowded. The prospect of big crowds due to dtm kept many away from driving tf. So in reality some good fairly quiet tracktime was had.

[doogalman]

nickfrog said:

True, no one covers third party on TF and there should be no liability on a track day, apart from barrier, which can be covered.

Many of the non-uk run trackdays stipulate in their small print that you are liable for any 3rd party damage you cause so beware on some days if you have rushed to sign the paperwork without reading it. As you can be held liable if that gt2 crashes due to your vehicle or yourself instigating the gt2’s loss.

[doogalman]

IsaacM140 said:

I've just booked my trip at the end of June,
Also my first time there so really excited.

Just take it easy and familiarize yourself with the track and keep a good regular check on your mirrors. In tourist driving sessions as well as trackdays if conditions and traffic permit, the pace that the really quick guys can get around can drop into sub 7 territory. So do not think about chasing lap times but enjoy it as a very special place that in this day and age would be outlawed anywhere else.
Make sure you understand the rules of the track and please respect the rules of the road also.
It’s a petrol heads nirvana, enjoy and go home happy.

[doogalman]

Rowe said:

Enjoy the sighting laps (it's great looking at the scenery at a slow pace)
Make sure you keep yourself fed and watered.

I got pulled by the Plod on my way to go and get fuel for ED, as i'd forgotten that i'd taken my number plates off. 80 euros in their back pocket made that issue go away though.

The sighting laps are as you say a great opportunity to look at the track and conditions prior to going green.
I often lead the sighting laps and even after almost 25 years of going around the track it’s still a worthwhile excercise.

Edited by doogalman on Thursday 20th January 15:20

[doogalman]

Digga said:

I remember coming out onto track for first sighting laps on my last trip. I had a queue of 6 people who were having passenger laps and I took my wife out first, because I know she's really, really not impressed by my driving. I thought sighting would be an opportunity for a nice sedate lap.

I was not really paying attention to the ordinary looking saloon car ahead, rather just maintaining distance. I began to realise we were lapping pretty fast. Nothing ahead was slowing him. Then it clicked what I was following was not so ordinary; Alfa Giulia Cloverleaf - V6 twin turbo, 510 hp.

Best, most unhindered sighting lap ever. (Chap is somewhere on PH still.)

Not me as I’ve never done sighting laps with a passenger that has had to hang out the window. Most times I am driving the lead car solo.

I am Roy, I am the one in charge of instruction.

[doogalman]

FTW said:

I'd never considered calculating a cost per lap on a trackday booking, to me the value is knowing its a closed event rather an open to the public and all manner of potential third party dangers.

Some people keep a note of the lap cost in comparison to tf. Mostly it is people who have done plenty of tf and decided to do a trackday.
I’ve known people to do 35+ laps on a trackday. Obviously there are trackdays where there have been many closures be it a budget trackday or a high end day premium day. In these circumstances if the track closes then make sure you are ready to go when the track reopens. So often I talk to people that have only managed a handful of laps whereas the guys clued in have still got into the mid twenties just by maximizing the track when open.

[doogalman]

Rowe said:

Pretty certain it’s always been the first hour is sighting laps with CD’s.

Yes the first hour. Normally 8 till 9.

[doogalman]

RSbandit said:

Booked in for July 1st Circuit Days too and also some Spa action with RSR two days beforehand!
Seems that sighting laps for CD are only 30 mins as opposed to 60 on a Destination Nurburgring day, any reason for that? Personally prefer the longer slot just to get more familiar with the surroundings.
One of my favorite Ring memories was a few yrs back doing an early sighting lap, beautiful August day clear blue skies and the rays of Sunshine were just starting to creep over the hills and across the top of the forest, driving at a slow pace really allowed me to take in this majestic scene and it's something that's stuck with me since.

Last year I did 40 laps over two trackdays and that worked out at about £30 per lap which isn't much more than you'd pay for a TF lap I believe?

Normally cd aim for an hour. But that can change dependent if the track opens late. When leading the laps we normally work on a 15 minute pace so we start at 8, come off the track at 9 having lead four sighting laps, then jump straight into our instruction schedule for the day.

[doogalman]

RSbandit said:

OK good to know I thought it said 30 minutes on their website but might have been an error...1 hr works better anyway and 4 laps is what I usually try for..will be my first time at a CD event.

You’ll find it busier at times than a DN day but there’s a good friendly atmosphere about it as it mostly regular brits that make up the majority.
But as ever sometimes you can be on a fairly busy track but not see many other cars if they are all at a reasonable pace.
As with dn sighting laps, be there ready for the off when the track opens.
Come say hi.

[doogalman]

RSbandit said:

How was the circuit days double? Conditions looked perfect wished I was there!

Two fantastic days. Day one was the quietest of the two. For most of the day you would have sworn that you were on a high end trackday as the track was so quiet. Most people seemed content just being here rather than driving.