Will 11 yr old car fan enjoy 3 days at Nurburgring?
Discussion
I've arranged to go with a couple of mates, one who's a regular and 2 of us are 1st timers. They are both taking their lads with them and my son is also booked on to come.
When we're there he will be 3-4 weeks off his 12th birthday so I can't book us a ring taxi lap which was my plan.
I'm in 2 minds about using my own car or hiring something there, although leaning towards the latter currently. But am also nervous about taking him out on a track that I've never driven. Whilst I can take my time and build up to speed that we're both comfortable with I have no control over the other drivers around me, so wondering if this is a daft idea full stop.
So any of you that have been before and taken your car loving kids, have they enjoyed it?
When we're there he will be 3-4 weeks off his 12th birthday so I can't book us a ring taxi lap which was my plan.
I'm in 2 minds about using my own car or hiring something there, although leaning towards the latter currently. But am also nervous about taking him out on a track that I've never driven. Whilst I can take my time and build up to speed that we're both comfortable with I have no control over the other drivers around me, so wondering if this is a daft idea full stop.
So any of you that have been before and taken your car loving kids, have they enjoyed it?
Excellent, a far more positive response than I expected! I was anticipating most people asking if I was mad 
It sounds like there's enough to keep him interested if we can do a few laps over the 3 days, some spectating, museum etc. Like somebody mentioned the thought of just wandering around a car park for 3 days sounds bloody boring to me, let alone an 11 year old. Once you've seen one Porsche... However he does love cars so I'm sure will enjoy the car spotting in the paddock as well as everything that overtakes us
We're going with friends of his and mine so it's not like he's stuck on his own with 3 old farts anyway. Was just worried that as the ring taxi isn't possible and if everybody ridiculed the idea of taking him on track with me, it might be a long 3 days!
It sounds like there's enough to keep him interested if we can do a few laps over the 3 days, some spectating, museum etc. Like somebody mentioned the thought of just wandering around a car park for 3 days sounds bloody boring to me, let alone an 11 year old. Once you've seen one Porsche... However he does love cars so I'm sure will enjoy the car spotting in the paddock as well as everything that overtakes us
We're going with friends of his and mine so it's not like he's stuck on his own with 3 old farts anyway. Was just worried that as the ring taxi isn't possible and if everybody ridiculed the idea of taking him on track with me, it might be a long 3 days!
So if he gets bored then Centre Parcs for a day of swimming and stuff is an option, useful info thanks.
To be fair I've been chatting to him tonight and he's very excited even if the ring taxi isn't an option, mind you I've found in one companies t&c's that it stipulates 12 yrs old OR 1.4m and he's tall enough so it may still be an option. I've dropped them an email to find out.
I think hiring a prepped Swift or a Clio is a better option than taking my own car, and I'm aware of the potential costs should I crash and lack of cover if I take someone else out in the process. However you only live once, and with my son with me I'll take it much easier so the likelihood of me overdoing it is vastly reduced.
My mate will take us out for initial laps to get us used to it, and I feel like I've watched enough videos and many many hours on the PS that I've got a reasonable idea of layout. Not the same I know, but at least it's not like driving a road I've never.seen before.
Anyway decision made, he's definitely coming with me just need to sort out what I drive when we get there
To be fair I've been chatting to him tonight and he's very excited even if the ring taxi isn't an option, mind you I've found in one companies t&c's that it stipulates 12 yrs old OR 1.4m and he's tall enough so it may still be an option. I've dropped them an email to find out.
I think hiring a prepped Swift or a Clio is a better option than taking my own car, and I'm aware of the potential costs should I crash and lack of cover if I take someone else out in the process. However you only live once, and with my son with me I'll take it much easier so the likelihood of me overdoing it is vastly reduced.
My mate will take us out for initial laps to get us used to it, and I feel like I've watched enough videos and many many hours on the PS that I've got a reasonable idea of layout. Not the same I know, but at least it's not like driving a road I've never.seen before.
Anyway decision made, he's definitely coming with me just need to sort out what I drive when we get there
egor110 said:
Playstation laps won't tell you where the bumps are though or the corners with camber
Yes I know what you mean, but at least I'll know if I'm going left or right to be fair I'm not going to chase lap times, it's a box I've wanted to tick for a long time.egor110 said:
You should show your son the Misha Charoudin videos on youtube then secretly book him for a laps tuition , i'd imagine that would be cool for your son.
Never heard of him, but I'll look into it as my son (like most his age) loves YT so probably will have. Recommendation re early morning/late evening makes sense, cheers for that 
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
So going slightly off topic now, what are peoples recommendations re taking own car or hiring whilst there. Also recommended number of laps per day for a 1st timer.
Think we'll probably be on track on Sat & Sun mainly, possibly late Fri afternoon depending on arrival time.
Looking at costs incl. ferry, tunnel, petrol, lap tickets vs car hire, half the travel costs and lap tickets there isn't a massive difference tbh, maybe £100 extra for hire if doing 10 laps. This doesn't take into account insurance for own car as not had chance to look into that yet, but it looks like €200 is the norm for most of the hire companies for their entry level cars.
murphyaj said:
Obviously there is no right answer about cars, but an important factor you haven't mentioned is what your own car is?
I currently own a Boxster S but was planning to sell it in March/April, and most likely next car is an E63 but I may change my mind before then. Whilst taking my own car on would be great, I'm not sure a +500bhp car that I've only owned a few weeks is the sensible choice!
I'm currently looking at the Swift from Rent4Ring or Clio RS from Ringfreaks, both around €600 for 10 laps. Both are track prepped, so whilst not the fastest in a straight line should be great fun through the corners. My son liked the look of the cages and bucket seats, so I think that will actually be more of an event than driving my own even though he wasn't impressed with the actual cars
Just realised while looking at my sums again that I hadn't included lap tickets in the hire a car comparison, so actually it's about £260 more to hire a car rather than take my own. Plus the insurance of about €200 but that does give me 3rd party cover as well as limiting damage excess on hire car.
Thought I'd come back to update after our trip which my son really enjoyed.
People were right in that the boys got a bit bored watching at the different spectator spots so we kept that to a minimum or didn't stay in one place too long. But we also took them karting, toboganning and on the simulators, so over the two and a bit days they got to do some fun stuff as well.
He obviously loved lapping the track with me and one of my mates who goes all the time, and delighted in telling me how slow I was in comparison Plus a taxi lap in the Jag XJR, and really enjoyed being around the car park looking at all the fantastic motors, his highlights being a GT2RS and an 812 Superfast. Although my highlight was what I assume was a Weissman owners club all turning up to do a lap.
So I'm glad I took him, and it goes without saying that I had a ball
People were right in that the boys got a bit bored watching at the different spectator spots so we kept that to a minimum or didn't stay in one place too long. But we also took them karting, toboganning and on the simulators, so over the two and a bit days they got to do some fun stuff as well.
He obviously loved lapping the track with me and one of my mates who goes all the time, and delighted in telling me how slow I was in comparison
Plus a taxi lap in the Jag XJR, and really enjoyed being around the car park looking at all the fantastic motors, his highlights being a GT2RS and an 812 Superfast. Although my highlight was what I assume was a Weissman owners club all turning up to do a lap. So I'm glad I took him, and it goes without saying that I had a ball
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