Nurburgring visit - need help!

[Pep]

I had my wits about me, he overtook me and missed my bumper by probably 2” but I was doing probably 100mph and he was moving faster. There was no need, other than that I’ve not had bad experiences. But it was enough of a scare for me not to want to lose a £35k car. It highlighted the risks! Last year was a significantly worse standard of driving and track etiquette than the year prior and I can’t see it getting much better as a consequence. The car parking, the queues to get on, the number of yellow flags.

Like I say, I’d happily send it on a track day there, TF for me anyway is done! I’d just recommend to anyone they go into it with their eyes wide open to the risks. You maybe courteous in your driving on the ring, but that’s not the case for so many people! It doesn’t matter how alert or cautious you are, it doesn’t counter the actions of others with small testes

Im not saying you’re in the wrong at all mate, I don’t know the circumstances so not lecturing you, just giving my opinions overall.
Glad it was a close call and nothing more for you.

If you go back adjust the days and do a weekday evening (not Friday!) and you’ll enjoy it like you’d never thought you could.

Id like to do a track day there too, probably next year. Standard of driving must be so much better as a result.

 

[Horatio McAllister]

Im not saying you’re in the wrong at all mate, I don’t know the circumstances so not lecturing you, just giving my opinions overall.
Glad it was a close call and nothing more for you.

If you go back adjust the days and do a weekday evening (not Friday!) and you’ll enjoy it like you’d never thought you could.

Id like to do a track day there too, probably next year. Standard of driving must be so much better as a result.

I’ve done both mate, my point still stands. Maybe because I’ve been there a few times (will be back again in a few months). For me the experience of the place is what it’s about. But its success has now blown up to a point it’s not enjoyable just doing a lap. Last year was a joke, some of the shenanigans going on through the town of Adenau are a perfect case in point. Banging the cars off the limiter with rubber dinghy pop n bangs maps! The place is boarding on being ruined by the morons who visit it! It’s such a shame as it’s such a wonderful part of the world, that I dearly love!

 

[Pep]

I’ve done both mate, my point still stands. Maybe because I’ve been there a few times (will be back again in a few months). For me the experience of the place is what it’s about. But its success has now blown up to a point it’s not enjoyable just doing a lap. Last year was a joke, some of the shenanigans going on through the town of Adenau are a perfect case in point. Banging the cars off the limiter with rubber dinghy pop n bangs maps! The place is boarding on being ruined by the morons who visit it! It’s such a shame as it’s such a wonderful part of the world, that I dearly love!

The police are cracking down on the road based twattery which is good, I’ve seen cars being seized which will hopefully help a bit. Horrible to see as it’s all UK cars being dickheads, no wonder we’re hated.

Frustrates and embarrasses me, but other people won’t ruin how much I enjoy it personally.

 

[Cub.]

Been there a few times, thanks.
But each to their own

Oh.

Sorry. If you’ve been a few times, I’m surprised you think bumbling around the track in a 175bhp, road focused 20 year old hatch, is the same as being driven around in a 500bhp+ race car.

But each to their own. Thanks.

 

[Cub.]

The police are cracking down on the road based twattery which is good, I’ve seen cars being seized which will hopefully help a bit. Horrible to see as it’s all UK cars being dickheads, no wonder we’re hated.

Frustrates and embarrasses me, but other people won’t ruin how much I enjoy it personally.

Sadly spot on.

Every dickhead we saw over there was UK plated.

Sat having dinner and a few beers outside. Then “pop bang pop bang” and some English plated VAG scum fly though the town centre way too fast. Embarrassing.

 

[Bye for now]

Oh.

Sorry. If you’ve been a few times, I’m surprised you think bumbling around the track in a 175bhp, road focused 20 year old hatch, is the same as being driven around in a 500bhp+ race car.

But each to their own. Thanks.

Rewind here, I was clearly comparing the cost of both. It’s probably a similar cost to buy a Clio, drive it, and sell it for the same price as 2 laps in a GT3. Was I comparing the out and out experience between lapping each? Nope.

But yeah cheers for your amazing insight.

 

[Flob]

You on your blob mate?

 

[Brigsy]

Ring taxi defo worth the money. I went out in the apex m3 a few years ago, forget the drivers name but he could really fcuking pedal and we overtook everything.

Also went out passenger with Marv in the old ringkangoo for a few laps back to back. Really committed and quick, that was a hell of an experience.

TF days are mad over there now. The financial risk is massive if it goes wrong, whether its your fault or somebody elses. Its all good until its not good, when i overcooked it and ended up in the barrier i got off very lightly. Ten year anniversary of that coming up soon.

 

[Cub.]

Rewind here, I was clearly comparing the cost of both. It’s probably a similar cost to buy a Clio, drive it, and sell it for the same price as 2 laps in a GT3. Was I comparing the out and out experience between each? Nope.

But yeah cheers for your amazing insight.

Hence my comment. You know the price of everything, but the value of nothing 🤷🏼‍♂️

To say “was I comparing the experience” is a bit weird. Because you basically were. You can’t just compare things on price / cost without comparing them at the same time with the experience or value they give as a result of that price.

You don't have to get uppity because I’m disagreeing with you.

 

[Bye for now]

Hence my comment. You know the price of everything, but the value of nothing 🤷🏼‍♂️

To say “was I comparing the experience” is a bit weird. Because you basically were. You can’t just compare things on price / cost without comparing them at the same time with the experience or value they give as a result of that price.

You don't have to get uppity because I’m disagreeing with you.

okay if you want to compare “experience”.

It wasn’t an out an out comparison between a 7 minute lap time in a 911 and a 10 minute lap time in a 182.

It was a comparison between 2x 7 minute laps in a 911, and hooning a French hot hatch around a race track for a weekend.

Personally had some of the best weekends of my life taking my Clio to the ring and back.
Would I change that for 15 mins in a 911? Not a chance.

 

[Cub.]

okay if you want to compare “experience”.

It wasn’t an out an out comparison between a 7 minute lap time in a 911 and a 10 minute lap time in a 182.

It was a comparison between 2x 7 minute laps in a 911, and hooning a French hot hatch around a race track for a weekend.

Personally had some of the best weekends of my life taking my Clio to the ring and back.
Would I change that for 15 mins in a 911? Not a chance.

That’s fair enough. Everyone is entitled to their view.

I disagree with it, but it doesn’t mean I’m right and you’re wrong.

 

[leeds2592]

You on your blob mate?

He’s still upset that he isn’t getting free car part storage anymore 👀

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

I've been a few times, but not done many laps as a driver. A friend of mine rented a Clio some years ago and we split the cost between 3/4 of us so we got a few laps each. I'm glad I did it but, once I ticked the box, I have never felt particularly inclined to drive again. Given the risks of TF, if I wanted to drive, I'd rather spend the money on track days in the UK in a way.

That said, I still really enjoy going there. The atmosphere is great, so even just walking around the parking is fun, as there are always good cars there, and obviously there are loads of iconic spots to watch from. You've also got the museum, a few nice restaurants, and obviously the scenery is nice too.

Would 100% recommend doing some kind of taxi lap. I know a few people that won't do it because they think it's too expensive but, honestly, it's the best part of going in my view. Sure, it's great driving a circuit yourself, but there's nothing like experiencing it with someone that really knows the place. As others have said, just split the cost with a few mates and go in a four-seater car and it's not too bad at all.

 

[McGherkin]

Yes, but you aren’t paying to be in a “GT3”. You’re paying to be driven around one of, if not the, worlds most challenging race circuits by a professional, in a GT3.

Unless you’ve been there and seen them in action, I don’t think you can really comment. They absolutely fly.

If you think you pottering around in a wheezy old French hatchback, comes anywhere close, you’re the kind of person who thinks 10 nights of shagging Katie Price is the same as one night with Margot Robbie.

Basically, knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing. X

I remember getting absolutely f**king roasted for saying exactly this 👀

Go do ring taxi laps at the Ring then pop over to Spa to do laps in your own car.

 

[Louis]

Yes, but you aren’t paying to be in a “GT3”. You’re paying to be driven around one of, if not the, worlds most challenging race circuits by a professional, in a GT3.

Unless you’ve been there and seen them in action, I don’t think you can really comment. They absolutely fly.

If you think you pottering around in a wheezy old French hatchback, comes anywhere close, you’re the kind of person who thinks 10 nights of shagging Katie Price is the same as one night with Margot Robbie.

Basically, knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing. X

Bet Katie Price is proper filthy though

 

[Doogalman]

The Hyundai and Genesis taxi laps are way cheaper than the Porsche/bmw offerings.
If you take an airport rental on track you are likely to get a hefty fine between 2&3k.
There are lower price track rental options out there that offer a basic package for you.
Go and enjoy.

 

[ixell]

I’ve booked to goto Frankfurt with a day at Nurburgring in March.

I’m flying to Frankfurt. I’m just struggling to make sense of it all.

Has anyone done this sort of trip? Ideally I’d love to do a ring taxi but the fees are eye watering, same with a couple laps in a rental.

Anyone with any knowledge to pass on? Can

Don’t go

 

[Advikaz]

Pascha

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

You can hire a track prepped car for around 400 quid for 4 laps

I hired a caged 325i a few years ago. Was good fun but even more added liability lol

 

[KitsonRis]

I’m going back over there this year (still need to get a date booked). I really enjoyed it when I’ve done TF. I echo Flob’s point about being the most stressful driving experience ever 🤣 I’ve always plodded around at a higher than road speed pace kind of thing but will never go flat out because of the risk. I’m confident of my (lack of) skill and what I’m willing to risk but it’s the other people that scare me - same with a Castle Combe Action Day. The scariest thing I’ve seen was went to turn into a corner and then a head appeared to pop up by my front wing - a biker decided to send it up the inside knee down last minute - my seats were nearly ruined with the amount of poo that came out. But hanging out in Adenau is great fun.

But the insurance thing it’s always known that you aren’t insured. I’ve had some car policies that explicitly state it’s not covered. But my current policy doesn’t - only track and race days are not covered. They openly state on the signs it’s not a race track on a TF day. And the last time I went I asked in a cryptic way “are there any places in Germany I am not covered” and their response was no 🤷🏻‍♂️ would I risk it - no as insurance companies are thieves. The only time I’ve seen this work is my step dad’s friend had a crash over there and no one believed him he was covered and he was! Fully insured and didn’t have to pay anything, they saw the bill and it was eye watering - can’t remember if they charged loss of earnings for the track being closed. Down to the half bag of sand used for spillages.

 

[Crybert]

Don’t go

Ok. From this reply I have cancelled my flights. Thanks

 

[Jonnio]

The safest result. Enjoy.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

I don't think you can be a petrol head in the UK/Europe and not try to go at least once, even if you don't drive it. A lot of the guys I know try and go and quieter times in order to drive it but, to be honest, I'd rather go on the mad busy weekends like Easter and just soak up the atmosphere to be honest.

 

[daveski]

I'm intending to go at Easter this year. Yeah it'll be busy but it'll still be fun.

 

[JimF]

If anyone has insurance with Reis, they cancel your policy if they see your vehicle on the ring, whether you make a claim or not. They monitor social media pics apparently.
Great company otherwise.
My fear with a ring lap is starting off fine, then getting totally overwhelmed and stressed out within a few minutes, and knowing I've another 7.5 miles to drive with GT3s zipping past and feeling like I'm in the way. That old self conscious meltdown that's all too familiar.

 

[-Jamie-]

If anyone has insurance with Reis, they cancel your policy if they see your vehicle on the ring, whether you make a claim or not. They monitor social media pics apparently.
Great company otherwise.
My fear with a ring lap is starting off fine, then getting totally overwhelmed and stressed out within a few minutes, and knowing I've another 7.5 miles to drive with GT3s zipping past and feeling like I'm in the way. That old self conscious meltdown that's all too familiar.

Unless you are a total mongo it'll be fine.

Treat it like a B road you don't know, keep an eye on your mirrors and you'll have zero issues.

 

[Flat Eric]

Unless you are a total mongo it'll be fine.

Treat it like a B road you don't know, keep an eye on your mirrors and you'll have zero issues.

I used that mentality when I went and was sound.
I'll never forget a ford focus estate (mk1) coming past me in the 182, on the little uphill part after Nordschleife Hotel. Deffo a local who had just finished work having a hoon 🤣

Eating up 182s for fun he was 🤣

 

[Bye for now]

Unless you are a total mongo it'll be fine.

Treat it like a B road you don't know, keep an eye on your mirrors and you'll have zero issues.

Ya just echoing this and @Pep

It’s really not that bad if you know you and your car’s limits and stick to that.

If you are a mong, then yes you’ll probably crash, cause a million £ multi-car pile up , bankrupt yourself, lose your house, lose your family and then probably kill yourself.

 

[-Jamie-]

I used that mentality when I went and was sound.
I'll never forget a ford focus estate (mk1) coming past me in the 182, on the little uphill part after Nordschleife Hotel. Deffo a local who had just finished work having a hoon 🤣

Eating up 182s for fun he was 🤣

Yeah, first few trips I always treated it that way and always expect the unexpected


Unfortunately once I got there in something with some proper pace my common sense tended to f**k off at times 😂

Still, no real incidents in what must be ~700 laps now but I was always fairly sensible when it came to doing TF and avoiding the busier days. Quiet midweek evening laps are the way to go, Managed 10 laps one night and it was almost like a private rental but some of my favourite laps have been with mates/traffic vs flat out fast laps.

Taxi/Rental is definitely a smart idea for a Newbie.

 

[Brigsy]

No prizes for winning TF laps, moderate pace and keep an eye on mirrors.

Last couple of trips ive really enjoyed the autobahn driving. The trip in your own car is worth it for that alone.

 

[Horatio McAllister]

Kind of missing my point here. I’d happily lap the place all day. But you can’t account, no matter how much you drive aware or defensively, for a moron! Unfortunately TF laps attracts them like a fly around s**t. Last year was a mess, a real mess! Both behaviour on the track and around it! I’d love to do a track day there, but the risk of TF now is too much for me. I will say, I’m so glad I’ve done them. I enjoyed them, but when we go back this year. I’ll be exclusively doing sessions on the GP track at quite times. That doesn’t mean folk shouldn’t do it, I’d crack on if you are happy to take on the risks. Just at 44 years of age, I’m simply not

 

[Cub.]

Kind of missing my point here. I’d happily lap the place all day. But you can’t account, no matter how much you drive aware or defensively, for a moron! Unfortunately TF laps attracts them like a fly around s**t. Last year was a mess, a real mess! Both behaviour on the track and around it! I’d love to do a track day there, but the risk of TF now is too much for me. I will say, I’m so glad I’ve done them. I enjoyed them, but when we go back this year. I’ll be exclusively doing sessions on the GP track at quite times. That doesn’t mean folk shouldn’t do it, I’d crack on if you are happy to take on the risks. Just at 44 years of age, I’m simply not

“Everybody has plans until they get hit first time”. Mike Tyson.

It’s a bit like that on the ‘ring.

“Just drive aware, like it’s a B road. Watch your mirrors”……

You mean like everyone who has had a crash at the ring to date? Including the recent infamous M2 vs GT3 RS crash.

The reality, is you can get such a broad range of people on track now, from people who’ve never been on track in their campervan through to 200kmh+ super cars driven by professionals.

That “gap” is why it is now so unpredictable and so frankly dangerous. So yeah. It’s all well and good saying “pay attention”, but it’s not you not paying attention you have to worry about!

 

[Crybert]

That m2 crash was insane although the speeds both cars were doing was fairly extreme so it amplified the crash

 

[Cub.]

That m2 crash was insane although the speeds both cars were doing was fairly extreme so it amplified the crash

Yeah, but there will be GT3’s going past you at that speed.

 

[Crybert]

Horny

 

[McGherkin]

“Everybody has plans until they get hit first time”. Mike Tyson.

It’s a bit like that on the ‘ring.

“Just drive aware, like it’s a B road. Watch your mirrors”……

You mean like everyone who has had a crash at the ring to date? Including the recent infamous M2 vs GT3 RS crash.

The reality, is you can get such a broad range of people on track now, from people who’ve never been on track in their campervan through to 200kmh+ super cars driven by professionals.

That “gap” is why it is now so unpredictable and so frankly dangerous. So yeah. It’s all well and good saying “pay attention”, but it’s not you not paying attention you have to worry about!

‘Just drive like you’re on a B-road’



Statistically at least one of the people in that accident was driving carefully.

 

[-Jamie-]

“Everybody has plans until they get hit first time”. Mike Tyson.

It’s a bit like that on the ‘ring.

“Just drive aware, like it’s a B road. Watch your mirrors”……

You mean like everyone who has had a crash at the ring to date? Including the recent infamous M2 vs GT3 RS crash.

The reality, is you can get such a broad range of people on track now, from people who’ve never been on track in their campervan through to 200kmh+ super cars driven by professionals.

That “gap” is why it is now so unpredictable and so frankly dangerous. So yeah. It’s all well and good saying “pay attention”, but it’s not you not paying attention you have to worry about!

Should probably of prefaced that by saying don't go and send it on a busy weekend.

For all the accidents there are folk need to remember the tens of thousands of cars that lap there monthly with zero accidents.


Just don't be a spaz.

Folk go on about TDs being safer but IME some if the driving standards are even worse then because folk think it's not TF and they are invincible.

Still get a big bill from a TD shunt at the end of the day 😂

 

[RSRowe]

Still get a big bill from a TD shunt at the end of the day 😂

But not quite a potential life ruining bill. That’s why I stick to trackdays.

 

[Pep]

Yeah, but there will be GT3’s going past you at that speed.

Not for all of us, I’m a pro and have never seen a set of tail lights.

 

[-Jamie-]

But not quite a potential life ruining bill. That’s why I stick to trackdays.

Yeah fair, I try to do the same although the allure of some "risky" TF laps is always too strong 😂