Guys

Heading for the ring - will be my first time. I am not taking the Meg as there are 3 of us going so we are taking my mates Manaro VXR (gulp!!)

Anyone else planning to be there?

could those in the know give me some tips re best hotels and restaurants to use - cheers.

David

Take a look at Jon Seals posts re his many ring trips :)

I stay at www.ringhaus.com its 1 minute from the enterance to the 'Ring, the food there is 'ok' but I would HIGHLY recomend The Pistenklause Restaurant which is a 5 min walk.

Nez

Any driving tips for a virgin?

Any more tips re bars/restaurants?

cheers

David

Driving tips would be watch as many YT videos as poss to get an idea of what to expect. On the day go out for at least two passenger laps then take your car out with someone next to you that has been before. Take it easy until you find your feet, if you've done a frew trackdays before this will not take long.

We've been in a few good bar but for the life of me I've no idea what they were called. JUst take a walk round the village, its obvious by the cars outside where the good places are.. :D

This is a video from my last trip, nothing special but its a good quality video to watch..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVONgGEFZc

tips for a virgin?


Protection :yes:

Bluestar

http://www.hotel-an-der-nordschleife.de/

We stayed here excellent & easy for the bars etc.
Good track views from balcony also.

http://speedhunters.com/archive/2008/08/29/gallery-gt-gt-pistenklause-at-the-nurburgring.aspx

+1 for the above.

Try & get a cancellation in the BMW M5 ring taxi, best 65 euros i spent:bowdown:

Just get on and drive.
Watch mirrors for ****s on bikes with a death wish.
Its not difficult to drive so long as you dont rush flat out over blind hills - of which there are many.
We stayed in Spa, thats top notch and only about 80mins away :)

Hotel-an-der-nordschleife is the top hotel really just for the location. Watching the cars fly down the hill whilst your having brekky is quite something. Its a bit of a walk from Adenau and Nurburg but you can get a taxi.

Theres not exactly a nightlife thing going on in the area but the hotels all have busy bars. As Nez says the Steak on a stone is a must I would do another ring trip just to go there TBH!

I'd recommend getting to the track early for your first laps at least you have a good chance of some clear laps if you get there for 8.00. Watch your mirrors and dont crash. You'll have a blast. Cant wait to get back next year.

Its tips on the "don't crash" bit that I am after!!

D

Like nez said try to learn the track as much as you can before you go.
Although watching video's or playing PC games doesn't really prepare you fully for the up and down roller-coaster ride of the Nordschleife.
It's up to you how fast you drive, so take it easy, keep out of the way of fast cars and bikes and enjoy it.
Later once you built up a bit of confidence go faster on the stretches of track that your 100% about.

I spent 2 months before going the first time on the PS2! lol I knew it wouldn't be anywhere near realistic but it does give you an idea which way the track is going to go.

The only place that can catch you out if you not driving like a ******** is Adenauer Forest... if you watch my video its at 3min 10sec....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVONgGEFZc

This is a funny vid...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZb7sbRFCF0

Looks like I should avoid using a VW Beetle!

Naz - I will study your vid as the lines are reasonably clear to study.

Why is Adenauer so tricky? Is it change of camber with the sharp turn and too much entry speed to loose all at the same time that causes the problem?

D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlWQy-gljhs
here's a good video to study from one of the masters of the ring.
Will give you the perfect lines.

Looks like I should avoid using a VW Beetle!

Naz - I will study your vid as the lines are reasonably clear to study.

Why is Adenauer so tricky? Is it change of camber with the sharp turn and too much entry speed to loose all at the same time that causes the problem?

D

Its hard to see how sharp it is in the video's, the corner is blind and if you take the wrong line its like a hairpin and the coulpe of corners before it encourage you to go quick. The other problem is the cirb is very high, so when you know your not going to make it round you still try to avoid it making the car understeer even more. I've been over it once, you just need to make sure you lift of the brakes to unload the suspension before hitting the cirb.

You need to hard wire it into your brain where the corner is on the track. I used gran turismo!

i didn't use anything. I was a big shaky afterwards :D still scared looking back actually :D :D

just take it easy was the best advice Jon and Hair Bair gave me ;) and I did, still had the tyres squeeling round the corners etc though. It was fun!!! And I want to go back :) soon :)

The big day has arrived - off to get the ferry to Hook of Holland, one night in Amsterdam (!!!!!) and then Sat morn to the Ring for when it opens @ 1-30!

Off to You Tube to study more videos!

D