Planning a trip to the ring this summer....

[carsarecool]

.....can someone please give me an idiots guide. Where to stay, how much a lap is, am I stupid taking my own car around it?

Cheers

[RossDagley]

Here's a post I made back in February with some advice for someone else. I can add to this if you need

I go several times a year and have done for some time.

Last years best was 08:30 BTG in the (b7) RS4, but I'm more proud of a 09:23 in the wet. (I love driving the ring in the rain as it's so much quieter and you learn so much more).

If it's your first trip, make a conscious effort to not time yourself regardless of the temptation. The track was designed and built to catch you out - what looks like an opening slow corner rapidly turns into a near death experience Timing yourself makes you try harder - even if you 'think' you're not trying

You'll be tired after a couple of laps - do two and come off to give yourself (and the car) a break, have some food, walk around, then maybe go back on for another couple in the afternoon. Don't try to cram in 10 laps in a day as (especially on the easter weekend!) it'll be too busy and you'll just get frustrated. Take it real steady and you'll have the itch so bad you'll be back again a few months later

ADAC cover is advisable if you go a lot. You can refuse the €250 ring recovery lorry and elect for ADAC recovery (I have it but have never used it). They can also repatriate to the UK and provide European Breakdown cover too.

Enjoy it!

In addition to that, where you stay can be decided by what comfort you want and who you're going with. Martins (http://www.burgstube.com) is a good shout if you're after cheap and cheerful (and his 'ring brief sessions are excellent) but if you're after a bit more comfort I can recommend Foxhole for more comfort (http://michaelanring.wix.com/fuchsroehre)

Games do help somewhat (if you do hundreds of virtual laps) - ignore people who say they don't. They absolutely cannot tell you where grip is or isn't, or give any sense of the undulations (at points you'll think you're driving up or down a 30% hill!) but to learn how the track flows it's a valuable tool to some extent. Just don't be surprised when it doesn't look much like the game when you get there :p

Stay on the right, overtake on the left only (overtaking on the right is illegal and if someone reports your number plate that'll be the last lap you do that day), indicate when you see something coming up behind you (which happens a LOT until you're in the <10 min lap area) and be clear with your track positioning and you'll be fine in your own car if you drive at 7/10ths.
Bikes are a pain in the arse - never check their mirrors, always get in the way and cut in on silly lines they shouldn't think of taking. Avoid like the plague!

If you

[carsarecool]

Thanks

[HYFR]

I'm doing a day trip next Sunday

[max_b]

I'm doing a day trip next Sunday

Space for a little 'un??

[boombastik]

I was over at the ring in april this year

I stayed at the Congress motorsport hotel which sits behind the main grandstand on the GP track very nice hotel it cost £117 for the night which is probably expensive in relation to some of the local B&Bs

I also purchased a ring pass which was 4 laps for 100euro online from nurburgring.de and they posted it out I would advise also checking the website for the opening times or download the app as it has all the info on it as well

tourist days usually run in the evening mon-fri between 17.30 & 19.30 I managed to get my 4 laps in during that 2 hrs I was coming off after a lap and letting the car cool down before heading back on

don't go there expecting to set a blinding lap time etc, go and enjoy it and be cautious there will be loads of people there that know the track really well so keep a close eye on your mirrors and always pass on the left and use indicators when passing and when letting someone pass u

[Shinobi675]

It's fantastic but the first time you will realise it's bloody fast! Just take it easy and enjoy. I will guarantee you'll be overtaken by a gt3rs who's on full chat while you're considering braking!