Nurburgring

A few of us are thinking about a trip to the Nurburgring sometime this year.

Was just wondering if anyone on here has been, or has got any stories or just general info.

Chris.

[Lissa]

It's better than sex!

If I only give one piece of advice it will be 'use your mirrors'! The German's in their Porsche's will be on you faster than you could ever imagine, and they give no quarter.

Better than sex, thats a good start.

Were you on a bike or car?

[Lissa]

Two up on our SV

We beat a Falco round though

[Lissa]

Oh, if you can, aim to go on a week night, it's a lot quieter then too.

[Lissa]

Us on the 'Ring

[Balky001]

Hi Charris

I did Nurburgring for the first time last year. I did 1 public day and 2 training days which was closed off and dedicated to bikes only.

We were very lucky with the weather, the people I was with go often and 75% of their days have been in the rain at some point so be prepared.

The track is so different on a public day as you don't know where you are going and can't really learn it as the Porsche drivers are always in your mirrors. Make sure you stick to the right and indicate to show you have seen them and let them pass. The track passes can be bought individually or in groups, we bought 10 tickets and it works out you get 1 free circuit for that.

There's plenty of places to stay nearby but book ahead. We stayed at the Dorint which was on the F1 track and 5 minutes from the ring entrance. There's a petrol station near the track so no need to worry being full.

The public day I was on was shut 8 times and some big accidents. It would be wise if you go with someone who knows the track or meet up with people who will take you round. It's an experience you'll never forget and if you get the chance to do a few clear laps its an amazing track, otherwise it can feel like a busy road. If you get there as it opens you can generally get some good spaces to learn the track.

You get all sorts on there, mostly GT3s and nutter BMW's, the occassional bus, the M5 taxi service which only go sideways as well as people in Bentley Convertibles taking their other halfs for a Sunday ride and picnicer's taking the old estate for a spin. The bikes range from Cruisers, Tourers and Supermotos to sports bikes.

The track has many tight bends and the PS2/XBOX games don't do it justice, especially he elevations, but its worth learning as much of the track as you can. Each corner has a little white spot which is the turn in point for cars but can be useful, but you'll only see them once someone points them out to you so don't crash trying to look for them, but once you notice them they are generally good pointers.

It's a great experience, a bit scary but jusr ride confidently. If you see a lot of spectators that's generally where the crashes happen so just watch out. Take a walk/ride around the roads around the track before you go on it to give you a taste, there's lots of little pathways where you can watch from. The locals often spend a Sunday afternoon watching the Germans and mad English crash their cars on their toll road.

One vital bit of advice, don't damage the crash barriers, they not only bill you for the damage but the revenue lost of they have to close the track, it could get very expensive, keep the heroics for another cheaper place!

i went with a few from here last year, twas ace......... only did a few laps due to the weather

£10 a lap. but worth it

Cheers for that both of you, some really helpful info, and the pic is pretty cool aswell.

We were thinking about having a long weekend, but we might have to extend that if weekdays are quieter.

Im guessin you werent racing round (specially if your two up) but did you record any lap times?

How many times have you been round?

[Lissa]

Not racing round? You obviously don't know us. I don't expect Pete to slow down because I'm on the back. In fact, I'd hit him if he did

Did three laps. I wanted to do more but the people we were with didn't. Some wouldn't do it at all because it was 'dangerous'

We didn't record any lap times I'm afraid.