Nürburgring newbie

Blackhawk47 · 28 Apr 2018 at 18:03

Going to the Nürburgring for the first time next weekend. To say I am looking forward to it is an understatement - it’s going to be an amazing experience and good fun.

I know many members on here have been before, anybody got any tips for a first timer?

It will be my first time out on such a track (really) and obviously first time on the ring.

My plan is to rent a car (RSRNurburg), something like a Golf R. And do a hot lap with someone who knows the track.

sigma · 28 Apr 2018 at 18:48

Watch your mirrors, take it easy, don't record any times, keep away from bikes and just have fun. Watch your mirrors.

hominid · 28 Apr 2018 at 18:51

Be prepared for stoppages, especially on a tourist(open) day, as some people think that they are racing drivers as soon as they get on there.

Let faster cars past, move over to the right and let them past on the left. You are going to have someone with you so they will know what to do. If you do have an accident then get out and over the barriers as soon, and when it's safe, to do so.

Don't go mad and enjoy it.

Phil W · 28 Apr 2018 at 23:17

Use your first lap as a 'sighting' lap. Stick to the right, let everyone past and get good feel for it. Don't be drawn in to having a play with anyone. You will soon get to understand how it works.

I'm there myself in the middle of may. Third visit.

Be prepared to wait. On TF days it will close, for an hour or three at any time, multiple times during the day. When it re-opens, everyone rushes out and you can pretty much guarantee someone crashes again, for it to close again.

Got to Pistenklause for a steak. The museum at the Nurburgring centre is good too.

On Holiday · 28 Apr 2018 at 23:25

Enjoy it

On a related note as I'm sure there's quite a few of us here that have attended; how much are we talking for insurance against.. everything at the Ring in your own car?

Housey · 29 Apr 2018 at 07:58

Drive it like you’d drive a country lane at pace if you want a fast time early doors. Actually don’t do that.

Shadowness · 29 Apr 2018 at 08:00

As silly as it sounds, I found learning the track on Forza actually helped. At least I could recognise when the tighter corners were coming.

Phil W · 29 Apr 2018 at 08:19

Shadowness said:
As silly as it sounds, I found learning the track on Forza actually helped. At least I could recognise when the tighter corners were coming.

It doesn't prepare you at all for the changes in gradient though. I was amazed on my first lap around there

Housey · 29 Apr 2018 at 08:32

I get bored of most Ring videos about half way through so the first half of the track made sense the second half less so

Blackhawk47 · 29 Apr 2018 at 08:43

Yeah I plan to use the first lap as a sighting lap. Will take it easy and just let others pass as necessary. In reality I am going to have less than 2 days there but still should be a good experience.

Jamauk · 29 Apr 2018 at 08:47

As has been said, use your mirrors and watch out for other cars. Keep right and use the indicators to let cars behind know you've seen them. Don't go out there thinking you're the fastest one out there as I've seen that end badly for some. Avoid the Devils Diner, the food isn't up to much and it's overpriced because of the convenience factor, I've always found the Cockpit Cafe underneath Breidscheid to be good as you can see nicely when the track reopens.

Housey · 29 Apr 2018 at 09:15

Blackhawk47 said:
Yeah I plan to use the first lap as a sighting lap. Will take it easy and just let others pass as necessary. In reality I am going to have less than 2 days there but still should be a good experience.

My forth ever lap was an 8:36 and I think a proper lap is a minute faster so there is your target. All you need to add is a camera, a clock and a YouTube video. What can go wrong...

DAIR · 29 Apr 2018 at 10:59

I went a couple years back.

I had RSR provide me with a rental car and tuition time on the track. I also signed up for their tour of the region experience (used their e92 M3 for that). The whole thing was not cheap..... However, it was definitely worth it.

My favourite hotel was the one next to the entrance that leads upto the Castle. I've forgotten the name of it.

As for car rental.... As highly as I rate RSR. They are expensive.... It will probably be cheaper to rent one of those Suziki Swifts from Rent4Ring.

And most importantly.... Don't skip on the insurance!

Frozennova · 29 Apr 2018 at 11:20

Shadowness said:
As silly as it sounds, I found learning the track on Forza actually helped. At least I could recognise when the tighter corners were coming.

From everything I have seen this is the worst possible advice.

The first bit of advice I have ever seen being give for a Ring first time is drive what you can see.

Housey · 29 Apr 2018 at 11:24

Frozennova said:
The first bit of advice I have ever seen being give for a Ring first time is drive what you can see.

Hence my point about a country lane. If you approach it with the mindset you know roughly where it goes and carry pace with that in mind you can have a big one. Speed comes from joining up the sections, it's why locals in a 1.4 Nova can keep up with GT3's driven by city boys. If you think "ah, I remember this bit" and your memory is from Forza and you are going well (most are not going quickly) you can expect to bin it at some point.

Do a lap, come in, think, think some more, do another lap, in...more thinking. Also try and get some passenger laps first if you have zero track experience to soak it up and spend time watching the mirrors to see how cars act around you....from the passenger seat.

ShivP · 29 Apr 2018 at 11:43

I have clocked probably about 500 laps on assetto corsa and know it very well.. However I'm not sure whether this will help in real life

Jamauk · 29 Apr 2018 at 11:44

That's a good point from @Housey, get some passenger laps from people, get chatting to Nurburgring veterans and they'll happily show you around the track. Avoid the ring taxi though, I've seen the track closed a few times because of the drivers showing off to their passengers!

I also don't think timing it is a safe thing, it just pushes people to push more and more beyond their safe zone which can only end badly, it's not a competition, just enjoy the drive, and the people running the place enjoy charging for track/barrier repairs. So essentially don't go out thinking you're Lewis Button.

Blackhawk47 · 29 Apr 2018 at 12:51

Not bothered about timing. I’m sure the whole experience will be good.

DAIR did you book the RSR rental and stuff in advance? I’ve been emailing them, they say it’s ideal to book I advance, then if something happens and you don’t get all your laps in on the Saturday then we can finish them Sunday morning. This is my plan as we are getting the ferry to Rotterdam then driving to the ring on Saturday morning.

So I’m thinking to use Saturday to have a wonder round and see RSR. Maybe get a sighting lap, then spend a bit more time on Sunday morning.

DAIR · 29 Apr 2018 at 14:47

I booked everything in advance. If you have time I'd definitely sign up for the tour of the region. It was really interesting to learn about the history of the track and surrounding areas.... It also includes a great meal / buffet at sabine Schmitz's family run restaurant!

Also get yourself a ring taxi ride. I used Renn Taxi. Who at the time was running an E90 M3.... It's great to witness (first hand) how to do a proper lap.... Just me sure it's done on a empty stomach!

Rich1988 · 29 Apr 2018 at 20:10

Frozennova said:
From everything I have seen this is the worst possible advice.

The first bit of advice I have ever seen being give for a Ring first time is drive what you can see.

I wouldnt say its terrible but you cannot rely on it being the same as a game, it isn't. I played Forza a few times before going more out of interest and after I got back and the tracks are different. However It may still be a good idea to get a general feel of what it looks like.

Watching full lap videos (in real life) is a good shout though. But you wont remember the track regardless.

Best advice I have is just take it easy and really really dont get sucked into racing other people thats when mistakes happen, drive your lap for yourself (whilst paying attention to others). I didnt time my first laps but I did record them and watch them back afterwards which helped me on laps on the following day.

Nürburgring newbie

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