First time at Nurburgring

"450X_FTW" (mistermic) 11/06/2014 at 03:13 • Filed to: None

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I'm in Germany for a few weeks for work, with the weekends free to go exploring. Planning to spend some time at The Ring and renting a Suzuki Swift from Rent4Ring. Any advice besides don't crash and don't be an asshat? Half day vs Full day rental?

pip bip - choose Corrour > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:18

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dashcam

Arben72 > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:20

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Full day if you have time for it. Definitely on my to-do list next time I'm in Europe. Bring a gopro and record so we can all sit at our computers and be jealous.

JDIGGS > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:21

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I have yet to go but the best thing I've learned is when at a new place don't try to carry too much speed into turns.'

450X_FTW > Arben72 11/06/2014 at 03:32

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Sadly I forgot to pack my GoPro before flying out. I'll just tape my iphone to the headrest on the passenger seat.

f86sabre > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:35

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when they open the track give it 15-20 minutes to let the over eager get out there and run their lap. Keep a consistent line and remember you use your signal to show what side you want people to pass you on. Beware of blind corners.

Have fun, it is an amazing place.

Flavien Vidal > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:35

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300€ will get you 4 laps... On warm week ends, considering how many crashes there are all the time, 4 laps will take you half a day to complete if you take little breaks after each lap lol. If you plan on doing a full day, you get to have 12 laps and if I remember correctly it's around 700€. It's really up to how much you can afford. Of course I recommend you rent the car for 12 laps. It's totally worth it.

As far as advises, nothing much that does not call on anyone's common sense... If you've never been passed fairly close by a car doing twice your speed, be ready for it as it will surprise you the first time you'll get passed by track prepped E46 M3... You will be among the slowest on the track...

I have done a bit under 9min30 BTG with the Swift... Some can do around 9min... You never have to downshift in 2nd gear, always stay in third during tighter corners... Keep in mind it's a momentum car. The Federal tires on it are not fantastic, but if you are not used to "semi-slick" tires, it will feel like they have A LOT of grip...

And well... enjoy! It's tons of fun and you won't regret it... Heck, I'm sure you'll be back the week after :)

Jobjoris > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 03:54

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Making video-recordings from the car during Touristenfahrten is prohibited.

Just keep your eyes on the road & mirrors, have the cars overtake you on the left, watch out for motorbikes and ENJOY!

And be prepared for your life never being the same again.

When are you going? Could make it an Euro-oppo-meeting!

Alex87f > Flavien Vidal 11/06/2014 at 04:13

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Two places where 2nd is needed:

-The right / left / right before adenauer frost
-Karussel

Otherwise, yes. Third. All the time.

450X_FTW > f86sabre 11/06/2014 at 04:14

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Thanks that was going to be another question of mine. I know it varies by country a lot of times with blinkers to indicate which side you are moving to or indicate which side you want to be passed on.

450X_FTW > Jobjoris 11/06/2014 at 04:15

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Either this weekend or next. Looks like only Sunday the 9th is open for a full day this weekend

Flavien Vidal > Alex87f 11/06/2014 at 04:16

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Nah, not with the rentals... don't forget they are on semi-slicks. You can carry a lot more speed than with a car on street tires... Than are also like 250 or 300kg lighter than the street car equivalent... You'd be on the rev limiter in 2nd in the Karoussel. Same thing for the "drift corners"...

450X_FTW > Jobjoris 11/06/2014 at 04:16

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I'm staying in Neuss but I have a rental car starting tomorrow

450X_FTW > Flavien Vidal 11/06/2014 at 04:17

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The fees for Suzuki swift rental, those include the track costs as well? or do you pay for the car and for the track separate?

Flavien Vidal > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 04:19

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The 300€ is all inclusive... Gas, rental and laps. They give you a ringcard with the amount of lap you paid for.

Alex87f > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 04:22

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A few recommendations:

-You'll be slow. Don't try to overcompensate for it, it's just the way it will be. Try to be fast and you'll crash. Also, the R4R cars have a large insurance deductible. Something like 2000€.
-Play video games. They won't give you an exact knowledge of the track, but they will give you some awareness of where you are
-There is a lot of downtime because of accidents / weather / stuff. A novice driver (like me) will want to have some time to rest between laps, too. This means you won't be able to fit more than 3-4 laps per half day. Ideally, I'd recommend you to take two half days so you can drive the 'ring, let it sink in, and drive again.
-If you go on a weekend, plan some time to walk around the track and the town, as well as the parking lots

Having written this, I can now brag about my experience there and put my GoPro video! Not my quickest lap, but the car is on street tires (bone stock, for that matter), and it was a bit damp out there. And I'm slow by nature.

Alex87f > Jobjoris 11/06/2014 at 04:25

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Forbidden but tolerated. They just don't like cameras outside cars.

Jobjoris > Alex87f 11/06/2014 at 04:32

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I've seen several removed from inside as well. Probably depends on the person at the gates.

Jobjoris > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 04:35

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That's a too short-notice for me. Well, have fun. And take some time to stroll around the parking lot at the main gate (there are two gates you can enter the Nordschleife: Adenau and the main gate) as well: lot's of awesome cars there most of the time.

Alex87f > Flavien Vidal 11/06/2014 at 04:39

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Nah, the street version is 1080kg. Removing the rear seats and carpets, lighter rims & exhaust equal maybe 50-60kg less, but then add a rollcage and you're putting most of that back.

That being said the slick tires make a huge difference. I wouldn't be surprised if they shaved half a minute off of a lap.

Alex87f > Alex87f 11/06/2014 at 04:42

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Also, accomodation there is cheap. Don't hesitate to book a room next to the track.

Alex87f > 450X_FTW 11/06/2014 at 04:44

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He actually got that one wrong. The rule there is simple: always overtake on the left.

Right-overtaking is strictly forbidden and very dangerous as people don't expect it. Put your blinker to the left to pass someone, to the right if you let people through.

Flavien Vidal > Alex87f 11/06/2014 at 05:42

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oh the car is lighter than i thought... but yes with semislicks, it's third everywhere, no problem :)

450X_FTW > JDIGGS 11/07/2014 at 02:26

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I need Obi Wan in my ears telling me "slower through the corners son slower through the corners"

450X_FTW > Jobjoris 11/07/2014 at 02:27

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If I don't go this weekend then planning on going 11/15 or 16th

450X_FTW > Jobjoris 11/10/2014 at 02:39

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I ran out of time this weekend to go. So weather pending I'll be going there this Saturday or sunday

Jobjoris > 450X_FTW 11/10/2014 at 03:22

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Awesome! Don't let the weather stop you. The parking lot will show less epic cars but beating the Grüne Hölle in the rain will give you an even more awesome feel off completeness and utter virility. If you survive that is!

Maybe I'll drive up there this sunday as well to close the 2014-season...

450X_FTW > Jobjoris 11/10/2014 at 03:28

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I did a drive out there yesterday evening, just to kill some time out of boredom. I knew I was getting close because it was a plethora of tuner cars going the opposite direction.