Oppo I need your help!

"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
07/21/2016 at 06:12 • Filed to: None

An old friend and I have been talking about going to the Nürburgring to drive the Nordschleife, and we decided that we will drive there tomorrow, since we can also watch some of the WEC 6h of the Nürburgring practice sessions while we are there. However now I’m doubting about taking my own Twingo on the track, with it’s econobox suspension, tires and brakes, or renting a slightly track prepped Twingo RS, like this one:

http://www.rsrnurburg.com/car-rentals/re…

What would you do Oppo?

DISCUSSION (20)

Clemsie McKenzie > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 06:18

With my budget, I’d just take my econo Clio, and drive it less hard. And then maybe I’d regret not renting a faster car. But I feel that for a first time it'd be enough for me. The Ring is a scary place.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Clemsie McKenzie
07/21/2016 at 06:21

I was thinking along the same lines, my budget doesn’t like that much money for a few laps too, though my friend is not used to driving my car, so I’m just afraid he fucks it up...

Flavien Vidal > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 06:29

I usually go to http://www.rentracecar.com/ because as far as I know it’s the only rental companies that gets direct access to the parking lot right next to the ring, allowing you to avoid the queue when trying to get in, even if the parking is full. What sucks is that they replaced their Suzuki Swift Sport by Clio RS, which are faster but don’t come with a proper manual gearbox. You have to rent the Scirocco which is more expensive for that.

So if you don’t mind the extra cost of the Sciroco, go with them, it’s the rental company with the best access to the track. If you want cheaper, go with RSR, I’ve heard they are great. I also recommend taking all inclusive rentals, it’s a bit more expensive, sure, but you don’t have to queue to get gas when you’re done so...

Let us know how it goes! A first time on the ring is something you’ll never forget!

And yes, go with the Twingo RS, you will enjoy it A LOT more than with your car...

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 06:29

On one hand, taking your own car there you would really get to learn your car on the toughest race track in the world but on the other hand, a basic Twingo would probably a bit short of breath. Another thing that I would take in account is that one lap on the Nürburgring is about ~20km but way more stressful for your car than it would be on normal roads.

Flavien Vidal > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 06:43

Oh yeah and if you plan on going there for just one day, maybe try to go on a week end. Tomorrow the track is opened only 2 hours. If someone crashes badly, the track will be closed for up to 1 and a half hour sometimes... That means your trip and rental would be potentially ruined.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 06:44

If it’s your first time, I’d just take your own car and take it easy. However, if you know it’ll be hard to resist the urge to go flat-out, rent one.

OPPOsaurus WRX > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 07:07

that last part right there. You don’t wanna fuck up your own car never mind someone else doing it. If my friend let me drive on the Ring, I’d be driving like I stole it.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/21/2016 at 07:18

I just talked to him, and he said he would accept it if he didn’t get to drive. So he can’t fuck it up

Flavien Vidal > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/21/2016 at 07:46

Fucking up a rental and crashing will cost roughly 2500 euros as this is the average cost for deductible on the ring (plus Armco repairs, closing times cost of they have to close the road because of you and 600 euro for the emergency vehicles involved in getting you out of here) If your car is worth less than that, it might be a better idea to drive his own. Also the ring during touristenfahrten is NOT a racetrack. It’s a one way tool road with no speed limits. Unless your insurance excludes the ring from coverage in its contact, your personal car will be insured in case of a crash. That would cover Armco damages and recovery trailer. Most UK and German insurances exclude the ring though. This is not the case for most French insurances though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 07:48

Brakes are okay in short bursts, I thrash mine 20 miles at a time on the twisties to work and they dont fade. Suspension is good enough too but the tyres are the weak spot. Not sure if you still have the stock continentals on but they suck, even more than the boggo cheap tyres I have on now after the contis wore out.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
07/21/2016 at 08:02

I’ve still got the Conti Ecocontract 2e’s on, but I don’t really have the impression that they are terrible to be honest.

RWS Motorsport > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 08:02

If its your first time going, I’d take your own car, and just take it easy. you’re not going to be able to set any lap times anyway, so just go around at a sensible safe speed, and keep an eye on those mirrors.

I took the honda and never got out of 4th gear, and think i might have nudged 100mph once on the whole lap. And I’ve spent hours (and i mean HOURS) driving that place on a console, so i knew what corner was next and where i was. But just being on the track is so different to that.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > RWS Motorsport
07/21/2016 at 08:08

Yeah, I think I might just take it easy, like you say. I do plan on leaving 4th gear, though ;-)

DutchieDC2R > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 08:34

Ive been there several times and honestly, its not like youre gonna set an N’ring record. I’d choose to drive the Twingo. We’ve met, you seem like a responsible person who knows what he’s doing in a car, I take it you won’t be going crazy on track. With that in mind, keep it cool, keep an eye on your mirrors and just take it easy. You dont have to blow through every corner with 120 km/h. Also, while youre struggling to get through the uphill sections, youll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, which is amazing.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > DutchieDC2R
07/21/2016 at 08:50

You mean I should take my Twingo, right? Yeah I think I’m just going to take it easy in any case, I don’t think my GranTurismo experience counts in the real world.

RWS Motorsport > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/21/2016 at 13:28

Haha you swine! dont forget to take the obligatory car in front of the Nurburgring sign (though try and better than me and actually fit the whole sign in...)

Kinja'd!!!

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > RWS Motorsport
07/21/2016 at 13:30

I’ll try! That would be the first time one of my pictures has higher quality than yours! haha

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/22/2016 at 16:17

I’m probably too late: USE YOUR OWN CAR!

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jobjoris
07/22/2016 at 16:25

Your not too late, we didn’t go due to bad weather predictions, thunderstorms from 11:00 till 20:00.

But I had already decided to go with my own car, and take it easy, so I’ll do that when we do go there, which will probably be within the next few weeks.

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
07/23/2016 at 02:10

It really is a life-changing moment anyway, no need to pay extra for another car you’ll hardly notice. That’s the idea. Be ready for an amazing ervaring!