I wouldn't mind paying Sabine to take me around there in an M5.

Wow guys, thanks for the reply's! at this point my only options are to go Sunday afternoon when the track opens at 1pm or Monday (track open 5-7pm) however I'm not sure I can work that in.

So I may be with the loons on the Sunday. As for the 20min time I was just trying to get reference for when I leave my wife and daughter to do a lap am I looking at waiting in a line to get out there then 10-11min in the car (Sabine just missed 10min in a van!) then the time to work back wherever they will have to wait in the paddock.

I am also leaning on renting the Clio and maybe if when I get there and its nuts I'll search out the Ring taxi but only if Sabine is driving....

I definitely will report back!

Derek Bell talks his way through a lap of Nordschleife. Title is not accurate though as Derek does not have the fastest lap.

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Good advice here already. If you have time and are looking for a bite to eat, go to Pistenklause in Nurburg. That's the restaurant run by Sabine's family. If you ask nicely, they might give you a signed hero card for Sabine.

Hope you get good weather. We were there for the 24h race this year and were very happy with sunshine!

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Some other little things:

- When you get there, pick up one of these maps (all the rental companies, stores, etc will have it). Great map of all the small roads around the track, plus all the trails. Great for finding good watching spots.

- I found this book (Via Corsa Car Lover's Guide to Southern Germany) very useful. Covers all the auto and technology museums, race tracks, factories, and tuners. It also has a helpful section of tips on driving in Germany.

- During the daytime hours on weekdays when the track is closed, it's fun to hike up and watch the manufacturer prototypes cruising the track. From the Brúnnchen parking area you can walk all the way the karussell (and you can also walk the very steep unused section of the track that runs from Steilstrecke up to Hohe Acht).

- Also, if you have time your family might enjoy climbing to the top of the castle in the center of the village.

(Typing this up makes we want to go back right now!)

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UPDATE!!!

Well guys, I actually was able to make the trip to the Ring last week. My plans changed a bit since it basically rained the entire way from Brussels so I stopped for lunch in Prum.
So instead of arriving at 1pm and renting a sorted track car, I got there around 2:30 and decided to just take the rental car......

My only regret was missing the Old Timers Grand Prix. There were tons of vintage race cars everywhere many that raced and others that filled the car parks.

AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix*- Nürburgring

Well back o the track, I dropped my wife and daughter at the main facility as there was a lot going on with the race and I headed to the Nordschleife with sons in tow.

The said POS rental car was a front drive diesel Opel 4 door my kids called the "Golden Egg"

Now I know what your going to think, why bother?? But I will say it wasn't that bad and I actually PASSED TWO CARS!

I was either in under/overstear mode the entire time and got passed by about 10-12 hopped up "fill in the blank German hot-rod".

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Now my son took the pics from a cell phone and he was half watching so they arent great but here you go:

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OK, here's my favorite of me finally catching an passing the 996 that went out a few seconds before me. OK I'll admit it was because a Fiat X19 spun out (see my side mirror) and the Porsche slowed down. but still, I didn't spin or crash and passed a 911 while on a totally wet Green Hell!

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even made it in the day's portfolio!

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I hope the rental car company was okay with the car going on the track. A number of the agencies have scouts at the track that look for rental cars and probably search the photo sites as well. Hopefully you don't get hit with extra charges down the road from the rental co.