Nurburgring

[RS America]

I’ve gotten a couple of emails from people wanting to know what a day at the Nurburgring is like, thought you guys might like to hear too, so here goes.

Couple of things about the Nurburgring. 1 lap is 14 miles (21 kms) long, there are 145 corners, according to Top Gear. A lot of elevation changes, elevation changes in the corners too. A lot of the corners are Blind corners, I came around one corner one time and there was a Tour Bus in Front of me, yep. There are only a couple of spots where you can leave the track with out destroying your car. The rest of the track the guard rail is only 2-3 feet from the asphalt. It is not a forgiving track at all. There are very few days when there is not a accident. I’ve had 1 off and 1 360 degree spin, stopped about 2 feet from the guard rail.

The only qualification you need to get on the track is a car or motorcycle and 26 euros. That’s it. No safety checks of your vehicle or of you, NO safety equipment (helmet, 5 points, etc) required. No checking of drivers qualifications, they don’t even check if you have a drivers license. I have had idiots try to pass me in the middle of a chicane, middle of the “S’s”, the inside of corners, etc, etc. Not only do you drive the Ring, you have to drive very defensively too. People DIE on this track every year.

You will be out on the track with cars, everything from full blown race cars to Mom’s Toyota station wagon, motorcycles, and the occasional Tour Bus. Skill levels, 1st time drivers to professionals.

If you think you’re going to learn this track in one afternoon, you’re thinking like a idiot and not dealing with reality at all. I don’t care how many times you’ve watched it on You Tube or played it on some video game.

Learning a track with 20 corners is a lot different than learning a track with 145 corners. The word of mouth at the track is that it takes about 100 laps to learn the track, then 100 more to learn the banking and 50-100 laps a year to remember it all. I was finally able to visualize the whole track somewhere in the 90’s and I’ve been gone long enough that I need to review the whole thing again.

There’s a couple sections of the track that take special care. The 1st is the corners called Metzgesfeld and Kallenhard. If you’re off line or going too fast, you’re going off. Good news, it’s one of the few places where you can go off, if you do it right. There are a couple of videos on You Tube of this section of corners where the guys have tried to save it and rolled their cars and motorcycles. The curb is ramped, you can go over it without ripping the wheels off your car. This is where I had a full off, I knew I wasn’t going to make it, drove straight off, braked, waited for the pucker factor to go down and then when the track was clear, went back on.

The next is the straight between Quiddelbacher-Hohe and Aremberg. You come off a long left hand high speed sweeper onto this straight. I usually get up to around 220-230 kph (137-143mph) then you have to scrub off around 100 kph (60mph) to make the Aremberg corner at 120-130kph. (75-81). Here’s the deal with this straight, its downhill and then goes uphill and crowns. You go over the crown and you can feel the car go light, but you are also in the braking zone and it’s a short braking zone. I can feel the front tires dig in and also feel the rear try to lift, rear tires stay light. You’d better be braking in a straight line or it’s all over.

The corner I had the 360 spin I think it was Eschbach, it’s a uphill right going into a downhill left. I’m still not sure why it happened. I came out of the corner and lifted to start braking when she broke loose. Talked with Jay Lee while I was at home about it. I have a Quaife LSD in the RSA, he said when I lifted it might have unlocked and that’s why I lost equal traction to the rear wheels. Could be. Anyway, stopped about 2 feet from the barrier facing in the right direction, so put her into 1st gear and went for 3 more laps.
Took a break to go set up the RS America. Adjusted tire pressure to 37 cold, adjusted the PSS-10 suspension to 7, fitted the 5 point harness, cleaned out stuff. She’s all ready.

Back to the Ring. The most laps I’ve done in one stint is 12, there were 4 accidents during that stint. Out of 12 I probably got only 2-3 clean laps. Clean lap, I don’t pass anyone and no one passes me, no accidents. It’s like you’re the only one out there, so very nice. I’ve also done 10, 8, and 6 lap stints. A good day is 4-6 laps. Think about it. 12 laps = 168 miles, 1740 corners of intense concentration. I was pretty well knackered after I came off the track.

Average day 4-6 laps. 56 to 84 miles, 580 to 870 corners. That’s enough for anyone.

Typical lap for me is to wait about 20 minutes after the track opens to go on the track. That way most of those that rushed to get on the track when it opened have finished and come off the track. Get to the gate and check the Track Map, it’s a LED map, if it’s clear, you’re good to go, if part of the map is flashing, it means there’s either a accident or track repairs are being made. 1st lap is reconnaissance and warm up the engine and tires. 2nd lap, hit it.

When I hit the 2nd carousel, that’s when I start checking me and the RSA out, do we want to do another lap, call for a break, or call it a day? If it’s call it a day, loosen the 5 point and start the Oil Cooler Fan to start cooling off the engine, slow to around 90-100 kph. I don’t like putting a engine that’s just been driven hard to rest before cooling it off.

Track etiquette. Turn on your headlights. Check your mirrors frequently, if you see someone gaining, pull to the right, turn on your right turn signal to let them know you’ve seen them and they can pass safely, only pass on the left. There will be plenty of drivers who don’t do any of this, so drive defensively.

Fuel, I’ll use about 1 1/4 gallons a lap. 12 lap stint used over 15 gallons and cost over $120. With track fees, fuel, and tire wear. I figure 1 lap costs about $50. Expensive hobby, but I could be wasting my money on women and booze. This hobby causes me fewer problems and is cheaper in the long run, lol.

Eat a light meal about 2 hours before, you don’t want a full stomach, you’re going to be feeling a lot of lateral G’s, neither you or I want to be wearing your lunch. I’ll ask you before you get in my car, the smell is hard to get out.

I try to do all my laps in one stint; otherwise you have to warm everything up again.

Ok, I’m off my soapbox.

7/17/13

Got antsy around 1600, so packed up and headed for the Ring. It didn’t open until 1730 so went over to Ed’s Gas Station, closest station to the track. They have a incredible collection of Car Models for sale, unfortunately no RSA. They also sell Nurburgring souvenirs, T-shirts, key rings, decals, etc.

Went back to the track and spent the time reading the book The Plantagenets. Around 1700 the cars and bikes started showing up. Track opened on time and the rush started. I waited until the rush was over before I went out. So far the track was still clear.

I ran 3 laps today. the 1st lap was warm up. There’s a lot of the track that has fresh asphalt on it. The 2nd lap was the best, not much traffic and I was smoother. The 3rd lap, lots of traffic, I moved off line to let them all pass several times. By the time that lap was over I was debating whether to go for another one. When I got up to the exit, they closed the track, accident, answered the question for me.
Parked her and took Tire Pressures, RF 45, RR 46 ½, LF 43, LR 46, started at 37 all around, they tell me the right side is loading up more, or there’s more left hand corners on the track. Towards the end of the track, there are a couple of off camber left hand corners right before the small carrousel. Then went for a walk around the parking lot and met a few people, that’s always nice.

I need more practice, I got most of the line and gearing right, but I need to get my braking points down again. Most corners I had the braking down ok, but some of the others I was braking too early, especially that uphill corner where I had the 360 spin last year. With Porsche 911’s it’s, “In Slow, Out Fast” on the corners, I was maybe a little too slow. But better safe than into the barrier.

Guess that means, I’ll just have to go back tomorrow and run some more practice laps. Oh the pain, the pain.

7/21/13

Ring’s open 10 hours today. I got there around 1000 and went on the track. 1st lap, pretty good, getting the braking points down again. 2nd lap, 4 Yellow Flag accidents, with 1 more I don’t think they knew about yet.
Track closed around 1030.

Track finally reopened around 1400. I got in 2 more laps before it was closed again, another accident. As I was leaving the track again there were 2 Flat Bed Tow Trucks going onto the track.

The Tow Trucks were doing a lot of business today. All the accidents I went by looked like complete Totals of the Cars and Motorcycles.

There’s a saying at the Ring, “If you get in an accident and that doesn’t kill you, you’ll wish you were dead when you get the Bill for the Track Repairs”. That’s right; you are responsible for any and all repairs and clean up costs. So not only do you lose your car, you get a nice fat bill on top of that. They take Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

When the track closed the 3rd time, I called it. I went back to the apartment, still needed to pack and load the RSA and clean the apartment.

Leaving in the morning to go see Jon, Natasha, and the girls in Luxembourg.

[911Ren20]

Thanks you so much for sharing the ring experience. It's a dream for me to drive at the ring.

[BimmerDob]

Great write up. For tourists, 4-lap packages is enough for sure. FWD is your friend at the ring for tourists and don't go out on track in a Hertz/Avis rental. No coverage and even if no accident, if Hertz/Avis catch wind you were on the ring (rumors of photograph bounties) you may get a bill for brakes and tire service.

It is not a "track" but a one-way unlimited speed toll road during tourist sessions. If 2 or more cars come together, in addition to all the other costs, you may get a ticket :-P

[BertoSpid]

Well...
i agree with all the post of RS America...
I was there 3 times...
fantastic... but "hot... very hot"...
Danger is everywhere...

Here, my "storie", in "French Gooogle traduction", ... (my english is not good enought to translate it...), on a french Porsche forum.

Last year, i was at Pike's Peak... If you try to go fast, you can have the same feeling ... dangerous... and beautiful....

------

Well, "I was there"

Yesterday (July 2011), 1,190 kms in the day ... Party (very) early Paris, returned (very) late, and banana between the two ...

Cedric met at Spa in May, and his friend Bernard, the Belgian club Trooz 911, co-organized Sunday 31/7 for a walk on the road book between Belgium and the Ring through the back roads and the beautiful local scenery ... Twenty cars, 911 70 2010, two British, one Saxo (due to 911 "Mounting" ...). Beautiful cars and friendly meetings ...

The landscapes of the Ardennes and the Eifel, this is really a must see!

Departure at 10:30 local, and after 150 km of minor roads, arriving at the small village of Nurburg noon for picnic ...
Weather noon: cool (about 17 °C), cloudy, dry soil ...

First surprise: a village Nürburg, dedicated to the world of track ... Hotels, restaurants, car parks, almost everything is focused on fans of the legendary track ...

World EVERYWHERE ...

Not far before entering the village, the stands and the F1 paddocks, steel, shiny, shiny, almost brand new, huge ...

Further, access to "The Green Hell" ...

Everywhere, Motorcycles, "very pistardisées" cars, trailers, containers ... it's everywhere, mixed with spectators ubiquitous everywhere ... mixed with those who will "turn" to present access to the track ...

So we went to the circuit access "Nordschleife", and among the crowd on foot, by bike, by car, rolling thing in "déplaçoir everyday", it first looks for a good time to park his car (without getting "fired" by security, we do not laugh, it is Germany Wink) we buy the "tower" (24 € round, there is a reduction for 4 turns), run by the "personal drain before the track" case, we return to try to prepare "a bit" in this changing street bazaar (nothing lying around in the car, everything is locked in the trunk, it puts on his helmet (not required: given the German road regulations, there is a "normal" way! In case of accident, it is the local police, which establishes the conclusion), and fits in the queue ...

Quick mental check up ... Trust ...
Breathing, to breathe ...

The atmosphere is warm and very real pressure ... Ambulances are not far, convenience stores, can be seen passing broken plates on cars ... It is reminiscent of the ancient circus games ... And the arena, the track ...

Soon my turn ...
His magnetic card passes on the drive, the gate opens, it's gone, it's on the legendary circuit ...

Made hot under the helmet for a while now, hands in gloves become wet, the gaze narrowed on a piece of asphalt, tight chicane is happening is the track!

Go Go Go ..

That fuse pronto everywhere, all colors in retro, and all kinds of "stuff" that run ...

"Your tires are cold, your pads are cold, your engine OK, MAKE BOOBS!" (Thank you my guardian angel)
On the fifth turn, everything is rigged ...

The "road"?

It's easy, we see almost NOTHING most of the time ...
- It turns? trees everywhere!
- It goes? but where, where it runs after the bump??
- Clearances? no local dictionary!
- Width? Two lanes, constants, no more ...
- Vibrators? crevices automatic ejection!
- Public? installed on the hills overlooking the track, there "when it breaks"!
- Retro? Mandatory and well settled as big different speed sometimes ...
- Orange flag? FIVE in a round, each time with a car or motorcycle on the ground or in the barriers ...
- Overtaking? local "zozos" make law at home, but still, it seems, it seems, attentive novice ...
- Heart disease? Permanent!
- Sensations? HUGE!
- Platitude? negative here is that up and down, sometimes even sacred slopes!
- Flip / flap? forget what you have encountered up to that point ... : There, "up / down" is associated more different and parabolic rays, more "blind track" crazy everywhere (I - managed - to pass a blue Renault Traffic and English ...!) Banked turns concrete (reinforced? ...) and in these places there, the public, many public, armed also with camera to capture (literally meaning sometimes) large and small crashes ...)
- Overtaking? : I could see many exhaust pots ...
- Number of turns? After 5 minutes, knows more, it swings from one to the other, never the same, already the following, almost no straight line (or so I have not seen ...)
- Example? : I get a turn in a mounted ... as "behind it is the unknown," I am careful, some (but not troppppppppp) to attack ... A car passes me input on the outside (! ...), I try to follow, and output is already 50 meters ahead! Why? Ben, I think, he knows the sequence following, already immersed in the curve after, while I'm looking for the path ... and it's like that for more than 20 terminals!
- Speed? I think I spent 5é once or twice (not ...), but rather it is passed between 4000 and 6700 permanently, as in other circuits, sauffffff there, no benchmarks, and should not hang .. .
- Thirsty? : Permanent!
- Tarmac? : Sometimes good, sometimes concrete (banked short: it sounds like a track Panzer so it trembles ...), and many graffiti (no, I did - still - not had time to read)
- Brakes? : Essential to have good and with good liquid ...
- Tires? : Thanks R1R Toyos, reassuring smell hung in the bitumen turns "sport" ...
- "Corones"? : Useful ...
- Nationalities? : World to see plates ...
- History? : 1927 ...
- Waiting? 15 minute queue to successfully leave the track (almost 100 m tail ... it can "relax" multiple pressures ...)
- Time? : I am full out: I had to drag me

- Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

- Happy?


you studios

PS: if you enjoy sports cars, to live at least once ...
PS 2: when you love the atmosphere of motorsport, must go as a spectator, the show is over ...


Cédric a réalisé ce parcours : Geolives 3D Tour

et le site officiel : 20832.com - Motorsport - Nordschleife - Nürburgring - von Mike Frison

>> Have a nice track

[cgfen]

Thanks for sharing
Great read.

[BertoSpid]

Hi
I have translate my "story" (google translation : level ?? )

[911jettat]

Wow, I loved reading that... that really put me in the driver's seat.

One day I will take by 964 back to the factory, I've visited three times but I long to take my car with with me next time I go. I was born in Austria and have spent months at a time living in France, and Spain... so it's doable at some point. The dream would be to visit relatives in Austria, factory visit, Ring laps, return to Classic Le Mans, and camp in the mountains to watch the Tour de France...

I love how these cars get us out on the road and create wonderful memories of our adventures!