Easter on the Ring.

[ropie]

OK , it's not really an event, but here is a story about a day and a half on the Nurburgring.

I'd arranged to rent a car from a firm, rent a racecar, in a village about 5 kms from the track. So on Easter Sunday I turn up at the office, sign a heap of papers, and credit card slips and have a look through their garage. About 10 VWs, 6 suzuki Swifts, a few 911s, Audi R8, 10 various BMWs, all the cars have cages, sparco seats for 2, sports suspension etc.

I have a BMW 318, 170 hp they say, 5 speed, lhd of course, for the afternoon, and that will be 5 or 6 laps of the track. At 20 euro per lap. You pay for the laps by loading them onto a credit card thingy and then when you get to the start area, put the card onto a sensor and the gate goes up and you're away.

I drive the BMW to the track along with 2 US guys in a Swift and one of the office guys, Otto, who will give us a recce lap with him in his Citroen diesel people mover. Part of the deal they offer so at least you can get a look before you drive.

So off we go in the van, onto a wet greasy road where a little while before someone has split their sump by hitting a ripple strip and laid oil for about 4 kms! Otto has driven a lot here, luckily, as he casually drifts the Citroen, well me without a steering wheel not real happy, and I figure we have got to go off for sure. The 2 yanks in the back seat are ****ting kittens. Real life looks a lot different from the Grand Turismo game.

Make in round in a bit of a blur and then get in the 318 and drive up to the gate, hit the card sensor and gone. You start at the end of the main straight and have a couple of fast sweepers, then 3 tighter corners, then 90 right where old and new tracks join,and then left and down and right and on it goes.

Really not that difficult to follow the track, bit of memory, some tree line, I'm having a ball, the traction control is getting a work out as it's really slippery in spots, and then pass a 911 backwards into the armco, both bent. Come to the last long right hander before the straight, and this is where you slow down, 120 limit which goes down to 60 as end nears.

Two choices here, continue ontrack to another sensor gate, stop, do the card thing again and go, or detour into the car park and food area and have a break. Me, keep going because 23 kms seemed to be over too soon.

There's a Golf into the fence this time, marshalls wave the yellow flags where crashes happen and a tow truck appears, so if it is only a small crash, just keep going. Still raining in spots. Next time around another car has gone off in a fast spot and it looks a real mess, more flags and tow trucks.

At the end of 6 laps I've managed to pick up the pace, the 318 runs out of puff at 180 kmh and it's flat out on the uphill bits at 150. Managed to pass a couple of cars at the end, instead of being blown away by 911s, M5 BMW, WRX, Evos etc. And being a holiday there's a lot of cars and bikes going round.

Monday is fine and sunny, yahoo! and back to the office at 9 am to sign another heap of papers and get my M3, 350 hp, 6 speed semi auto. The morning I've gone for the instructor package where you follow experienced person around the course. 4 laps behind Andy in another M3 coming up.

We've got 2 ways and Andys telling me the lines and braking points and I'm not saying anything cause he's going fast and I'm hanging on, but it's good, getting the info like here is the big jump, make sure you are on the left over this crest, and use this 2 ripple strips but not the next one because it's too high and just unsettles the car, and so on.

2 laps down and we pull in for a break, just as the pa says track closed due to big crash. Wander round in car park for 1.5 hours waiting, and then Andy says will open soon, so we line up behind 2 ring taxis at the gate. We will be 3rd & 4th cars away so have a clear track. 2 more quick laps and now I've got the M3 on the limiter ( 8000 rpm ) in the gears and getting to 220 on less corner bits.

Put Cathy ( wife, not a car person ) into rh seat for a slow(er) lap so she can see the Ring, let lots of cars past, only get to 160 max, she's having kittens!

4 more laps in the afternoon and this is fun, lights on now because I'm catching heaps of cars , and bikes, and some people don't see you coming.
I'm amazed by the number of people spectating where external roads come to the ring itself, there's thousands watching. So naturally, where there's most on a right hander, where you approach over fast left on crest, on the limiter and to the next right hander and climb up to another fast left over crest, honking. Well, somewhat honking.

Use up all the 15 laps on the card and then pay for 2 more, cause always seems to be over too soon, give it away as the tank runs empty and go to the servo on the way back and put 75 litres of 98 in the M3. At 1.75 euro a litre. For 260 kms driven.

All I'm figuring now is how to manage another go?

Richard.

PS. On last day of trip heading back to Frankfurt airport in the Merc c class rental, Cathy was quite relaxed in the car, even when we sometimes hit 180 as didn't seem fast anymore, especially as bigger Mercs and Audi were passing you in the fast lane!

[MSP]

Great report Richard, and I was most surprised when you mentioned Cathy wasn't a car person! With you garages full of toys and all

Do they offer any in car recording, or photos with the package?

[DAT610_WA]

Not trying to be rude, but do you mind telling us how much you paid for the car hire and bits like that, over and aove the lap costs ?
Would really love to do a couple of laps when I finally get to Germany.

[ropie]

Rent a racecar prices start from 190 euro for a swift for half day, which will get you the 6 laps. The BMW 318 was 250 euro for half day. They have a km limit in the rental, I think 150 kms for half day and 250 kms for full day.

Over this is 2 euro per km, but they are pretty leniant. I did an extra 50 kms and they said no charge, as it only for the people who 100s of kms more.

The M3 was 900 euro for the day. I think the 911 GT3 was about 1300.

Instructor was 120 euro for the 4 laps.

Each lap 23 euro, but cheaper if you buy 10 or more.

The 2 US guys in the story were sharing a Swift for the half day, gets them 3 laps each, or about 70 kms driving. Not enough for me.

Big thing is the excess if you crash, 318 was 6000 euro, M3 10,000 euro.
Plus there is a mandatory 10,000 euro cost from the track operators if you hit the armco and damage it. Plus 200 euro for the tow truck.

Most important to keep within your limit. As Andy said to me, this is not racing, just spirited driving. Go into it with that attitude and you'll be fine.

And don't take a stop watch to see your times. That brings people unstuck as they push too hard trying to cut a second here or there.

[imortl]

Originally Posted by ropie

Otto has driven a lot here, luckily, as he casually drifts the Citroen, well me without a steering wheel not real happy, and I figure we have got to go off for sure. The 2 yanks in the back seat are ****ting kittens. Real life looks a lot different from the Grand Turismo game.

Yep, been there in Aug 08. Do I want to do it again? HELL YEAH!!! Great to hear that I am not the only one here that has done it! Did a quick search on the forum to find I forgot to post my report when I did it!

You are right that the road looks different to GT4. One thing that caught me off gard was how much steeper things are than you expect from the game. (Yes, yes insert standard "it's not real" comments here!).

When I did my sighting lap, it was in a GTI golf owned by the guy from the rental mob. Sub 9 minutes he did while describing the scenery!

Even on we days there seemed to be no shortage of people watching on the side of the road when I went. Dropping into the Karousel at 65km/p was a great feeling, even if it was only a GTI Golf.

The rental prices sound a little steep but the ring operates on a "you broke it, you bought it" policy and that is not just with the cars. The info I was given is that you are responsible for the repair of armco, tarmac and anything else you destroy on your way to a full stop! If you are off to that point I think the 6000 euro would feel cheap! The insurance (on the car I hired anyway) covered all of this!

Originally Posted by MSP

Do they offer any in car recording, or photos with the package?

nein, das ist verboten!

When I was there a freelance photographer was wandering around the carpark handing out cards. You could check his site later and see if he got you and buy his pics, but cameras are technically not allowed in the cars. I did see 2 cars filming on the track while we were there but this was during private time, not the the touristfahren (public sessions). Penalties for being caught videoing can be up to a life ban from the circuit. My angle was "It's not a camera, it's a phone!"

If you do have any pics, I would love to see them. That reminds me, need to get my images sorted from that trip.....

Thanks for the Report mate!

[imortl]

Thought I'd add my story her as well.

Nurburg.

This is the bit I have been waiting for. We are 400km's out and I am keeping myself calm. As we crest a hill about 5 km out from the town I catch a glimpse of the track and I get a lump in my throat! We head into Leimbach and find our accommodation. We check in and head straight for the track. We watched the cars go out on the track. BMW, Porsche, Audi, VW, motorbikes of more makes than I can count and even a McLaren Mercedes SLR! I can smell the brakes. We head off and drive about a bit to see the sights. Back to basecamp for the night.

Friday Morning. Its overcast and threatens rain. After lunch the rain starts and we head out to the hire car mob and collect my toy for the afternoon. It's a BMW 318ti with harnesses and a cage that is insured for the ring. We follow the guy from www.rent-racecar.de out to the track and he takes us for a "sighting lap". Neralie and I climbed into his little GTI Golf (with DSG) and off we went. Oh my goodness, what a nut. He flew around while telling us the history, pointing out things of interest like the corner Nikki Lauda crashed on while showing me the line and going quick enough to catch 4 Porsche's (GT2, and 3 GT3's) and passing them (much to their dismay). We get back and Neralie and I climb into the BMW.

I get to the 2nd corner and the front end shakes violently. That cant be good. Limp the car around for the remaining 19km using as little brakes as possible and pull off into the carpark. Turns out to be a warped brake disc. The rental guys apologise and bring me out a replacement car, a GTI Golf. My goodness do they have some poke! Dropping into the Carousel at 65kph is an amazing sensation and the set-up on the car was just great. I didn't video the lap as you can be banned for that but come and see me and I may have something on my phone to show you! Get in the next 2 laps before the rain starts again. 11 minutes around for the last lap as the rain started. A prang closes the track, the rain eases and the wind picks up, drying some sections of the track. It re-opens and I go out for my last lap. I had to slow down in 3 areas, 2 for accidents and 1 for oil but I still managed to get around on a slightly wet track in 10 minutes 31 seconds from "Bridge to Gantry". I leave with a grin from ear to ear and feel happy that all the time spent on GT4 was not wasted.

Saturday morning comes and we head back out for a ring taxi ride. This is a hot lap in a new BMW M5 with a professional driver at the wheel. Walter Haupt was his name, a test driver for BMW. Speeds of over 200 were not uncommon as the M5 just threaded around the wet morning track. "It's a bit vet dis morning so we only do 210 thru de cutting ya?!?!". 8 mins 10 sec was his time and although it didn't feel as on the edge as you may have expected, the smell of the brakes when we got out told a different story. I then got to meet Sabine Schmitz and got her autograph and a pic with her. Really approachable and more than happy to give you signatures between laps!

The guy with the supercharged Vauxall Monaro was a character. I asked him what the big 8 was like around the ring? He replied with one word, "Heavy!"

Dirt lover or not, you gotta have a crack at it if you get the chance!.

[imortl]

C'mon Richard, fess up. This is you isn't it?!?!?!?!

YouTube- Ferrari 599XX - Nürburgring record 6:58.16

[neil]

You lot are making me very sad.

I have had the great honour and privelege of engineering an Aussie entry in the last four 24 Hour races at the greatest race track on the planet. There is not even a close second.

The Nurburgring is a very special place and every time I have to leave, it tugs hard at the heartstrings, only overcome by looking forward to going home to Elizabeth.

This year's race is only a few weeks away and normally I would be immersed in preparations by now, you know, looking at old data, packing and repacking looking at my photo albums etc. I have been trying to work my way nto a British Lotus team for this year's race without success.

I miss the Nurburgring!!!

Neil

[imortl]

Originally Posted by neil

I have had the great honour and privelege of engineering an Aussie entry in the last four 24 Hour races at the greatest race track on the planet. There is not even a close second.

I cannot argue there.

You can imagine my suprise when people in the car park at the ring would say "Your from Australia? Oh I'd love to drive Bathurst!"

Don't worry Neil, we will all get back there one day!

[JeffDOZ]

I have raced there in the 3 hour, the 6 hour and the 24 hour events, winning the 6 hour in our Grp N M3.

Prior to that I used to go there twice a year with the British car club that rented it, to keep the knowledge up, when I decided I was going to race there, and used to do a bit of testing for BMW North America, they enrolled me into the BMW club europa 2 day school to learn the Ring, and it was the best thing I ever did. Not only do you learn each section of the track for 15-20 minutes driving it back and forth with a qualified racer himself as your instructor but it gives you an very intimate knowledge, it was right after this did we win, and then I was sent back there multiple times from the US for BMW to do their dealer intros etc on new cars and components, ie: when ASC was introduced on the E36 BMW we ran around for 5 days straight, I didnt think think Id ever say it, but I was happy to not go out for another day when it was over.

For note; EVERY BMW prior to release has to do 5000 non-stop kilometers of the Nurburgring needing only fuel and brake pads. Now it seems every manufacturer uses the Ring and has an office there, belatedly, it seems Ferrari were the last opening a workshop there just last year. Mitsubishi, subaru, and even Cadillac all have workshops there now.

We are sending our car to Pikes Peak for this years event and Im also considering sending it to Europe after that for another run at the Ring, but maybe just in the 6 hour.

A few times we've been there, there a has been a few deaths, always seemingly on motorcycles. One guy was staying at our hotel with his buddies but never came back one night, later they decided the call the Police and we all went up and scoured the ring at night, and the rescue teams found him, he went over the guard rail and down the ravine. You dont mess with the Ring, it gives you permission to drive fast.

We were doing many events in europe, rallying and racing (Spa- Francorchamp -up the road- as well as the ring) and I kept a little BMW in the Uk I used to drive, and used on tarmac recces etc and use to run to the Ring when I wasnt there for BMW.

Fantastic track, incredible memories. The Americans were always fun, they show up with their new GT3 race prepped Porsche they just bought, put on their race suit, gloves, helmets etc, and head out onto the track, we'd show up in the M3, baseball caps t-shirts on and go out and chase them, and invariably pass them on the outside of a corner and give them wave and disappear, but sure enough, on the big straight here they'd come flying past us again, then we just pass them again once the corners come up.

The fastest Ive ever been was on the front straight under the bridge, did 187mph in a Alpina B3-10, but the best laps I ever had was in a 316ti BMW from bridge to bridge (NOT bridge to gantry you have to use on 'ticket' days) in a 9:16, I didnt lift shifting up, and down****ing would be done usually in full drifts before exiting the corners. There were 2 of us (both BMW drivers) it was so close at times I was wondering why we never touched or hit each other. Best memory by far. Then we handed the cars back to BMW, our passengers, guests of BMW, were speechless for while, I think they're still in the cafe all white and shaking...

Sorry I went on so long. Im glad you got to experience it.