Nurburgring

[Rigsey]

AlexF - Good point :-)

Those GP's are common as muck ...

Good picture of someone though

[Tonyt3]

I have to disagree its anything but a normal German road - anyone that goes there with this in their mind is fooling themselves......

First off, people die at the 'Ring every bank holiday - although statistically they actually 'die' at the hospital ('Ring management dont want bad statistics therefore even 'very dead' people are put in ambulances and despatched to the hospital before a qualified person can declare them dead at the scene.....)

If you have a crash helmet, you should wear it at the 'Ring. You are literally inches from triple height crash barriers then german woodland..... and eating the scenary is very painful.

Some drivers claim that a helmet 'get in the way' of the expereince at the 'Ring, and rightly they have a point. Yes, you are more aware of your peripheral surroundings if you dont wear a helmet. However, this is outweighed by the sheer risk involved. Around 60% of accidents at the 'Ring involve 'innocent' drivers - that is, drivers that get caught up in other peoples accidents. Cresting the brow of a hill to find a car right in the middle of the track is a common occurance.... or just getting sweapt up by a faster car thats lost control into a fast corner......

So, if you have a helmet, wear it. Treat even a single lap as a proper track day event - remove all loose articles from the car, check tyres pressures, check fluid levels, wear appropriate clothing. (you need to add a little extra oil to the car at the ring, as there are so many corners....)

I first went to the 'Ring nearly 20 years ago - it was much different then in terms of popularity. Today it is heavily used especially during bank holidays, and there are all levels of driver and car on the 'Ring.

Theres nothing more dangerous than being on a track and not respecting it, and this is especially true of the 'Ring. It isnt a public road in anything but name to excuse it from the rigours of German offical dom and Health and Saftey!

your risk of being involved in a serious accident at the 'Ring is probably around at least 1000% more than driving on public roads. Furthermore, the design of the 'Ring is stuck way back in the 1950's for the most part - so your risk of injury at the 'Ring is much more even than at any other track - anyone thats been to a few track days will have had a few scary moments when they thought they were nothing more than a passenger - at the 'Ring every such scary moment is an accident - as there is so little run off.

One other point that should be made also is that the 'Ring is very punishing on road cars - including the GP. Standard tyrres, brakes, fluids and suspension (even on the mighy 'GP') are not the best things to take to the 'Ring. If your brake fluid boils (which it could do in a single lap if normal 'road' fluid) then you could be looking at the barriers with a spongy brake peddle.

Oh, and no, your normal car insurance is not going to pay for anything should it all go wrong - and you usually end up with a huge bill from the 'Ring for repairs if you bust up their barriers and halt pay as you go sessions......


All that said, great fun, and an experience not to be missed. Should be in the list of '50 things to do before you die'.....:-)

[AlexF2003]

I can't say I agree with everything you have said there - admitdly I have only been there 4 years running now.

I agree you need to treat it with respect but I have several BUTS!

The people who die are nearly always Motor Bikers........

90% of accidents are people exceeding their limits or those of their cars!!!!! Its a road and not race track and you should drive within those limits.

You WILL NOT boil the std brake fuild on the std GP brakes inside 1 lap - you won't boil them inside of 2 or 3 laps!!!!

Insurance WILL pay out - they have to by German law - I have a best mate who knows the exact tortous process BUT they were forced to. That being said it was hassel beyond belief and you SHOULD check with your insurance company and go opened eyed and informed.

You are dead right about it being somthing everyone should do

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlexF2003 (original)

I can't say I agree with everything you have said there - admitdly I have only been there 4 years running now.............

Insurance WILL pay out - they have to by German law - I have a best mate who knows the exact tortous process BUT they were forced to. That being said it was hassel beyond belief and you SHOULD check with your insurance company and go opened eyed and informed.

You are dead right about it being somthing everyone should do

My comment were mostly for other readers that may be thinking about it but not yet been - novices if you like.....

the insurance issue, was that recent? Only most policies now expressly exclude the Nurburgring.

[AlexF2003]

Yeah it was less than 12 months ago. Its hard to exculde a German Road and still issue a Green Card!!!!

Apperently the Nurburgring GmBh have no issues getting money from UK issurers!

In fact some policies now include specific cover (RS Owners Club for example!)

Alex

[AlexF2003]

BUT!!!!

I wouldn't like to try it out!

I held back - as you can see

YouTube - MINI Cooper S GP Nurburgring Easter 2007



Alex

[118]

aaaaaah that brings back memories

[R53 Cooper S]

yo alex looks like u were having fun, you will have to tell me about it wen i come down for the awards day!!!

BTW whats planed for the awards day? i havnt found anything about it!

[Robboc]

I know these are ot GP's but this is vid has been saved in my favourites for a long time.

2 Mini's take on the ring

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlexF2003 (original)

BUT!!!!

I wouldn't like to try it out!

I held back - as you can see

YouTube - MINI Cooper S GP Nurburgring Easter 2007



Alex

I just happened to come across this on youTube and I thought "I recognise that name".

You're a brave man.