Anyone been round the Nürburgring?

james8whippy · Post by **james8whippy** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:43 am

Hey All,

Not sure if this is a crazy thought or not but I'm thinking about maybe driving to the Nürburgring on Saturday and going round it Sunday on the public day. Just wondered if anyone has been round it and if they have any tips or previous experiences you could give me?

Thanks
James

wilkoturbo · Post by **wilkoturbo** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:52 am

No but would love to you driving there !? How long will I take ?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:31 pm

If a Transit can do it in 10 minutes, you should manage it

)

ianmaney · Post by **ianmaney** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:34 pm

I've been there twice, best advice is don't crash as it will cost you a fortune! No insurance company will cover you even though it is actually a toll road, and get there early. You can do half a lap from a village called Adenau or a full lap from the main car park/entrance, very un-nerving, keep to the right of the road and did I mention don't crash! If you have a 'bump' the police will turn up and fine you for speeding believe it or not, then you will be charged around €350 per meter of damaged barrier, you have to be recovered even if your vehicle is driveable so there's another cost, and finally you have to pay for track closure! Hope I haven't scared you too much

however, the scenery around there is breathtaking and Adenau has some excellent bars and restaurants!

james8whippy · Post by **james8whippy** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:02 pm

I would estimate from google maps around 8-8.5 hours from Essex via the ferry (405miles).
I did think about that top gear episode if I make round in one piece that will be good enough for me

, I know I am not going to be any where near the fastest but I it should still be laugh.
I'm just not looking forward to the total fuel bill, tyres and brake pads

Ian can I ask did you go round in the X5 both times or did you take the gixxer? I only ask because I plan to take my Fireblade round there in the future but thought it would be best/safer to check it out in the car first.
I've heard some horror stories of people crashing there and getting penalised for damaging/closing the track I need to take it easy I think. Did you camp there or get a hotel? I'm thinking about camping as the weather is showing 23c on Sunday so should be nice and warm and much cheaper need to save all the £££'s for the petrol tank!

ianmaney · Post by **ianmaney** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:23 pm

No I took the bike both times, we stayed in a hotel about 15 miles away from Adenau but I do plan to go back in the X5 one day, there's plenty of camp sites in the area so you should be ok. There's a large viewing area at the top end of Adenau the part of the track is 'Bright side' can't spell it the German way on an IPhone I'm afraid, go to the end of Adenau and under the bridge, there's a car park on the left, then cross back over the road and go up the steps, wish I was going, you'll love it !!!

wilkoturbo · Post by **wilkoturbo** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:46 pm

I would to go down on a 3 day weekend with the X if your going next summer give me a pm I'll go with ya ! What do you think its going to cost £££ altogether ?

ianmaney · Post by **ianmaney** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:43 pm

Not sure what the ferry cost is to be honest, as I say, we went on bikes so didn't look at the car prices, it was €19 per lap at the ring last year so don't know if it's gone up yet but I could find out, there's a guy I used to deal with that organises weekend trips that I can have a word with him and get a cost for the whole thing minus track money and fuel if we could get a few of us together as he does it for performance cars or bikes, so we'd have to get a group of X's if anyone's interested??

james8whippy · Post by **james8whippy** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:11 pm

Yeah that would be cool!

I just worked out quickly might not be 100%

P&O Dover to Calais is about £60 return
Track has gone up slightly it's €26 a lap or €95 for 4 laps http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/angebote/driving-experiences/tourist-rides-nordschleife.html

Petrol is slightly cheaper at an avg price of 124.37p in France and 126.10p in Germany. Belgium is slightly dearer at 136.36p so I'll make sure I fill up at France and Germany. http://www.theaa.com/resources/Documents/pdf/motoring-advice/fuel-reports/august2012.pdf

I think I would probably do about 3 tanks so about £400.
Camping should be pretty cheap for a tent I hope!

The cost of tyres and brake pads I dread to think

DougieV8 · Post by **DougieV8** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:56 pm

Unless ur tyres and pads are well worn then surely no issue!?

Not many miles being done on track and rest easy motorway and A roads

Enjoy

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:17 pm

Has anyone seen the V12 X5 do the Nurburgring. Sounds nice

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:02 pm

[quote="wilkoturbo"]
I would to go down on a 3 day weekend with the X if your going next summer give me a pm I'll go with ya ! What do you think its going to cost £££ altogether ?
[/quote]

+1

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:35 pm

Hi last time I went was on a bike. A good run over there but once at track it was wet so didn't push it bit you get cars and bikes all on cicuit at same time.

But one of my friends went over in last year and used a v5 golf and used a quarter of a tank on a lap with spirited driving so you can easily use the fuel up but he enjoyed every minute of it.

Best advice is take your time and let any fast ones let go past you as some really do seem to know the road well.

james8whippy · Post by **james8whippy** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:01 am

I have about 6mm on the tyres so hopefully that will last. Brake pads have about half the life left in them.

I plan on doing 4 laps so the first couple I will take easy just to get the feel of the track and then give it a little on the last 2 laps. I know I'm not going to anywhere near the fastest out there far from so I will just let people overtake me because I know once I get that feeling that I need to best the guy in front I will end up putting it into the barrier.

Appreciate all the help. I have booked the ferry now with DFDS Seaways Dover to Dunkirk £58 not too bad I thought better than P&O at £85!

I know there's certain rules for driving in Europe.
I know I need to get a GB sticker for the back also a high vis jacket. Just read that since July 2012 everyone must carry a breathalyser in France so will get one.
In terms of headlights I have factory Xenon's on mine so do I need to get the stickers that go over the headlights to dip the opposite direction?

Any thing else I'm forgetting?

Thanks
James

fenj66 · Post by **fenj66** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:03 am

i turned up many years ago on my bike fully laden with luggage and camping stuff and girlfriend on the back!
we nearly became a cropper on first corner!! :yikes: next lap was much better after dumping ALL the deadweight in the car park :axe: and having the thrill of life.
definitely treat nordschleife with respect or it will have you. but its on my 10 things to "must do" list! :biggrin:

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