I am going to rent a car and do 6 laps of the Nordschleife on June 25th. I was wondering if any of you have done it before and could offer any advice. I was thinking of renting a GTI or maybe an M3(since i am familiar with it). Is it worth it to rent an expensive, but fast, car or should i stick with a GTI or equivalent? Has anyone stayed nearby? Recommend a hotel. I found a great UK based website that had loads of info, but am also interested in an American point of view as well. Keep the tips flowing.

I can't offer specific advice on the 'ring but you should be very careful on that track. There are some wicked fast turns without much runoff if you get in trouble. Also, anybody can get on that track...you might pass a tour bus, while getting passed by an M3 while he's getting passed by a superbike.

I hope to get to europe late this year or on the annual March Audi trip next year. I have a little track experience, I'll likely rent a 3 series or possibly a Boxster. I think you would have a great time in a GTI or 3 series...you might get over your head in an M3.

Doesn't really matter what you drive the first time. Even if you drive a M3 you will be passed by the guys with old GTi's but run there every week. The track itself is hard to familiarize with due to it's 22 km lenght, and 6 laps is not enough for that. Just take it easy, watch out and you'll be fine.

where can you rent any good 3 series'? I couldnt find anywhere to rent.... can you name some rental agencies or places? Also, how old do you have to be to rent? is 20 ok, or is 21 required?

You usually have to be 25 to rent the upper scale cars. If you are interested in information about the Nurburgring and some local rental places, go to this website: www.nurburgring.org.uk

There are two specialty rental places listed somewhere on the website. One of them rents porches for around $190 Euros per day. They also list several regular rental agencies.

Keep the shiny side up.

Here is a link (http://users.ameritech.net/mikessp/trip.html) to an Audi trip that's taking place as I type. You might be able to mine some good stuff out of there.

I've been to the 'ring twice. First time was for 3 touring laps in May of '03 and second time was for a 3-day BMW CCA driving school in August of '04. Do not bother getting a fast car; you'll kill yourself. Get a BMW 320d or equivalent - they're super on torque, excellent on gas mileage, and cheap to rent. You can get them at almost any rental car agency. We used Budget the first time, and Sixt the next.

It is very difficult to know the proper line through this course. Not only is it ultra long, but it's got a lot of non-intuitive sections, and because you cannot really see far enough ahead in a lot of spots, it's not something you can just "feel out." It requires actual knowledge of the line. If you ping me offline I have a video that we did following behind an instructor during one of our first full laps there, so you can see him taking the proper line. I would post it here but I don't want to kill my server bandwidth for the month all in one day ;)

If you have more specific questions let me know. The Dorint is right on the property, although many folks have stayed at little B&Bs close by (near the Nur Burg, or Nur Castle). Make sure your rental car does not specifically prohibit 'ring coverage ;)

I'm here, so ask more questions if you need. I'm no expert, but having been twice, including one very long 3 day (10-12 hour days) event, I do know a little.

Some simple tips (some which *should* be obvious)
- this is a loooong track. Don't try to be fast. It will be days before that happens...
- use your mirrors.
- use the turn signal to show where YOU are moving to, when getting passed.
- pay close attention to the track on your first laps. There are usually dots painted on the track to indicate entry, apex and exit points of the turns. However, they may be for motorcycles or Trabants...They are better than nothing for a beginner.
- the is a speed limit at Breidscheid now. Check your track map (you'll need a map)
- The days are very long during Summer. Drive the wheels off the car, but don't drive if ou feel tired.

I've used Sixt car rental. Another is Eurocar. I've been practicing on GT4. Helps a lot to know what is coming. While turning laps, watch your mirrors. Guys on the ring faster than u will signal left if they want to pass you. Yesterday the two Vipers there kept their left blinkers on the whole time.
Also, if you do 6 laps. The tires will be toast!! Have fun, it's awesome. It's a car show on crack. Last, cost right now is 22 Euro per lap. 5 for 60.

Also double check the hours for that day on this website. That way there won't be any surprises.

http://213.239.207.198/nuerburgring.de/index.php?id=186&L=1

watch the video with hans struck on the nurburgring

All these points are good ones. And www.nurburgring.org.uk (http://www.nurburgring.org.uk) is about the best website out there. Pay close attention on the beginners section. My word of advice is to get there as early as possible (if the weather's good). It's alot easier to get your first laps in when the traffic is light. As I look on my Ring Schedule (on my desk at work :D ), on the 25th of June they're supposed to be open at 8am. Now if they actually open at that time, who know's, their schedule's haven't been the most reliable.

Hope you have fun when you go, but be safe. You might see me, or Steve, or maybe even Alex Baumann up there when you go. If you see any of our cars there, feel free to walk on up to us. Last weekend, 20 March, we ran into a couple of people taking euro delivery of their BMW's. They knew Alex Baumann from Bimmerfest.com. Small world...


edit: here's some more VIDEOS (http://www.damajoo.org/phpBB2/dload.php?action=category&cat_id=4) from the Ring, including one of Steve's (///ACS330Ci) laps.

Oh yeah, if you run into us up there I'm sure Steve would take your picture if he knows which car you're in... :D

fun fun fun...
http://www.damajoo.org/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1546

Thanks for the advice guys!
I have been using GT4 to learn the track. I even bought the GT4 wheel for it. Makes the game more realistic.
I have also been watching the Stuck video and a Porsche Ruf video i have.
I am thinking i will rent a GTI or equivalent. The damn dollar is in the toilet so everything for the trip is going to be expensive.
Dirtboy, if i see anyone or their car that i recognize from Bimmerforums i will definitely walk up and introduce myself. I do plan to be there at 8am, to get some track time before it gets crowded.

Any advice on the best places to stay? I was thinking of renting a car in Koblenz and staying around there. Is that too far from the Ring? I actually went to school in Bonn back in 1997 but can't remember how close Koblenz is to the Ring? I just remember that was the closest train station.

Thanks again for all the tips!

Koblez is not too far away, only about 60km. FWIW, I live about 186km away and it usually takes me about an hour and a half to get there. :D

We stumbled upon Slider's Guest House (http://www.slidersguesthouse.com ) when I took the family last summer. Brendan is a Brit and his wife Suzan is an American. Their place is about 15 minutes from the track - and the drive there is amazing! There rates are reasonable, and they are handy to Coln, Koblenz, and some of the Rhine castle/winery drives.

Brendan has a season pass, and seems to be at the ring every day it is open. He was very willing to act as my instructor, and we ran the entire evening. He knows the track like the back of his hand!

This was my second time there, and we rented cars from SixT both times. They seemed to have the best selection of interesting cars. 3 years ago, we had a Z3, and last time, a 525Td. The car wouldn't have made much difference. There are so many blind corners, you'll be exhausted just trying to remember where you are.

Some advice - get to know the names of the corners, and have someone call them out as you get to them. It was the only way I could figure out where I was.

All the other advice is right on. There are some very fast cars with slow drivers, and fast drivers with slow cars. Remember, you're not in North America. These guys expect you to watch your mirrors! Signal, and pull over to the right to let the faster guys by.

You will return.

BTW, RedShift - How was the driving school? That's my idea of the ultimate vacation!

Spin2Win - GOOD FIND on Slider's. Looks like I will stay there the next time we go, which I hope is not too far away :)

The school was incredible. They broke the track up into several sections, each ranging from a few to as many as four or five km at a time. We drove the section forward, following the instructors, the turned around, drove it backward, and then did that again twice. Then we drove to each important corner, lined the cars up on the perfect line THROUGH the corner, and then got out of the cars to inspect the line from afar to see how it is to be taken. I have a billion photos taken from the track surface and from the sidelines that I should post some day. Overall it was in-freaking-credible. We also were provided detailed section maps showing the line and were advised to take notes throughout, which we did. My wife and I need to get GT4 and practice a bunch before heading back.

My plan is to wait for a special airfare to Frankfurt and just go! Rent a car for a few days and get a pass and just go over and over again, now that we know the line pretty well.

If you are a track junkie, this is the ultimate trip. Your find with Sliders makes it all the more enjoyable knowing we won't have to spend €120/night the next time.

The school was incredible.... ...Overall it was in-freaking-credible...
...If you are a track junkie, this is the ultimate trip...

You just about have me sold on this driving class. I'm VERY tempted to attend this. :D I started going to the Ring last summer and usually go about 2-3 times a month and I STILL don't know the line... :rolleyes Plus, the Nürburgring is the first and only track I have ever been on. I'm guessing this class would teach me how to drive my car better, not only on the Nordschleife, but on the track in general.

You just about have me sold on this driving class. I'm VERY tempted to attend this. :D I started going to the Ring last summer and usually go about 2-3 times a month and I STILL don't know the line... :rolleyes Plus, the Nürburgring is the first and only track I have ever been on. I'm guessing this class would teach me how to drive my car better, not only on the Nordschleife, but on the track in general.

Actually, they say that you should have proper driving skills before coming to the class. The track is so long that they don't have time to coach you on driving itself - only on the line to follow. So I recommend some proper instructional schools before you attempt this one. Here is some more information:

http://www.autobahntours.com/nurburgring.htm

Now you got me going, let me try to get some photos from our trip. You won't believe how intimate you become with the track - there is no way to do this otherwise, ever.

Now you got me going, let me try to get some photos from our trip. You won't believe how intimate you become with the track - there is no way to do this otherwise, ever.


Bring 'em on! I'd love to see what pics you have. I'm going up to the Ring tomorrow to do a few laps and get some pics. My friend Steve (ACS330Ci) is more into photography than me, he'll post ALOT of pics. You can view some of his Nürburgring pics HERE (http://www.damajoo.org/phpBB2/album_cat.php?cat_id=7) :D

In all seriousness, if you have gran turismo 4, you can race on the ring there, and get a general idea of what the whole track is like, moreso than watching videos imo.

In all seriousness, if you have gran turismo 4, you can race on the ring there, and get a general idea of what the whole track is like, moreso than watching videos imo.

I was thinking of making the same suggestion. There's also Project Gotham Racing 2 and the forthcoming Forza Motorsport (release May 3), both for XBox and have the Ring, althoug PGR2 doesn't give you that track until you either progressed thru the game far enough, or have placed racing on it with XBox Live.

Sunday was fun, weather was perfect, track was packed. I got in about 4 laps. Did alot of viewing and got a ride with Steve (ACS330Ci). Can't wait to go back. :D

Here's a pic of me at Pflantzgarten braking right after the bump (that's why my a$$ is in the air... :stickoutt )