The Ring. How bad is it really?

[er-minio]

Planning a bimble (on 4 wheels, we'll be on two cars), with a colleague, within Germany in Feb.
Plan was to go all the way to the VW Museum and then back visiting another couple of bits on the way.
We'll most probably drive past the Nurburgring and we considered maybe doing one touristic lap.

Now, I've been around the ring a number of times on my bike travels, never bothered to go visit it.
One of the main reason is: I do spend a fairly decent amount on track each year on the bike, I'm used to that and roughly know how to behave and how others behaves. Watching the YouTube videos I've generally always seen mayhem as there is a real uneven mix of skills, lack of knowledge, etc. etc. or at least that is what it looks to me via YouTube videos.
I've seen some of those type of drivers in normal trackdays and those are normally ejected within the first couple of sessions: generally on their own when negotiating the first corner or because of a black flag

For this very reason I always steered clear of the ring, especially on motorbikes.
But... since I know that quite a few people in here have been, my question is: is it that bad? Or by watching it on YouTube I am just being exposed to the worst of the worst?

Also, in case one is to attend a lap: is there anything that can be done online (tickets, paperwork) to shorten waiting times and queues when on location?

Thanks.

 

[earthmover]

I've been on a bike three times (all of which were a good while ago now) and found that it varies hugely. Two times it was busy, once with a lot of tasty machinery, once with a lot of Joe Public. Third time we virtually had the place to ourselves.
Mark

 

[er-minio]

Ok, so just go, hope for the best, and be careful.

 

[Arsey]

Been on 3 bikes and in 2 cars. Always enjoyed it. No issues if you just ride/drive to your ability.

 

[er-minio]

Thanks Arsey

No issues if you just ride/drive to your ability.

Thanks, that won't be an issue. I'm not that fast on two wheels already and I'm significantly worse on four. No pretend-racing intentions. So, really going to just have a nice "flowing" drive and enjoy the drive in real life for once.

 

[Squonk]

Did it a few years ago in a knackered old Audi estate. The traffic was absolutely fine, much better than the average UK track day. Booking on was easy, we went to the main (modern circuit) and got tickets for the excellent museum and the Ring. Spotted an offer that you could drive the modern F1 track as well for not much more, so did both. Had a 20 minute session on the F1 track, and then round to the Norsdschleife. You just get in the queue, stick your ticket in the automated barrier, and off you go. It was all evening sessions (1830 I think) as manufacturers were using it during the day so we had some food at the cafe near the entrance and watched the arrivals, mostly locals in Golf GTIs and 3 series BMW’s.

It was excellent fun and well worth the visit.

 

[fs996]

Treat it like a road to be ridden at a pace comfortable for you. Watch your mirrors for fast approaching cars/bikes and move to the right if any have caught you and want to pass (sticking your right indicator on lets them know you've seen them). I would avoid it in the damp or rain, every time I've rode there in the wet it was ridiculously slippery and there are well-known areas in particular that you won't know to look out for. Otherwise ride with caution and if there are any obvious nutters let them go out before you.

 

[adventuredon]

I tried to go in 2019. Got there and someone had crashed badly. Track closed while they repaired the barrier. Waited 3 hours and it was still closed so you might not even get on...

 

[er-minio]

Thanks all! Looks like we can make a day out of it.
My friend will be traveling with his (young) kid as well, so all the extra stuff to do on the grounds will be appreciated.

 

[fs996]

Also bear in mind, given the geography of the place, it's entirely possible to go from sun to rain 3 or 4 times per lap!

 

[Tinytim]

Check your insurance small print where it excludes tracks. They all now specify that also includes the Nordschleife by name. I think it's also illegal out there if you're not covered .The financial consequences of a misshap without insurance are horrendous now. I've ridden it quite a few times in the past but now wouldn't touch it with a curtain pole. Great place to still visit and watch from various viewing points but no, fekk that for a game of soldiers.
Careful now.

 

[KMD]

What Arsey said. I’ve been quite a few times on bikes and twice in cars. Take it at a pace that’s within your ability, keep an eye on your mirrors and be aware that you will get passed, and not everyone who passes you has done it through skill and ability, some of them are on their ragged edge and need watching. Other than that, it’s still just a road really.

 

[er-minio]

Check your insurance small print where it excludes tracks.

Ye, I know that bit very well. My previous insurances for the bikes explicitly didn't cover the Nordschleife. It was in the small print.

not everyone who passes you has done it through skill and ability

hehe – this was the exact reason for this post

 

[HGS]

Been a few times car and bike
Lots of faster and / or better on there, just go at your own pace
Can be very slippy if damp or wet and as said previously, weather can be changeable on 1 lap, very expensive if you are the cause of a closure
Just got tickets (A re-loadable plastic card) from the car park office
Always been during the week for the evening public session as it is mainly used for testing during the day. Worth turning up early and going to different locations around depending on who is there. Get to see some pre production vehicles tear arsing around
Check your insurance as some exclude the ring by name
One visit the previous mention of the F1 track was available, it was mixed cars and bikes that lasted for all of 3 laps until some goon in a big American car dumped his engine oil all down the home straight
Last visit 2019, I sat it out and had a coffee

 

[harry the cat]

Micky’s your man. Been there, trained on it, and done it. I went round some years ago on one of Micky’s trips and enjoyed it. My thoughts:
Watch your mirrors constantly, those Porsches are quick!
Be ready to get out of the way.
Stay off it when it’s wet.
Don’t try and ride as a group, go at your own pace.

It’s not just the Porsches, you’re more at risk from the fools who’s ambition outweighs their skill. One of our friends came round a bend to find someone had lost it and covered the road in debris. That was expensive and painful. The cost of the track recovery services coupled with the price of repairing your bike can be minty.

I came across a professional bike trainer of our acquaintance not that long ago who takes groups to the Eifel. Told me he no longer took clients on the ring because of the risks posed by the X box generation.

 

[Greg Masters]

As a race track, the big issues are its length and lack of run-off.

Unless you are Maro Engel, you'll never 'know' the circuit so largely have to drive to what you can see. When you make a mistake the barrier leaps out in front of you VERY quickly!

 

[paul08]

I doubt that it will be open in February. Better check the website

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Micky’s your man. Been there, trained on it, and done it. I went round some years ago on one of Micky’s trips and enjoyed it. My thoughts:
Watch your mirrors constantly, those Porsches are quick!
Be ready to get out of the way.
Stay off it when it’s wet.
Don’t try and ride as a group, go at your own pace.

It’s not just the Porsches, you’re more at risk from the fools who’s ambition outweighs their skill. One of our friends came round a bend to find someone had lost it and covered the road in debris. That was expensive and painful. The cost of the track recovery services coupled with the price of repairing your bike can be minty.

I came across a professional bike trainer of our acquaintance not that long ago who takes groups to the Eifel. Told me he no longer took clients on the ring because of the risks posed by the X box generation.

That photo of Micky will be along shortly


No
Not that one

 

[Santa-2512]

The ring can be closed or restricted at any time,
Some things to note

Your standard insurance wont cover you... Period. 99% have a Nurburg Ring/ Nordschleiefe clause in them

If you do go and have a off, ffs dont hit the armco! The charge to replace is about 1k per metre or section.

And unless your a 9 year old you wont remember the bends

And thats when the talent runs out

 

[Arsey]

Halloween is looming and the doom mongers are out in droves