Hi Guys,
Just found this thread and thought I would try to help out a little.
I am a regular to the Ring, been 8 times this year!
I post a lot on a Forum dedicated to the Ring where we have lots of useful information. I will post a link at the end.
There are some basics that everyone needs to be aware of and some good advice to at least think about.
In no particular order:
Car - has to be fully road legal, this includes tyres which can be road legal track tyres eg Toyo R888's but not racing tyres.
You can have fun in any car there!!
Noise limits - yes there are, 98dB IIRC, and they are testing more, mainly if you are revving the engine to bits in the car park you may not get on.
Documents - getting more complicated. In Germany you must cary all relevant docs with you, V5, drivers licence and INSURANCE. Most insurance companies have excluded the Nurburgring in the last 12 months. If they have and you have and accident you could be in trouble both finacially and legally with the German Police.
You CAN get one day insurance for the Ring for £60.
Cary all your docs at all times with you.
Timing - DON'T do it on your first trip!! Go there and enjoy the track its fantastic but if you go chasing times you may regret it. It is 12 miles long with a lot of corners and blind crests. It takes 25+ laps just to get an idea of where the road goes, 1000's more to learn it.
If you are caught timing you can get banned, be warned.
Filming/ Photos - You are not allowed to video or take photos officially but it does go on. If you are caught, you can get banned be warned.
Out on Track - overtake on the left, keep right if you are slower than others. Accept that you will be SLOWER than someone out there - there is always a bigger fish, even if it is a Golf Mark I GTi.
Check your mirrors regularly.
These are just a few pointers.
Happy to answer any more specific questions if anyone wants info.
I know Mav who runs The Nurburgring Experience and he is a top guy.
Also I would recommend Darren from
www.RingWeekends.co.uk for a guide, tell him Ian Howell sent you.
If I am out there at the same time, I would be more than happy to help with advice and / or take people out for a passenger lap.
Ian
www.northloop.co.uk