Nurburgring

[Del Mar]

Besides bikes, love my cars too (and the Mrs and kids of course!)

My other passion is taking my 'nearly classic' BMW E39 5 Series to the Nurburgring.

Here's a couple of pro pics from last year - next visit is in a couple of weeks, going out on 26 June.

 

[TC3]

I will be staying 40 miles away from the Ring on that weekend you are going next. We will be riding the mountain area in Luxembourg. Have fun at the Ring

Enjoy

 

[Del Mar]

Cheers TC, we will.

Our 'cultural' day when there this year is a visit to the Mohne Dam - the first one breached by the Dambusters.

 

[happy]

one on my bucket list.....

 

[Del Mar]

one on my bucket list.....

No excuses then, very near to you!

 

[mhadden]

It must be nice to be just a "short" drive away! I had an opportunity to drive it when I was on vacation this past March. Apparently you guys can spot rental car plates - I looked on the various sites for our pics and didn't see a single one (or maybe an Astra Sports Tourer is not worth photographing ). At least I have my video proof!

The video as a whole is not exciting, but worth sharing for those who want to watch:
[video=youtube;bc5iwkdTG6g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc5iwkdTG6g[/video]

 

[Del Mar]

It must be nice to be just a "short" drive away! I had an opportunity to drive it when I was on vacation this past March. Apparently you guys can spot rental car plates - I looked on the various sites for our pics and didn't see a single one (or maybe an Astra Sports Tourer is not worth photographing ). At least I have my video proof!

The video as a whole is not exciting, but worth sharing for those who want to watch:
[video=youtube;bc5iwkdTG6g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc5iwkdTG6g[/video]

You took a rental car on the 'ring? Best place to look for pro pics is ringportal.nl

Just put in the date you were driving and a list of photographers come up who have photos for that day - it's just a case of trawling through them.

They photograph anything, not just Porsche, BMW and the like.

That's a good video and a lasting souvenir of your visit.

 

[TC3]

Good thing you did not have a smash as it is unlikely your rental car was insured soon as it went on the track, correct me if wrong

 

[Del Mar]

Good thing you did not have a smash as it is unlikely your rental car was insured soon as it went on the track, correct me if wrong

Absolutely right TC, you are uninsured whilst on the 'ring (unless you have some particular specialist insurance policy).

Luckily my Bimmer isn't worth thousands, but you also have to consider that if you stuff it you are also liable for track closure time, recovery, track/armco repair etc etc. Has been a very expensive lap for many.

In the first pic you can see a mate of mine following in his Merc SL55 AMG - worth a whole lot more and he tries not to get too carried away!

 

[TC3]

Absolutely right TC, you are uninsured whilst on the 'ring (unless you have some particular specialist insurance policy).

Luckily my Bimmer isn't worth thousands, but you also have to consider that if you stuff it you are also liable for track closure time, recovery, track/armco repair etc etc. Has been a very expensive lap for many.

In the first pic you can see a mate of mine following in his Merc SL55 AMG - worth a whole lot more and he tries not to get too carried away!

Yeah I know it is a bit of a gamble, my bro took his R1 around the ring several years back but he said with the poor standard of driving skills displayed he would never do that again as he was almost wiped out a few times...

 

[mhadden]

You took a rental car on the 'ring? Best place to look for pro pics is ringportal.nl

Just put in the date you were driving and a list of photographers come up who have photos for that day - it's just a case of trawling through them.

They photograph anything, not just Porsche, BMW and the like.

That's a good video and a lasting souvenir of your visit.

Yeah, I've looked and looked (and a few days before and aft as well). Nothing.

Good thing you did not have a smash as it is unlikely your rental car was insured soon as it went on the track, correct me if wrong

Yep! That's why I didn't get too carried away.

Absolutely right TC, you are uninsured whilst on the 'ring (unless you have some particular specialist insurance policy).

Luckily my Bimmer isn't worth thousands, but you also have to consider that if you stuff it you are also liable for track closure time, recovery, track/armco repair etc etc. Has been a very expensive lap for many.

In the first pic you can see a mate of mine following in his Merc SL55 AMG - worth a whole lot more and he tries not to get too carried away!

Yes, and I'm sure the rental car business I rented from would've not been pleased! But I took it easy. I actually did two laps, this was my first. The second was a little faster, but well within my limits, the cars limits, and track conditions. I was also trying not to abuse the car, just have fun (which being on the 'Ring was fun enough and an experience all on its own!)!

 

[Del Mar]

It doesn't matter how fast you go around it, cos there's always someone faster than you.

As you say, just have fun within your limits - it's the experience that counts.

 

[TC3]

Its those who go beyond their limits that could put you at financial loss even if one takes it easy

 

[Hyperborea]

Good thing you did not have a smash as it is unlikely your rental car was insured soon as it went on the track, correct me if wrong

How do they not cover you? I thought that the Ring was actually a public toll road. Does the rental contract specifically prohibit that section of road?


I've never been but it sounds like it could be fun with the right car.

 

[TC3]

How do they not cover you? I thought that the Ring was actually a public toll road. Does the rental contract specifically prohibit that section of road?


I've never been but it sounds like it could be fun with the right car.

It is a motorsports track I believe which will automatically be excluded in the fine print of your average motor vehicle policy private or rental...

 

[mhadden]

I couldn't read the German exclusions on the insurance part of the contract, but if it's anything like the ones here in the States, me being on it and any accident associated with the car on the 'Ring wouldn't have been covered. But yes, I was told by several that it is viewed as a toll road and if you crash, the police show up (again, leading me to actually believe it is a public road).

 

[TC3]

Looks to me like I am partially correct...

Here's the deal. The Nürburgring is a one-way toll road and German road laws still apply. During testing and racing events it is closed to the public

If you're Germany-bound and without wheels to take 'round the track, don’t worry. There are a few companies that rent cars for track use, so avoid renting at Avis and Hertz with the intention of driving one of their cars around the ‘Ring. The usual rental companies have been known to make you pay for the full damages inflicted if an accident occurs during your time at Nürburgring.

Taken from here

Macht Schnell! How to Drive Germany's Famous Nürburgring Race Track || Jaunted

 

[mhadden]

Well there ya go! I did see some of the cars up for rent for the track. It wasn't cheap! Even for the Clio's or Scirocco's...

 

[buckshot]

Dude, jealous. I'd love to rip my car around the 'ring, but there's a bit of ocean in my way. Oh well, Forza it is.

 

[Del Mar]

When we drove from MIA up to Orlando on Hwy 27 last year, we went through a place called Sebring - there's a significantly famous race track there isn't there...?