Hints and tips for the Nurburgring

[The Handbrake]

From a chat with a member I thought it was a good idea (sorry if I've missed a past post) if you all could pass on hints, considerations and tips for those going for the first time.

[scotty]

1. If on coilovers raise it and get a fast road geo set up before you go .

[Steve_PPP]

Watch youtube vids to try and get familiar with the circuit. I found that a better way to learn than driving it on games personally. A lot of newbies brake a lot for corners unnecessarily just as they don't know where the circuit goes. Obviously better safe than sorry but unnecessary braking in a fast section can cause issues for drivers coming up behind. Having a rough idea of where the track goes is definitely important.

Don't worry about how much power you're running. Check your brakes and suspension are good and there's no odd handling characteristics. If you're running budget pads, consider an upgrade. Don't go with budget tyres, check your pressures and check the car is in good health, no perished hoses and no leaks.

Drive within your limits, keep watching your mirror, keep to the right until you pick up speed and don't cut across to a left hand apex without being sure nothing is coming up behind you.

Oh, and enjoy!

[Red Baron]

This aimed at those going for the first time:

1. Treat your first lap as if you're driving a road you've never seen before (don't go thinking it's the same as it is on a computer screen)
2. Watch your mirrors at all times
3. Expect the unexpected round every corner
4. If running a Top Mount Intercooler do not try and max it on the Autobahns or you'll be completing the trip on the back of an ADAC truck.
5. Be prepared to be amazed by the area, it really is a beautiful part of the world.
6. Take a little box of sundries, cable ties, fuses, hose clips, self tapping screws and a few basic tools.
7. Enjoy it, it's a great trip with a great bunch of people, great food, good beer and very nice white wine.
8. Don't feel you have to follow everyone else, no one minds if you want to go and explore by yourself and those that have been before will be more than happy to direct you to places that are nice for first timers.

[BIG"E"]

I hope this is helpful.

Going to the Ring on a SES trip is not all about going round the ring, there is a lot more to the trip than that.

It is not compulsory to drive the ring, the first year I went in 2009 I drove just 2 laps and obviously I've been every year since.

The important thing is that everyone enjoys the trip and returns safely !

I have watched the following videos many times I hope the newbies find it helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAvWCFOzD4#t=16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDCqOZ1upoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdUZPlkFcEA

This vid gives you an idea of the different gradients and turns because you can see 2 others in front of the camera car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM46Wux0GcE

[Anger]

Don't crash

[Anger]

Originally Posted by scotty

1. If on coilovers raise it and get a fast road geo set up before you go .

Why ???

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Anger

Why ???

Well i found out the hard way by car scraping going into a carpark also car was to low to go into the carosel lol .

[Steve_PPP]

Your car was silly low though Scotty, must have been -60 or -70mm from standard?
And you weren't the only one to scrape in the multistorey car park in Cochem...

And normal drop on coilovers will be fine

[C. J.]

Originally Posted by scotty

Well i found out the hard way by car scraping going into a carpark also car was to low to go into the carosel lol .

You never set them until right in the first place
Should have 2/3 droop and 1/3 compression on a coil over. People think you can adjust the height ,with most coil overs you can't with out sacrificing handling.Only those with adjustments that don't effect spring and dampening can you adjust ride height

[Anger]

Surprised as I'm sure it wasn't as low as my Evo and that never scraped, couldn't even get your toes under

[BIG"E"]

Stating the obvious:

Full service at least 2 weeks before we leave.. (So that any problems found can be resolved)

With good quality oil,

Check tyres making sure they are up to the job no perishing on the side walls and no cheepo budget ditch finders.

Check the condition of your brakes, pads, discs and brake fluid.

[555_Si]

Check your Brembo's are bolted on properly!

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

Check your Brembo's are bolted on properly!

Hmmmm.......

[nikkinokkinoo]

Ensure you get to the Eurostar on time....

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

Check your Brembo's are bolted on properly!

lol harsh,

• Enjoy yourself, it's a holiday!

• Read the rules of the road and the ring (they are important!)

• If driving on the ring check your mirrors ALOT! Doesn't matter how fast you think you are or if your a first timer there is always someone faster in something slower.

• Try to memorise the circuit if you can, the videos Ian linked are great I remember watching them, flick through some of the vids linked on previous years trips here on the forum and watch some members videos too.

• be courteous! And mind the dam bikes!

• Make sure your car is 100% before the trip, as others have said tyres/brakes/oil

• Dont be afraid to ask other members questions or voice concerns, and don't feel pressured into driving the ring if you don't want to at any given time

• If it's wet...think ice ring

• It's not a race!!!

• Don't eat Ian's special ring cheese!

[The Handbrake]

Ian's cheese at pistenklause is nice lol

[Rdlangy1]

Def agree with the watch your mirrors comments - cars going considerably quicker than you appear out of nowhere.

As per most of the above ensure your car is mechanically ready - good service, good oil, good tyres. As if you were going to do a long road trip in the UK.

Enjoy it! - as much as the ring was an experience never to be missed, I loved the surrounding areas, and the drives through the mountains and tunnel runs e.t.c.

I think never doing more than you feel capable of doing is another good point. If you are only going to do 1-2-3 laps, then do that, and see how you feel. Don't go buying 5-10 laps and assuming your going to do them all straight away. Weather, accidents, car mechanics, how you feel can all affect what you do and don't do. Always be within your own means.

Ryan

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

Check your Brembo's are bolted on properly!

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

Hmmmm.......

U leave my Mr Wob alone! pmsl

(Although I guess its because you don't want to be following anyone back this year )

((You will be fine this year Rob - your car is sorted ))

[Steve_PPP]

lol @ brembos

I can't believe one of those steel cable ties held the caliper on all the way from Germany to Uckfield (well, apart from the last few miles!).

[NL03Scooby]

I still can't believe Si stuck with me the whole time, that must have been soooooo dull...

[Neil97rs]

All very good advice and much appreciated.

Car will be serviced first weekend in May.

[scooby doo]

As above really, only thing I can add is just go!!!!

[555_Si]

If i get a clio to take, it might be me this year that has to have an escort.

[C. J.]

Originally Posted by 555_Si

If i get a clio to take, it might be me this year that has to have an escort.

Get a tow bar on the merc and you can take my trailer

[Bolesroor]

Originally Posted by The Handbrake

From a chat with a member I thought it was a good idea (sorry if I've missed a past post) if you all could pass on hints, considerations and tips for those going for the first time.

Totally agree with all the comments although Wanda you should have had 'E' out in front

[NL03Scooby]

Latest beginners lap guide from Bridge to Gantry for 2017

https://youtu.be/-loBN8vZACI

[Ginola]

Watched this earlier nice guide, I do fancy a go in that e36


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Handbrake]

Originally Posted by Bolesroor

Totally agree with all the comments although Wanda you should have had 'E' out in front

Oh no! Lol quickly added.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Ginola

Watched this earlier nice guide, I do fancy a go in that e36


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just watched it

[bigemp]

All the hints and tips for us newbies much appreciated cheers

[Steve_PPP]

Watched half of that youtube vid (before Claire shouted that dinner was ready last night lol) but didn't realise there was a small parking area still inside the barriers at Breidscheid. Do half a lap, park up for a burger in Cockpit then finish your lap, BTG over 1 hour

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Watched half of that youtube vid (before Claire shouted that dinner was ready last night lol) but didn't realise there was a small parking area still inside the barriers at Breidscheid. Do half a lap, park up for a burger in Cockpit then finish your lap, BTG over 1 hour

How many times have you been ??

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

How many times have you been ??

One less year than you mate, so this year will be my 8th trip. Just always assumed that once you came off there you were effectively straight out of the circuit area and couldn't rejoin without wasting a (half) lap.