Originally Posted by Hairydalek
I think people want ideas of what it will cost, as well as (given the other thread) what kind of damage could be done to their cars.
I’m interested, but it would be handy to know more from those who have been there before as to what’s involved.
Hi mate,
I have been four times now and its relatively cheap for a truely memorable weekend.
Costs can be broken down as follows:
Ferry - £50
Hotel - £50 - £70 per night depending on what luxury you want.
Laps - IIRC it is now 20 Euro's per lap, but the more laps you buy the cheaper it becomes.
Its about a 4 -5 hour drive from Calais depending on time of day as you pass by Brussels to get there which can be like the M25. (3 tanks of fuel there and bank)
Give the car a good service berfore you go, the usual Oil and Filter change, healthy tyre tread, plenty of meat left on the brake pads etc.
I also opt to take out Insurance through Richard Egger Insurance which covers the cost of my car only. If you cause any damage to the armco you have to pay for this yourself at about £2000 per meter. You will get noticed if you hit the armco as there are surveillance camera's and marshals dotted all around the circuit, despite it being 14 miles long. The Nurburging is a public toll road therefore legally, you should have insurance but try finding a company that covers you for the Ring.
If its your first time to the Ring, then I would go during the week as the weekend can be mayhem. The last time I was there it closed six times for an hour each time due to accidents out on the circuit. A motorcyclist has been killed there each time I have been. Even then, the circuit reopens after about an hour.
Weekdays are much quieter so therefore better for learning the circuit, and it will take you a very long time to learn it. You won't be breaking 10 minute laps on your first trip without instruction.
Talking of instruction, pay a local German for a lap and they usually oblige and take you round. Get an english speaking one and he'll explain the driving line as he's driving around.
Also worthy of note, the AA will not recover from the Nurburgring so a good idea is to have a contingency, i.e. pay a local breakdown service to tow you away from the circuit.
Read Nurburgring guides, play the X-Box or Playstation and watch DVD's before you go. They certainly do help especially recognising corners and what corner is coming up next, i.e. a Left or a Right. There are many inclines and as you climb them you don't know which way they go until your on top of them.
Keep an keen eye on your mirrors as the locals gain on you at an alarming pace.
And above all, enjoy and come back with a Ring sticker.
