LSV

You can't pour diesel in a gasoline car. The nozzle is larger for diesel in Europe.
Gas in a diesel is possible. Be careful with rental.

Larry Cable

98 octane here we come!

DrJupeman

The 'Ring is a dangerous place to the uninitiated, no doubt about it. It deserves immense respect as you can pick up hellacious speed at that place. It has jumps, for crying out loud. However, I do not think you have to get instruction to put your foot down if you are an experienced track driver/racer and spend some time learning the track before you go. It would certainly would help ANYONE but for many drivers I know here on Reenlist, it certainly isn't a must (for many others here on Rennlist it may be, lol!).

This:
When I was there for ED with my BMW, I bought in advance the Circuit Euro Guide for the Nordschleife, watched video, and drove the track a lot in video games.

Of equal importance to learning the track is understanding the track rules, particularly with passing. Unlike what you may be used to the CAR BEING PASSED is responsible for the safe completion of passes. USE YOUR MIRRORS!

Lastly, remember that with ED the car is new to you, too. You likely do not know its limits and vices by the time you get to the 'Ring.

Here I am with my '06 330i going through the Kleine Karussell (note the Euro Delivery plate...):

Larry Cable

Many of the local rental companies have serious concerns about 1st time drivers
that have used video games as a learning aid (e.g: RSRNurburg)..

I personally don't think using any of these games are a good way to attain experience of the track prior to actually driving it.

Using line guides *and* watching full lap youtube videos is far more informative
than playing a game ...

The main complaint is that everyone is stefan bellof on these games, but the
reality is much much different.

Ive been tracking and coaching at the Ring for over 10 years now ... please don't use a video game to train for the real thing.

YMMV

kaution321

I've been watching full lap videos of the ring just to get some visualization of each corner. I also completed a two day performance PSDS in Birmingham on a 911 Carrera S just to familiarize myself with the car at high speeds. Although this was great fun, if I do get a chance to drive the ring I will definitely take it easy and will be practicing moderation.

kaution321

Good to know. I never knew that. I'll take a look the next time I gas up later this week.

kaution321

Appreciate the feedback. Great shot of the bimmer! How many laps did you do that day?

p987yow

For my first drive on 'ring - a 4-lap Touristenfahrten through RSRNurburg, I used the Circuit Euro Guide and video's. Even with this pre-arrival study, once I got out on the track I lost my bearings and could not tell where I was - other than the Karussell and a few other notable landmarks. For my second time, I did a track-day through RSR with an instructor. With their knowledge of landmarks the drive was faster and safer. For example at the Metzgesfeld/Kallenhard complex "aim for the yellow dot on the Armco and turn-in late". Even with many track days and PSDS Masters+, I benefited greatly from having an instructor with me. I would highly recommend taking instruction - at the least the first time at the 'ring - it's good value.

I'll be back to the 'ring this year in May with my ED C4GTS. Looking forward to applying my instructed seat time knowledge to some solo laps. Will be fun for sure.

Larry Cable

well said ... I remember my 1st lap heading up between kesselchen to klostertal in my GT3 going flat out I asked myself "do I know where I am
and where is the line..." the answer was "in a forrest in Germany and no"...

people die on the Ring and cars get totaled... take 4-5 of your favorite tracks,
tack them onto each other, plant a forrest and add 1000ft of elevantion change...

To get to a sub 8:00 lap you need more than a video game.

worf928

Assuming you've rented a car for the full touristenfahrt day, what's a reasonable number of laps to plan for? 6?

p987yow

Yes - 6 is very doable. I did my 4 laps on a quiet Touristenfahrten evening. I got 8-laps in on a delayed opening, wet track day - including one lap with Sabine Schmitz in her GT3RS .

Larry Cable

mostly depends on how many crashes occur and how many closures occur...

10 laps is probably sufficient and usually the mileage many of the local rentals anticipate for a full day rental ... I recommend rentracecar.de and RSRnurburg (as long as you dont total one of their cars...)

See if you can find any other RLers who can give you some rides around...

worf928

Good info.

I'm leaning toward RSRnurburg since they also have track days at Spa scheduled for the window in which we'll be there. I can't pass up the opportunity to add another bucket list item.

Is there a app for that

So far, I think there's one other RLer doing ED in May.

Is there a good forum for 'ring junkies? Anyone here on bridgetoganty.com? Any other good learning links?

Larry Cable

I'm EDing at the end of May ... I highly recommend Spa, if anything its even more technical than the Ring...

worf928

Expect PM presently.

I have Spa memorized from 20 years of F1 in-car footage (Not that I intend to do anything other that approach it as a 'fresh track' though.)