Happened to be in Germany on business and felt compelled to make the journey to the Nurburgring. Yesterday there was a local Pro/Semi-Pro series called VLN - cool cars including Cups and RSRs, but there was a couple GT3 Class Z4s that were insanely fast. First I have seen them live or on TV. A couple of private McLarens were tearing it up as well.

Today the Nordschleife was open to the public for a mere 28€ per lap. Had a Renault rental that couldn't get out of its own way, but had to give it a go. Insane to think of the Silver Arrows of the late '30s, the 917's and all the others getting around this amazing track. I'm sure many of you have "been there and done that" but it was my first time around the course and I will never forget the experience. Had to stay glued to the mirrors as there are a lot of crazy fast cars out there (no point-bys out here!). There was a 964 series GT3RS that honestly appeared out of no where and disappeared immediately out of the turn - sounded so good.

This rambling could never do this experience justice - you have to put it on your bucket list.

 

I was on it in 2008 with a rental Cayman S, one of the track taxi vipers did the same thing to me! It was fun to get out there.

 

nice experience, tks for sharing.

 

Good on you for actually doing it.
I myself would be intimidated.
Time for a small track map for your car or helmet!

 

I hope your hire car wasn't from one of the major agencies.....

R+C

 

Fantastic, been there, just did 6 laps and I am constantly jonesing to go back.

 

I was there in 1995. Went to the Frankfurt auto show. The Porsche factory the next day and then went to the 'Ring. I too had a slow rental. A BMW 518i that was....well......really slow. Anyway I knew I might never make it back again and thought the exact same thing as you did. When I went around I thought of all the great drivers and all the great cars that have gone around that track. I will NEVER forget it and would tell anyone that ever goes to Germany that they must go there. Good on you for going, you did the right thing!

 

No question about putting this on your bucket list. I did it in '99 with my Tourist Delivery 996. Would love to go back. 28 euros isn't bad but the price has gone up. In '99 a lap was 20 DM, which with the exchange rate at the time worked out to about 10 bucks.

 

Is there a way to rent a gt3 near the track?

 

yup, bowl up to Manthey and persuade them that you are capable of driving a GT3 and they will rent you one.

In the real world, for the first 50 laps a new Mini will be more than enough, you have to learn your way around the circuit.

R+C

 

http://rentracecar.de/english/prices/index.html

They won't rent you a GT3 until you've been there a lot of times though, for very good reason. Note the insurance excess is 50,000 euros!

If you've never driven there any car will ensure an amazing first-time experience and a slower car will be better as you'll be more able to take in the track and the atmosphere instead of feeling the need to justify your performance in a fast car that's being overtaken by local VW Golfs.........

 

RSRNurburg also have a GT3 I think in addition to rentracecar.de ... but it costs, the deductable is formidable, and I dont think they will rent to 1st-timers...

 

Sssshhhhh!

 

I didnt know manthey rented also ... +1 on learning the lines before applying the right foot...

 

where did you rent the Cayman S from?