NÜRBURGRING TIPS

Get the best out of the Green Hell with the advice of these experts

RON SIMONS Founder, RSRNürburg

‘Remember, the Nürburgring is a big circuit; that’s why it is so challenging and fascinating. You can’t hope to learn it in one day, so don’t try.

‘Be realistic, don’t race anyone or think you have anything to prove when you first start. So, start slowly and build up your speed gradually.

‘The track has many surprises, and dips and turns in places you might not expect. Even if you know the track well, you might come across another driver doing something crazy or out of control.

‘If you can afford it, don’t think there’s any shame in getting an instructor to help you learn the circuit or just improve your driving. Even the best of the best need help at this place, and you’ll enjoy the track far more as a result.’

DICKIE MEADEN Contributing editor, evo

‘Firstly, enjoy yourself. There’s nowhere else like the Nürburgring. The circuit is epic, the atmosphere truly electric. You’ll meet some fellow car nuts and make some new

friends.

‘Just because you “know” the track on your PlayStation doesn’t mean you’re Stefan Bellof in your real car.

‘Even if you’ve been to the circuit before, don’t push too hard on your first lap. It changes every year – trees are felled, surfaces repaired and kerbs reprofiled – so you need to be sure your old reference points are still valid.

‘If it rains, be ultra-cautious, as the circuit can be incredibly slippery. Don’t get drawn into chasing other cars either, unless you know and trust the drivers ahead of you.

‘Try to avoid public holiday weekends if possible as the place gets absolutely mobbed. Red flag stoppages are common and driving standards tend to be random at best, downright dangerous at worst. If you can get there for a weekday evening you’ll have a blast.

‘Give some thought to insurance. It’s an unwanted expense, but it pays to know what your liabilities are if you do crash or are involved in someone else’s incident. Likewise, if you damage barriers you have to pay for them, and they’re not cheap!

‘Oh, and one last tip: I never use the last lap on my ticket. If you’ve had a great time and your car is in one piece it’s better to leave that final lap to the Gods of the Eifel and toast them with a cold beer in the Pistenklause.’

STEVE SUTCLIFFE Contributing editor, evo

‘If your first experience of the Ring is on a public day, be hyper-aware of the other cars around you, especially the ones with GT3 RS written on their engine covers. There will be quite a few and they take no prisoners.

‘Watch out for the slow zones on the circuit: there are often traffic jams leading up to these on busy public days.

‘Be alert to the tight left-hander at the top of the hill after the Fuchsröhre. It frequently catches first-timers out. As does the fast left-hander at Metzgesfeld not so long afterwards. Same goes for the late apex final corner leading onto the main straight. Turn in later than you think so you don’t run out of room coming onto the straight itself.

‘And finally, Schwedenkreuz. Don’t try to be too brave first time out. It’s one of the most fearsome corners in the world – even the best of the best sometimes come unstuck here.’

GABRIELE TARQUINI Touring car racer, Hyundai

‘The Nordschleife is probably the very best track to test a sports car. A modern track such as Valencia, Barcelona or Monza is not very good to test a road car – they are completely flat, with only ten corners. On the Nordschleife you have more than 100.

‘I discovered the Nürburgring very late, as I’m not German. The first time I drove it was in 2014 in the WTCC. For me it was a strong challenge. I’m not used to a simulator, so I became sick like all the oldgeneration drivers. So for me it took a long time to learn, and I’m still not a specialist.

‘My suggestion is to learn as much as you can on a simulator, but even the best ones which cost millions of euros can’t give you the same feeling as actually being there, feeling the dips and the crests. So when you drive it for real, go easy at first and have a lot of respect for the circuit – any mistake can cost you a lot.’