finally went to the ring with my car... probably won't go again, with this pcar anyway, it is too dam nice, and i am sure it has to do with my level of experience, but i kept asking myself why would anyone pay money to drive this track and beat the s*** out of their car... a simplistic view of the whole experience of course, and i do like to drive fast and there is an intensity to it all that is intriguing, makes me want to go back, but not to the ring, too many blind corners and rough surfaces for my way of thinking about how i want to use my car....that said, i still did 4 laps and managed to come away unscathed and untouched by the MANY other drivers out there in/on everything from monster fast bikes to vw busses(i got by him)...oh, and, recession? not here, gas €1.90/liter? no problem, but isn't that always the way...anyway, just thought i'd throw this out there...fun with caveats...cheers

 

Did you video your experience?

Maybe you can share for those of us that cannot participate as easily.

Dave

 

I've never been myself, but that road does have an odd charm about it's reputation. Open to any and all motor vehicles, too many turns to memorize, little formality about the process (unlike a full track day with lap sessions), etc.

Like I said, I've never been, but if I were ever in the area, I'm sure my rental car would have a few extra miles put on it. It is a bucket list item for me for sure.

 

the more i think back on the day, the more i am eager to go back and do better...contrary to my previous post, no vids or pics, which in hindsight i kinda wish i had, though i wouldn't want anyone to see a video of my pathetic driving...in my defense, i must say the track is very unforgiving for the novice driver and especially the first timer out there...it behooves one to do some homework before taking it on, which i was sadly negligent in doing, many many blind corners and decreasing radius turns, and the elevation changes on top of(literally) the blind decreasing radius curves, one i can remember specifically in kallenhard/ex-muhle area will getcha, almost got me, but no excuses, i will study this before my next track day, and this car is made for and by this track, among others, and i realize now that when i go back forewarned and forearmed the car won't suffer nearly as much as i was afraid it would, (in my less than experienced hands)...i'll be back

 

Buddy of mine who races p-cars here in the states did a 2 week vacation at the 'ring, rented a GT3 for the time and an instructor to teach him the track. He said it took him several days to fully memorize the track and get his times into a respectable level. Videos of the experience he showed me make me drool at the thought. He said he'll be back. Yes, big $, but worth every penny he said.

 

But that's the whole point of the ring. Very long, complex, almost intractable, blind corners, close trees. Old style racing course.

If you just want safe, fast driving, the country is covered with lots of great Autobahn that you don't even have to pay to use.

 

Not safer, it's just that your odds are better of not being hit by a woman texting on her phone...

I agree with your premise, though. Plenty of great tracks all over the world. I feel the biggest reason some go to the 'Ring is mainly for nostalgic reasons (or putting a frame of reference on endless conversations).

I think it definitely is on many people's to-do list. But I have a hard enough time perfecting a smaller 3 mile VIR...

 

Check out http://www.scuderia-hanseat.de/

I attended their course in 1993 with my first 911. Memories for a lifetime!