[coloradocab]

Just got back from driving the Nordscheife at Nurburgring.

I honestly don't know how to put it into words. Experience of a lifetime would be a start, I guess.

First got to see some interesting testing by the manufacturers before the track opened to the public. Some very interesting vehicles there...some disguised, some not. All being driven very close to the limit, and sometimes over it. Mostly German cars, but I did see a Range Rover of some sort (a new model, I guess) literally on two wheels.

The track is beyond description. Over 20km in length, over 70 turns, you know the details. The elevation changes are incredible, as are a couple of points where the car will get extremely light, amazing on-camber corners, blind corners, etc. All the competitive driving I've done was just sort of a prelude to this. Not sure I'll ever drive a better racetrack...I would guess not.

I rented a track-prepared Suzuki Swift from an outfit right by the Breidscheid entrance, which believe it or not, was amazing. Hate to say it, but I left a bunch of Porsches in the dust (including a Turbo), which tells you not everyone there knows how to drive on a track near the limits. It probably helped that my car was so nicely set up. Not that I timed myself (illegal), but I put down a couple of laps in the +/- 9:00 range (timing on a watch, so not precise). Was told the car was capable of a 8:40 in experienced hands, and I believe it.

Witnessed one bad looking accident, with what looked like a Lotus Exige and three bikes in a gravel trap. On the lighter side, two tour buses were on track as well, and seeing a bunch of folks with their faces up against the rear windows watching as I went past was pretty funny.

Those of you who live in Germany are incredibly lucky to have this. Anyone else who gets the chance, and is an experienced racer or track driver, DO IT! Photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/lennonphoto/20...feat=directlink. If anyone can identify any of the test cars I got photos of (unfortunately low res from my phone), let me know and I'll update the captions.

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[Mark]

Very cool.

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[benspeeder]

Badass looking little Suzuki!

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[rhudeboye]

One day my friend. One day...

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80214:date=Sep 18 2009, 05:10 AM:name=benspeeder)-->QUOTE (benspeeder @ Sep 18 2009, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Badass looking little Suzuki!<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You'd be shocked how well it drove. I was thinking an underpowered little car would be a great intro to it, but the thing absolutely flew, and its balance was terrific! Light cars are so much fun. I suspect the guy in the 996 Turbo I blew away was more than a little ticked off from the way he drove into the toll area later.

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[rhudeboye]

My guesses
pic 24 Lambo Gallardo
Pic 22 Maserati GT
Pic 20 Benz

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[Cloud9...68]

I can only imagine what an incredible experience driving the Nordscheife must be. My big fear would be with my atrocious sense of direction, I would be constantly "lost," no matter how many months in advance I would study vidoes of the track. On such a complicated track, how were you able to stay on the line? Or did you just wing it?

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[tom968]

Chris, approximately how much does it cost to rent
the Suzuki?

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80242:date=Sep 18 2009, 05:09 PM:name=Cloud9...68)-->QUOTE (Cloud9...68 @ Sep 18 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I can only imagine what an incredible experience driving the Nordscheife must be. My big fear would be with my atrocious sense of direction, I would be constantly "lost," no matter how many months in advance I would study vidoes of the track. On such a complicated track, how were you able to stay on the line? Or did you just wing it?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I didn't find it too bad. I've had to learn other (albeit much smaller) tracks quickly before, so I knew what to expect, to a certain degree.

I was able to improvise a pretty decent line through most of the 73 corners, but my sense of direction is pretty good. There was one leading into a left-right sequence at the end of a high speed straight (200+ kph) that was blind and caught me on every lap but one. Fortunately, the Suzuki had excellent brakes, and I was able to avoid shooting off the end, and actually made the turn. I guess it varies person to person. I really haven't watched videos of the track to any great degree (may have seen some years ago).

The key (like autocrossing) was to take the first lap at about 80% to properly familiarize myself with the circuit, then go all out from that point on. The track definitely has a flow to it, like most, which makes it easier. Also, the fact that probably half the corners were absolutely flat out (if taken right) helped as well.

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80242:date=Sep 18 2009, 05:09 PM:name=Cloud9...68)-->QUOTE (Cloud9...68 @ Sep 18 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I can only imagine what an incredible experience driving the Nordscheife must be. My big fear would be with my atrocious sense of direction, I would be constantly "lost," no matter how many months in advance I would study vidoes of the track. On such a complicated track, how were you able to stay on the line? Or did you just wing it?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I didn't find it too bad. I've had to learn other (albeit much smaller) tracks quickly before, so I knew what to expect, to a certain degree.

I was able to improvise a pretty decent line through most of the 73 corners, but my sense of direction is pretty good. There was one leading into a left-right sequence at the end of a high speed straight (200+ kph) that was blind and caught me on every lap but one. Fortunately, the Suzuki had excellent brakes, and I was able to avoid shooting off the end, and actually made the turn. I guess it varies person to person. I really haven't watched videos of the track to any great degree (may have seen some years ago).

The key (like autocrossing) was to take the first lap at about 80% to properly familiarize myself with the circuit, then go all out from that point on. The track definitely has a flow to it, like most, which makes it easier. Also, the fact that probably half the corners were absolutely flat out (if taken right) helped as well.

<!--quoteo(post=80252:date=Sep 19 2009, 12:25 AM:name=tom968)-->QUOTE (tom968 @ Sep 19 2009, 12:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Chris, approximately how much does it cost to rent
the Suzuki?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It was 149 Euro for the hour or so I had it. Plus, I had to fill it back up with gas (I think I burned about $60 worth of it, if I'm remembering correctly).

The lapping ticket was 75 Euro for 4.5 laps.

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[Cloud9...68]

How much racing or track driving had you done before your trip to the Nordscheife?

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80265:date=Sep 19 2009, 01:17 PM:name=Cloud9...68)-->QUOTE (Cloud9...68 @ Sep 19 2009, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->How much racing or track driving had you done before your trip to the Nordscheife?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nine years so far of track driving. I'm a PCA Driving Instructor as well. So, plenty of experience. Of course, I am still learning every lap I drive, and getting better (and faster) every year. All this helped enormously at the Nordschleife, but there were plenty of folks out there with really hot cars who had no idea where the limit was, or simply didn't know how to drive a car quickly around a racetrack. At the same time, lots of folks were out there who knew exactly what they were doing as well. An interesting mix.

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[Cloud9...68]

Sounds like you're a very seasoned and expert driver, and I'm sure that served you very well at the Nordschleife. What an incredible experience it must have been to drive that hallowed track. One you'll never forget, I'm sure.

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[ds968]

Every time I try to post a reply to this, I have I wipe the saliva from drooling all over the keyboard while reading about it and looking at the photos,
and I manage to delete the intended post in the process.. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
I MUST put this on my to do list - what a fantastic course, what an experience it must be ! Reasonable price as well, but of course the flight and other related costs getting there from the U.S. makes it quite a bit more expensive. Still.. someday.. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80274:date=Sep 19 2009, 04:26 PM:name=Cloud9...68)-->QUOTE (Cloud9...68 @ Sep 19 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Sounds like you're a very seasoned and expert driver, and I'm sure that served you very well at the Nordschleife. What an incredible experience it must have been to drive that hallowed track. One you'll never forget, I'm sure.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It was the ultimate track experience. Only a few days removed from it, I can't wait until my next opportunity. Seems to me a great plan would be to spend a few days in the area, doing maybe 10 laps per day. That would be an epic trip.

I can't imagine I'll ever drive a better, more enjoyable, or more challenging track. It's a cliche, but the phrase "it just doesn't get any better than this" applies, I think.

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[Porsche968CS]

The Nordscheife is great! I've been there a couple of times with my 968s. Did you notice that there are a lot of hobby photographers taking pictures? You can probably find yourself racing on some of the numerous picture sites available on the web.

I’ve you like I can try to dig up some websites for you. Unfortunately I can only find one in my bookmarks at the moment; http://www.nordschleifenbilder.de/go/index.php?cat=4.

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[rxter]

Pic #24 is a McLaren. Saw this one in a recent MotorTrend.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_ne...rari/index.html

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80288:date=Sep 20 2009, 04:59 AM:name=rxter)-->QUOTE (rxter @ Sep 20 2009, 04:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Pic #24 is a McLaren. Saw this one in a recent MotorTrend.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_ne...rari/index.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well done! That explains why it sounded very much like a high revving racecar. Thanks!

Any other guesses on photos 16, 18, 21, and 23?

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[coloradocab]

<!--quoteo(post=80287:date=Sep 20 2009, 02:54 AM:name=Porsche968CS)-->QUOTE (Porsche968CS @ Sep 20 2009, 02:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->The Nordscheife is great! I've been there a couple of times with my 968s. Did you notice that there are a lot of hobby photographers taking pictures? You can probably find yourself racing on some of the numerous picture sites available on the web.

I’ve you like I can try to dig up some websites for you. Unfortunately I can only find one in my bookmarks at the moment; http://www.nordschleifenbilder.de/go/index.php?cat=4.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Please do dig up some of these websites...would be great to find a photo of me zipping around. I did notice lots of people in the various spectator areas as I was going around...going too fast to notice if they were taking photos or not, but I'm guessing some were.

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[Ben_968CS]

This weekend, from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon: long weekend at the Nordschleife. Incredible experience, what a roller coaster! And only about 200 miles east of Amsterdam... A few pics of my black street 968CS, made during my last visit in September

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