I did the Ring once about 6 years ago. While I was there one of the guys with us came off his GSXR1000 at over 100mph when he hit a damp patch at the top of the circuit. Apart from a minor ankle injury he was OK but his bike was a write off. Yet he managed to get a claim for it out of his insurance company because the Norschleife is a public road, albeit a toll road, but it wasn't specifically excluded from his policy. What is more remarkable is that he had done the same thing 4 years previously and managed to claim then too!
Im thinking to go, but definitely want to pick a time that isnt too busy. Dry would be good too, so if wet would just do the public roads around the ring, rather good from what I remember. Either way though..the oil/coolant on track is probably more worrying to me than some of the looneys. Kind of got used to missing them on some of the ride outs over the last decade and got used to riding around wreckage mid corner!!
The more time goes by the more I am convinced that the Nurburgring is the greatest track in the world. There is nothing that comes close to it anywhere. Even if you were able to do something like the Isle of Man TT course properly I dont think it would be anywhere near it as that is no where near as twisty. I find it difficult to see how the format could stay as it is now since it just seems to be far to manic with too many poorly prep'd cars and accidents closing the track all the time but if it has to change it will be an experience sorely missed. We're booked up for a trackday there in the cars at the end of April and I'm also itching to get the bike back out there. Can't resist posting my last adventure again; fast forward to 7'25'' for silly business:
At the moment the opening times have not been released. Most race events are on the calender already, but specific dates are tricky to 100% predict other than times like easter and other traditional holidays. Dates due out anytime now. As for the risks versus just having a trundle around the quieter the better !-) Yes the roads are quite good especially if you get away from the hustle of the track.
A reduced pace lap to sight the circuit can pay off. I would never go out on a bike and go quick, preferring to do a sighting/warm up for this reason.
^^^ that looked a bit scary, good save. Someone tried to knock me off a 636 a few years back with a gsxr1000, brings back memories of sliding metal, fairing pieces and swerving around obstacles on the road... Looked like a lot of cars on track there and some going at a decent pace at times.
I'm not making excuses for him but he was on his second lap and there had been a short short shower of rain at that point by the time he got round again.
The cars are generally comfortably faster than the bikes which is a shock for most people first time, certainly in the corners. Getting a Merc up your ass when you're cranked over (or not in my case here on my first visit in 2015) at the apex can be sobering.
Think my S1000r sport would have been the perfect tool for the job. Kind of wish had kept it, as it had the pace/top end. Though I did hit the rev limiter in top gear on a 'circuit' in the Spanish Pyrenees, probably the tow from the zzr1400 I was following at the time.
The fastest guy I know of that drives tourist sessions on a clear lap is capable of a 7'05" in his prepped gt3rs. There may be others out there and I'm sure there is. No bike has been pushed that quick so it's a case of "there is always someone faster but are they in front or behind you"
Nowt wrong with R4R, I sometimes instruct for them. So much choice there nowadays for rental companies. All offering different stuff for a growing market. But their swifts are still great fun.
No no, I referenced it because it sounds like some gay porn name. As in fact does the other one you mentioned: Need For Ring!
Just booked to do the Motorad two-day bikes-only course during the August bank holiday week. Expensive at circa €1200, but addictive. Its the only time I ride there now; public traffic is manic and anyway my insurer forbids public lapping.
