andersonracing.org.uk - The Nurburgring

The Nordschleife or North Loop is situated around the beautiful Eifel Mountains and has more than 300 meters or 1000 feet elevation changes from the highest to the lowest points.

Jackie Stewart nicknamed the old track "The Green Hell," and it is widely considered to be the most demanding and difficult purpose-built racing circuit in the world, words cannot begin to describe it, so I'm not even going to try.

I will say, take instruction, you won't remember it all but I always make sure my clients take away some key points on the first visit which will pay dividends on subsequent excursions.

Although I had driven many laps before I competed in my first VLN race, it only really came together in my first 24 hour race.

Racing the Green Hell in the day light is one thing but in the dark is quite another, the cars with the brightest lights when coming up from behind were most intimadating, and some times not as fast as at first it seemed. The rear window is usually all but blanked out to help prevent from becoming blind, but it is important to have the best lights available if as the driver you want to see where to go.  

Don't think you have to have a fast car especially for the first visit, (but it's nice) some down hill sections an excess of power is not a help when learning, when you get to know the Nordschleife on the up hill and fast sections there is never enough power.

If you are serious about learning where the track goes even assuming you already have track skills, laps are what you need. Lap times are unlikley to be as low as the numbers you hear banded about and a day driving around the Nordschleife (20.8 km / 12.9 miles) is as much brain power as it is phsysical. In the 24 hour races the lap includes the Grand Prix Circuit (5.148 km  / 3.199 miles).  - where at least you can relax a little. The GP and Nordchhleife together are a mind numbing 25.948 km or 16.099 miles. 

Like all other circuits I can give you exact pointers where and what to aim for, trees (not literally) drains, posts, tarmac changes etc. Remembering it all is the hard bit and at first it's easy to get mixed up where you are, some corners do look alike.

It was the Nurburgring that really made me think I was in with the best of them and have been lucky enough to have competed in many VLN 4 and 6 hour races, but the 24 hour races are the eye opener and I have been privileged to have competed in 6 of them, maybe not in the fastest class but we had some success and a whole heap of fun.

I have been instructing at the Ring for many years, initially for Wheeltorque and latterly RMA and too many individuals to name.

I recommend driving the Nordschleife on one of the many closed to the public track days, rather than the public track days, they attract many types of vehicle, bike, busses and various cars from standard to modified. As you can imagine they tend to get very busy especially at holiday times.

Car hire, accommodation, and the good places to eat out are all just part of the service, hire cars for the Nordschleife range from a basic road car to a mildly modified saloon or sports car to a full blown race car prepared for the daunting 24 hour race. Accommodation ranges from bed and breakfast in close by villages to a house in the country for 6 or more persons to share. Eating out or in? the choice is bound to suit everyone in quality and pocket.

For track dates, the availability of car hire, accommodation, help and advise or futher information on any of the above please call: +44 (0) 7778 328 348.

Happy track days - Stuart Anderson.