The NurburgRing
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NurburgRing Notes (opens in new tab/window - NB: FireFox users, older versions do not display the pages properly)
By Eddy Lambah-Stoate (CVAM)
Eddy attended the 2 day BMW course at the beginning of Sep2008 and has put together these extensive notes on the experience (9 pages of notes and circuit diagrams!). Download the PDF document version here

NurburgRing - A LAP WITH THE GODS! (opens in new tab/window)
By Neil Leigh (a Brit living near Spa in Belgium, Eddy's instructor for the NurburgRing trip above)

The BMW International Driving Course (opens in new tab/window)
By Jim McCarter (IAM examiner)
Each year BMW run an International Driving course at the world famous Nurburgring. It’s open to cars and bikes and is on the Nordschleife or north loop where Formula 1 races used to be held until 1976, when some bloke called Lauda had a bit of a crash. You might have seen it on television a while back when Jeremy Clarkson was seen off by a girlie in a van.

 

From Wikipedia: The Nürburgring, simply known as "The Ring" by enthusiasts, is a motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany. It was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel, which is about 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of Cologne, and 120 kilometres (75 mi) northwest of Frankfurt. Nicknamed The Green Hell by Jackie Stewart, it is widely considered the toughest, most dangerous and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world. 

The Nordschleife has remained a one-way, public toll-road for nearly 80 years except when it is closed off for testing purposes, training lessons or racing events. Since its opening in 1927, the track has been used by the public for the so-called "Touristenfahrten", i.e. to anyone with a road legal car or motorcycle, as well as tour buses, motor homes or cars with trailers. It is opened mainly on Sundays, but also on many Saturdays and weekday evenings. During the winter months, depending on weather conditions and maintenance work, the track may be closed for weeks.		 NurburgRing circuit route map
During Touristenfahrten sessions, German road law (StVO) applies despite a common misconception assuming it is derestricted like in races. There is no general speed limit, however speed limits exist in certain areas in order to reduce noise and risks. As on public roads, passing on the right is prohibited, and the police take an extremely dim view of poor driving as they prosecute offenders with the aid of helicopters. The cost for driving a single lap of the Nordschleife is €21 for each car or motorcycle. Multi-lap tickets can be purchased for a lower per-lap price, such as 4 laps at a cost of €70 (€17.50 per lap). Additional multi-lap prices are 8 laps for €135, 15 laps for €235, or 25 laps for €370. An annual ticket with unlimited laps, valid from January to December, can be purchased for €995. All prices are current for the 2008 calendar year, and include VAT.

This Nürburgring version is a popular attraction for many driving and riding enthusiasts from all over the world, partly because of its history and the considerable challenge it still provides. The lack of oncoming traffic and intersections sets it apart from regular roads, and the absence of a blanket speed limit makes it an additional attraction mainly for foreigners.

Normal ticket buyers on these tourist days cannot quite complete a full lap of the 20.8 km (13 mile) Nordschleife, which is bypassing the modern GP-Strecke, as they are required to slow down and pass through a 200-metre (220 yd) "pit lane" section where the toll gates are installed. Since 2006, season ticket holders only can pass mobile toll gates on the track itself, in order to reduce the length of queues at the fixed barriers.


 

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