| NURBURGRING - A BRIEF HISTORY | | | | Once your lap is completed you will be filtered off |
| The original 27-mile long Nurburgring racetrack was | | | | the track and back into the start area (even if you |
| completed in 1927 and immediately became famous | | | | have a multi-lap ticket). You must go through the |
| (some might say infamous) around the world. Over | | | | barriers again for each lap you do, but you don’t |
| time various changes were made to the circuit but it | | | | have to start another lap immediately. If you wish, |
| always remained challenging and very long. However, | | | | you can park your bike, relax and take on some |
| as the decades past, safety became more and more | | | | refreshments, then start again. |
| of an issue for riders and drivers. The lack of run-off | | | | Your plastic, credit card style ticket, can also be |
| areas and bumpy, uneven corners were just two | | | | loaded with money to pay for food and drinks at the |
| concerns that were raised. Jackie Stewart is famed | | | | Nordschleife cafe, or any of the other attractions |
| for calling the circuit "The Green Hell", a reference to | | | | around the Nürburgring complex. You even get to |
| its scenic location and dangerous and demanding | | | | keep the card as a souvenir! |
| nature. Growing concerns finally reached their peak | | | | RIDING THE CIRCUIT & SAFETY |
| after Niki Lauda's horrific crash in 1976 when he was | | | | INFORMATION |
| severely burned during a Formula 1 race. | | | | The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is a demanding 13-mile |
| This marked the end of Formula 1 races at the old | | | | long circuit. Officially the track has 73 bends. Some of |
| circuit, but the German motorcycle Grand Prix | | | | these bends are ‘blind’ and some have an |
| continued to be held there until 1980, when that too | | | | uneven or bumpy road surface. Enjoy the |
| was finally withdrawn for safety reasons. Changes | | | | Nürburgring experience, but please ensure you and |
| needed to be made. | | | | your motorcycle come away in one piece. |
| A completely new 3.2-mile long racetrack was | | | | My advice for first-timers is to think of the circuit as |
| constructed and eventually opened in 1984. This new | | | | a fast road ride and not a racetrack! |
| circuit marked the return of Grand Prix racing to the | | | | The Nordschleife is classed as a one-way public toll |
| Nurburgring. | | | | road without speed limits (except on approach to the |
| The 13-mile long Nurburgring-Nordschleife (North | | | | entrance and exit). Officially vehicles must be 100% |
| Loop) was formed when the old track was split up. | | | | road legal and normal German road traffic law applies. |
| The Nordschleife still occasionally hosts competitive | | | | Take your all your vehicle’s documents, your |
| motorsport, such as touring car racing, but top-level | | | | Driving Licence and your Passport. You probably |
| events are now reserved for the new circuit. Vehicle | | | | won’t be asked to produce these documents, |
| manufacturers, including BMW and Porsche, hire the | | | | but it’s a legal requirement to carry them when |
| Nordschleife for testing. Motorcycle and car clubs can | | | | riding in Germany, even on normal public roads. |
| also hire the circuit. It's probably most famous for its | | | | You must wear full protective clothing (not |
| public access sessions, known as 'Touristenfahrten' | | | | necessarily leather). Suitable boots, gloves and |
| (Tourist Driving). | | | | jackets designed for motorcycle use will be fine (no |
| THE BASICS | | | | jeans, t-shirts or trainers). Wear a crash helmet that |
| If you want to experience the thrill of riding the | | | | has a visor or a crash helmet with goggles. |
| Nordschleife yourself, there's some essential | | | | Your motorcycle must be road worthy and have rear |
| information that will make the whole adventure more | | | | view mirrors on both sides. Also make sure your |
| enjoyable. | | | | tyres are in good condition and have plenty of tread |
| First of all, check the Nordschleife opening times | | | | left (if you're a hard rider, and do several 13-mile long |
| before planning your trip. The last thing you want to | | | | laps, you could end up with no rubber for your return |
| do is turn up to find you've wasted your time and | | | | journey). Slick tyres are forbidden. |
| money. Opening times can be found on the | | | | Officially there's a noise limit of 95 decibels for all |
| Nurburgring's own website ( Times can vary and on | | | | vehicles. This can be measured at trackside or by |
| some days the circuit is completely closed, so | | | | officials making spot checks. Despite this rule, many |
| beware. | | | | people ride or drive the circuit with very loud exhaust |
| The Nurburgring is approximately 55 miles south of | | | | systems. In my experience it's highly unlikely you'll be |
| Cologne (Köln) and 100 miles west of Frankfurt. The | | | | refused entry for this reason. |
| nearest large city is Koblenz (about 40 miles away). | | | | The taking of photos or videos while riding the |
| The A61, A1 and A48 autobahns all pass within 15 | | | | Nürburgring-Nordschleife is now prohibited. Photos |
| miles or so of the track. Alternatively you may want | | | | and videos can be taken from various viewing areas |
| to take the scenic route. The Nurburgring lies in the | | | | outside of the track boundaries. |
| heart of the Eifel region, well known for great | | | | Store the Nürburgring-Nordschleife emergency |
| scenery and fantastic biking roads. | | | | telephone number on your mobile phone before you |
| Google Maps, or something similar, is ideal for helping | | | | start your lap: 0049 8000 302 112 |
| with your route plan. While you're doing that you can | | | | If you see a plain yellow flag being waved by |
| zoom in on the Nurburgring complex and see the | | | | trackside officials this means ‘danger ahead, no |
| layout. Although the Nurburgring is well sign posted | | | | overtaking’. Approach and pass the danger zone |
| and isn't that difficult to find, the whole complex | | | | cautiously and at a speed appropriate to the situation |
| covers a large area. The whereabouts of the | | | | (max. 50 kph / 31 mph). |
| Nordschleife entrance isn't always obvious. | | | | If you see a yellow flag with vertical red stripes |
| The location of the entrance is on the L93 road, at | | | | being waved by trackside officials this means ‘oil |
| the following GPS co-ordinates: 50.34667 N 6.96583 | | | | or other fluids on the track, no overtaking’. Slow |
| E. You can type these co-ordinates into Google Maps | | | | down and proceed with caution (max. 50 kph / 31 |
| to see exactly where it is, or load them on your own | | | | mph). |
| satellite navigation system, if you have one. | | | | Never overtake a safety car when its roof mounted |
| There are several free viewing areas at the | | | | yellow lights are flashing. Follow at a safe distance |
| trackside. One of the more popular is at the | | | | until the lights are switched off or the safety car |
| Brunnchen bend on the B412 road, GPS location: | | | | leaves the track. |
| 50.37028 N 7.00833 E. At Brunnchen there’s a | | | | Overtaking on the right is forbidden. Overtake on the |
| large un-surfaced parking area, but few other | | | | left (indicate first to let others know your intensions). |
| comforts. | | | | Always be aware that you may encounter much |
| Another interesting viewing area is at the Breidscheid | | | | slower moving vehicles (anything from camper vans |
| bend on the B257 road, GPS location: 50.37694 N | | | | to tourist coaches use the track). |
| 6.95028 E. At Breidscheid there's a bridge that takes | | | | Check your mirrors for fast moving vehicles |
| the circuit over the B257, the viewing area is next to | | | | approaching from behind, if it's faster than you, move |
| this bridge (you walk up a flight of stairs to reach the | | | | to the right and let it past (bear in mind that some |
| track). Parking is available at a cafe about 100 yards | | | | people are regular ‘ringers’, there’s |
| away. | | | | always likely to be someone faster than you). |
| If you need to top up with fuel there are several | | | | Don't go crazy on your first few laps. It can take |
| petrol/gas stations in the local area that also sell a | | | | many laps for a good rider to learn the circuit; |
| range of Nurburgring souvenirs. | | | | don’t think you’re a bad rider because other |
| WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE | | | | people pass you. Ride at your own pace. |
| NORDSCHLEIFE | | | | Avoid the temptation to explore the limits of your |
| Parking is to the left-hand side of the Nordschleife | | | | machine. If riding with a pillion passenger allow an |
| main gate entrance. Refreshments are available at | | | | extra safety margin. Don't put pressure on yourself |
| the Nordschleife cafe next to the parking area. | | | | by trying to impress your friends or by timing your |
| Souvenirs are also available from a shop opposite the | | | | lap. |
| cafe. | | | | In case of a breakdown stop your motorcycle at a |
| The ticket office is to the right-hand side of the main | | | | safe place on the grass verge next to the track. |
| gate. You can purchase laps at anytime during | | | | Stand behind the safety barrier and call the |
| opening hours (prices are shown outside the ticket | | | | emergency number for assistance. There's a charge |
| office). Most staff speak very good English. At the | | | | for removing your vehicle from the track. |
| time of writing 1 lap costs 23 Euros. There are | | | | In the event of an accident anyone involved, and any |
| reductions if you chose to ride more than 4 laps. | | | | witnesses, must stop to offer assistance. Call the |
| The whole area is about the size of a football pitch. | | | | Nürburgring-Nordschleife emergency telephone |
| This means that everything can be found easily. | | | | number. |
| When you’re ready to start your lap, line up in | | | | If you’re found to be at fault in an accident, |
| front of the barriers next to the ticket office. | | | | prosecutions and fines may follow. You may also be |
| There are 4 lanes, the 2 middle lanes are for | | | | liable for any costs incurred for track repairs and |
| motorcycles and have motorcycle symbols painted | | | | track closures. |
| on the road surface. | | | | Anyone found not complying with the |
| Your ticket will be a plastic card (the same size as a | | | | Nürburgring-Nordschleife rules can be banned from |
| credit card). Once you arrive at the barrier machine | | | | riding on the track. |
| you place this card against a flat sensor (the sensor | | | | WARNING |
| has an outline the same shape as your card) the | | | | It’s unlikely your Motorcycle Insurance, European |
| barrier will then rise, and away you go. There are | | | | Breakdown Insurance and Personnel Travel Insurance |
| normally staff at the barriers in case anyone has a | | | | will cover you to ride the Nurburbring - Nordschleife. |
| problem. The card is retained by you and can be | | | | Hire companies are also unlikely to permit the use of |
| loaded with extra laps at anytime. | | | | their vehicles on the Nordschleife. |
| There is a speed limit of 30 kph (19 mph) for the | | | | REMEMBER: IF YOU CHOOSE TO RIDE THE |
| first 300 metres after the barriers. | | | | NÜRBURGRING-NORDSCHLEIFE, YOU DO SO AT |
| There is a similar speed limit on return to the start | | | | YOUR OWN RISK. |
| area after completion of your lap. | | | | |