[XKaLiBaR]

i have just been informed that Koblenz is upto 45 minutes away from the ring. Isnt that a bit far to travel everyday?

[dxb335d]

Baris mate, i told you on the phone its approx half hour if driven quickly. Personally i think its the best location, cars are safer there from theives and also car gets plenty of time to warm up before getting hammered around the ring?!

Booked our room yet mate?

[neo871]

since there's a biiiiig chance that I will join you for this trip (which makes me unimaginably excited), may I ask why do you say that there are thieves around the Ring (Carlos)?

[dxb335d]

There is not mate, but whereever there Are esxpensive cars there is a risk.

If were staying 30-40mins away and with secure underground parkign surely thats better all round.

[neo871]

got that....
are there any important things, besides booking hotel, that i should know about before leaving?

should I reserve the ticket online or I can easily get it there...?

is worth booking a ringtaxi (M5)?

what time does the ring open for us on Saturday and Sunday?

[dxb335d]

doubt you will get to book ring taxi, 6-7months advance booking i believe.

Bring a helmet, and you buy your laps on the day mate.

Tony has the opening times for the days were going, can you post em up on his latest page tone pls?

[neo871]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Bring a helmet, and you buy your laps on the day mate.

i don't have a helmet, can i rent one?
do they allow 2 passenger/car on the ring?

[Hoops]

You dont have to wear a helmet, its not compulsory, just advisory. I always take a helmet but dont always wear one. Yes you can take passengers on the Ring - dont forget its not a track its actually in part a public road!!

[dxb335d]

Thats what its so fackin dangerous.

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Thats what its so fackin dangerous.

You said it kiddo - but then thats why we all LOVE it so much!!!

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by XKaLiBaR

i have just been informed that Koblenz is upto 45 minutes away from the ring. Isnt that a bit far to travel everyday?

I do the journey from the hotel to the 'Ring in about 25 minutes... and the drive is great - fast autobahn, lovely mountain roads, and you get the chance to warm the car up properly, and not just the engine... tyres, gearbox, brakes... you also get the chance to see if there are any problems with your car in terms of handling balance, steering geometry etc etc...

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by neo871

got that....
are there any important things, besides booking hotel, that i should know about before leaving?

should I reserve the ticket online or I can easily get it there...?

is worth booking a ringtaxi (M5)?

what time does the ring open for us on Saturday and Sunday?

I'm going to post a list of things that need/don't need to be done... watch this space!

And incidentally, if you are going to come along, get your skates on as the hotel is booking up very very fast and the prices increasing everyday, as some members have already found out to their cost!!

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

I do the journey from the hotel to the 'Ring in about 25 minutes... and the drive is great - fast autobahn, lovely mountain roads, and you get the chance to warm the car up properly, and not just the engine... tyres, gearbox, brakes... you also get the chance to see if there are any problems with your car in terms of handling balance, steering geometry etc etc...

It also gives you another half hour to sober up after the night before

[Hoops]

Shame youre not coming on this trip Paul.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Shame youre not coming on this trip Paul.

Ditto! Sure you can't sneak away??

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Ditto! Sure you can't sneak away??

It's not totally out the question... just trying to organise a trip a bit later in the year when other friends want to go.

I tested the water with the missus and it's possible... hmmmmmm

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by biscuits

It's not totally out the question... just trying to organise a trip a bit later in the year when other friends want to go.

I tested the water with the missus and it's possible... hmmmmmm

C'mon, just say sod it and join in... it'll be a great laugh as the guys who are going will be huge comedy value. Eurotunnel tickets still available, hotel is still available too... but get your skates on!!!


Tone

[XKaLiBaR]

tried to book the eurotunnel, but only gives me options like 8-10pm, not 8:50. What time have you guys booked train for the return journey?

[dxb335d]

2020 on tuesday.

It will come up with a time to choose between 8-10 once you have gone into the next stage.

[Hoops]

Baron - im heading back on sunday late afternoon - ive booked a 10.30pm train i think. Have you sorted your love shack out yet for you and Carlos???

[E92Fan]

Right then - UPDATE

So, depart Blighty on the Friday, 15th May... returning, well, whenever you guys want to return...! I'm coming back on the Tuesday...

Eurotunnel train at 8:50am, getting in at 10:25 local time - we'll be at the hotel by about 2:30pm... Book Eurotunnel Here

Whoever's coming, book your tickets now, as they will start going up in price!!

And I'm staying at the Mercure Hotel in Koblenz - click on the link to make your reservations!

Let me know if you're coming
Let me know once you've booked your Eurotunnel
Let me know if you're staying in Koblenz, or elsewhere...





Tony (Me) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Carl (DXB) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Baris (Xkalibar) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Floyd (SoYank) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Tim (DerRing) - Booked Mercure Hotel
Jan (Ramppo) - Booked Mercure Hotel
Steve (bmwbailey) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Steve A (SteveA) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel
Will (Willhollin) - Booked Eurotunnel & Mercure Hotel


Also we have a few hopefully catching up along the way -
Andrew (Palmball), MrFocusRS (FRS3052) & a couple of others.


Tim & Jan will be meeting us at the 'Ring on Friday afternoon (Tim is coming from Prague, and Jan will be on his way back to Finland from Croatia )

*** Those coming from England and booked on the 8:50am should aim to meet at the Eurotunnel terminal no later than 8am ***



A few things people have asked me about...

• Those people who are meeting at my house first on Friday morning before heading down to Folkestone, need to be at mine for 6:30am

• You will need a few things in your car - a flourescent jacket (for driving in France), a spare set of bulbs, warning triangle, and fire extinguisher. You should also make sure you have your European breakdown service up to date (BMW Emergency Services in most cases)

• You MUST bring your UK driving licence, V5 document and insurance documents (photocopies are fine for the last two)

• Don't forget to bring the credit/debit card you used to book the Eurotunnel tickets with - the auto ticket printing machines need that card to print the boarding pass

• Helmets - these aren't compulsory, but are advisable. However, there are no helmets on site to hire, so you'll have to bring your own, or buy one when you're there (although that will be more expensive)

• 'Ring tickets - these are available on site from the ticket hut. Ticket costs vary, depending on how many you buy... basically, the more the cheaper, up to the €995 Unlimited Annual Pass.
  
  1 lap = €23
  4 laps = €76
  8 laps = €146
  15 laps = €251
  25 laps = €391

• The 'Ring Taxi (in a BMW M5) is normally booked five or six months in advance. However there are always possibilities for cancellations or last-minute spaces. If you want to try your luck at booking a 'Ring Taxi, give the booking hotline a call on +49 26 91 93 20 20

• The emergency Nurburgring telephone number is 08000 302112 when dialled from Germany. Store this in your phone, just in case!

• The Nurburgring runs as an open "Tourist Day" - it is not a dedicated track day, so you will see things like coaches and London taxis (!) going around to sightseeing trips. You are allowed to take passengers in your car when going around the 'Ring

• Rules - someone has asked about overtaking rules, and other general instructions. I'm not teaching people to suck eggs, but for newbies to the track, it's a very valid question. Like any other track day, being aware of your surroundings and the other cars and motorbikes around you is the key to staying safe and out of the Armco. Overtaking is ONLY done on the left - if a car is coming close behind you, indicate to the RIGHT and move your car to the RIGHT hand side of the track, to allow the other car to pass safely. If you want to overtake someone else and they are not moving out of the way, do NOT start flashing your headlights as the marshals take a very dim view of this. NEVER stop your car on the track. Yellow flags and red flags are self explanatory - no overtaking under yellow and drive with caution at a slow speed... red flag means circuit is closed and complete the lap. Blue flag means a car is wanting to overtake you

• Video cameras are NOT allowed to be mounted in or on your car when driving around the 'Ring. If the marshals see a camera, at best you'll be told to take it down, or at worst you'll be sent back to the car park!

• The 'Ring is open to the public on -
  Friday 15 May from 14:15 - 19:30
  Saturday 16 May from 10:00 - 19:30
  Sunday 17 May from 08:00 - 19:30
  Monday 18 May from 17:15 - 19:30

• The Mercure Hotel in Koblenz is about a 25 minute drive away from the 'Ring. Whilst it may seem far to travel everyday, it is actually a very good way of warming up your car, making sure everything is working as it should be, the tyres are ok etc etc. If there is a need for mechanical work to be done on your car, we have access to top-notch race mechanics who can do anything from a brake bleed to a full stripdown and rebuild (labour costs are a lot less than the UK!)

• There's a petrol station just 5 minutes off the 'Ring - so fret ye not if you start running out of fuel (you will!)

• If you want to setup a professional photoshoot to get amazing high-res photographs of your car going around the 'Ring, you need to contact Jochen Van Cauwenberge, who is the guy behind the website www.frozenspeed.com - brilliant photographer, very very good friend of my brother, and if you tell him that you're coming to the 'Ring with me, Tony, he'll sort you out a good deal. If a few of you want to club together and save a few Euros, he's up for doing a package deal too. Look him up on the website and send him an email at jochen@frozenspeed.com I have told him already that he might receive a couple of enquiries

• The official website for the Nurburgring is www.nuerburgring.de

And that's all I can think of... any other questions, just ask and I'll try to answer!





Pictures courtesy of Jochen@Frozenspeed.com

[Ramppo]

Tony, just to be sure.
You said that "Video cameras are NOT allowed to be mounted in or on your car when driving around the 'Ring." does this mean that all filming in the car is not allowed while driveing on the ring?