I am taking my better half to Spa for her birthday this year and whilst we’re there i’m hoping to take my Rocketeer on the Nurburgring at there is a public session from 6 - 730pm.
I understand you can’t book ahead and you just turn up. However how does that work? Is it first come first served? Will there be a massive queue to get on the track if I turn up at 6? Should I turn up earlier? So many questions.
Would be a huge shame (as its a bucket list activity) if I got there and then could not get on track.
It doesn’t specifically mention waiting times etc - and on other days ive looked at the tourist hours are much longer, often whole days. As its only open for 90 mins on the day I want to go and that day happens to be a Friday i’m imagining it might be quite busy.
You can have well over 150 cars on track at once, there is not going to be an issue. Some times there is some queuing and obviously if there is a track closure.
It depends when you want to go and where, you can drive on the Nürburgring and the Nürburgring GP course. Its not always open and available to drive (as well as whether there may be an incident and its temporarily shut)
if its the Nürburgring, this is the schedule. If its wet IMHO don’t bother its very slippery.
Some FAQ you will find an answer to most questions you have
A new element of this year it the online account. You can buy prepaid tokens that can be used towards laps - instead of queuing up and buying single use tickets. TBH I’m not even sure if the latter is still available - I am going in August and have gone through the process so you can ask me any questions you may have.
Been there many, many times. There will be queues at the very beginning, but aim for around 30 mins after opening and then things calm down and the queue is usually a couple of minutes. The only issue is “offs” and the inevitable track closure due to that.
There is a nice area to sit and wait if its busy and lots of “metal eye candy” to admire while you do. Make sure you aim for the main entrance (What Three Words reference: ///transparent.expectation.earthworms) and not the Adenau entrance. Just a tip: If you can, aim to approach from the “Hauptstrabe” road as the its the quieter approach and during busy times they get priority on the roundabout to clear the road for the residents
EDIT: As it will be your first time, you will have to go purchase you lap ticket so will probably be better off aiming for the car park opposite the entrance as this is where the ticket “hut” was located this summer (What Three Words: sapping.prestigious.heroism (apt three words them!))
oh and don’t try and race just take your time or you wont appreciate the experience, and there lies danger…
Just go and enjoy the drive, there are a couple of corners that will catch you out if you push it on you first lap. Always remember that round the next corner could be a coach full of people and you will suddenly not have much space.
You will be surprised how much more power you wish you had on some sections and how much more brakes and tyres on others. The weather can also be very varied at different parts of the circuit.
Remember it was built as a test track and so it puts driver and the car though its paces. If in doubt wear brown corduroy trousers or drive a little slower.
Although i’m aware that cometh the hour I might be more tempted to go a little faster, I think i’ll be alright.
Like with wearing clipless pedals, its probably not the first time that you get unstuck, it’s the second and third time when you’re slightly less hyperaware that you fall off your bike an a junction
Your rear view mirror is your friend.
Always make sure you know whats coming up behind you, not to the point you miss where your going but there are people on there in all types of cars that know it like the back of their hand and they literally appear from nowhere.
So be prepared to move over and let them past.
Its a great track experience and im sure you will love it.
Enjoy.
