Touristenfahrten
Dubbed the green hell by Sir Jackie Stewart, the Nurburgring is an automotive Mecca (and well worth a pilgrimage). Unlike any other race track in the world, the Nurburgring’s north loop (Nordschleife) is imposing, demanding, dangerous, and oddly available.
The track persists as the yardstick for sports cars the world over (seen the Cadillac CTS-V commercial lately?) but most summer evenings anonymous sightseers have the option to take a self-guided “tour” for about $35 per 12.9 mile lap. As one of those undistinguished tourists, I can attest that 12.9 miles on the ‘ring is allthe thrill that you can handle and probably then some. Aside from major car rental companies who anecdotally monitor the ‘ring to discourage tourists from abusing their fleet vehicles, the track is run what you, um brung…just don’t pass on the right. The accessibility (and with it, the responsibility for vehicular efficiency) is Teutonic – we all know that this wouldn’t work stateside. The ‘ring is and will always be singular.
I hear that there is an amusement park and macho gift shop in the works at the GP course on the south side of the track. Time will tell, but I’m hoping that this net-induced fame doesn’t sully its austere appeal.
Editor’s note: During my two-day fall camping trip, enjoy this guest contribution by my friend and sometime car-adventure-partner-in-crime Aaron!
This should be on every driving enthusiast’s bucket list.
Top Gear (UK) has a couple episodes where they use the Nurburgring to ring out a diesel powered Jag, among other things. It really is an eye opening experience to see them as one of the general public who are allowed to ‘tour’ the ring on a regular basis and observe all that goes on there. As a side note, I can’t imagine having to learn to drive such a course at speed…the VIR full course loop is quite enough for me to tackle, thankyouverymuch.
(Hi, Joel! We missed you!)
I can’t imagine learning the ‘Ring either. I mean, there are people who spend their whole lives learning the nuances of the corners and carousels. Fortunately, mere mortals like myself have GT5 and Forza to prep us for the eventual ‘Ring run. :)
p.s. — I think you might be confusing Joels. :) No worries, though—I did the same think on my personal blog some years back.
(Ah well…he’s the only Joel I know and I can’t imagine him not reading this blog once he gets back from his watery world. But you know what they say about ‘ass’umptions… ;)