Nurburgring Nordschleife

Disneyland for petrol heads is probably the best description for the Nurburgring Nordschleife and the surrounding area. Completed in 1927 and initially built to help bring industry to the area, the Nurburgring Nordschleife has certainly put the small town of Nurburg on the map, helped in no small way by RMA instructor Sabine Schmitz and her appearances on BBC 2's Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson's 2007 Christmas DVD. The Nurburgring is universally accepted as the best and most challenging race track in the world and was used to host the German Grand Prix until Lauda's accident in 1976. It now holds its own series of races known as the VLN and the German Grand Prix alternates between the adjacent purpose built circuit and Hockenheim.

The Nurburgring simply defies description and cannot be compared with any other track anywhere in the world. 12.9 miles, some 170 corners, adverse cambers, blind rises, weather changes... Absolutely fantastic, but definitely not for anyone whose ego exceeds their ability, only sensible drivers are permitted to join us at the Nurburgring.

As always safety is a top priority but due to the special nature of the Nurburgring the policing and control will be of the very highest standard and anyone not complying with "the rules" will face immediate exclusion.

The number of attendees is strictly limited, which results in an almost deserted but safe track. Our operating base is usually at the public entrance to the circuit, which offers the comfort and convenience of the Nurburgring Grun Holle restaurant and the safest entry and exit point to the track.

There is a choice of accommodation in the area ranging form the international Dorint hotel, situated alongside the Grand Prix circuit and 100% motor racing themed even to the point of having an F1 car suspended in the atrium of the main bar, to the small family run guest houses owned and run by car or bike enthusiasts who will also make you very welcome and often at a very reasonable cost. The area also boasts some excellent restaurants where a relaxed and enjoyable evening can be guaranteed.

"RMA's track days are simply must-do events, and there is no better way to experience this unique circuit"

Nurburgring Nordschleife - How dangerous is it?

There is an awful lot of nonsense spoken about the Nurburgring Nordschleife and its dangers. It is legally a public toll road and like other roads in Germany parts of the "track" have speed restrictions. The majority of the Nordschleife's 12.9 miles is obviously unrestricted and is open a number of days throughout the year to the public in road going vehicles such as motorbikes, buses, coaches and some very quick motor cars. There is no doubt about the fact that on these days there are an awful lot of accidents, the majority of which involve motorbikes, some of which are very serious and occasionally fatal. On other days the Nurburgring is closed for the motor industry to test new products and occasionally rented to companies such as RMA for their exclusive use.

RMA Trackdays are one of only a handful of companies worldwide able to offer their customers the opportunity to enjoy the use of the whole Nurburgring Nordschleife exclusively in a controlled environment. This means that not only are we able to allow unrestricted lapping, but more importantly we can control what goes on the circuit (Needless to say there are no buses, coaches or motorbikes!). We also exercise very strict control over driving standards and enjoy an enviable reputation for safety. It is not the Nordschleife that is dangerous, simply some of the idiots that it attracts and those people are not welcome on our events.

There is absolutely no reason why the  Nurburgring Nordschleife should be considered anymore dangerous than any other race track if learnt properly and given the respect it deserves. Unfortunately some drivers try going too quickly, too soon, which almost always results in tears. The circuit is more like a fast country road than a modern race track, there is very little run off area and consequently a small mistake can easily result in contact with the guard rail. The only way to learn the Nurburgring Nordschleife is slowly, if you are contemplating your first visit accept that the fact is that you have to go through a little bit of pain whilst becoming familiar with the track, after which you can begin to enjoy it to its full potential.

Four or five laps will give you a rough idea of where the circuit is going. Around twenty to thirty laps is probably the most dangerous point when the confidence is beginning to grow and you think you know where you are, expecting the road to turn left after the next blind rise only to find it turns right! Treat it with respect, learn the track properly and you'll have more fun than you ever thought was possible while sitting down!

Should I take my own car to the Nurburgring?

Many customers fly out and rent a Nürburgring-prepared car from specialists such as RSR Nürburg. Cars like their Clio 197 Cups are right-hand-drive and perfectly suited to the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Others take their full-blooded Trackday cars on trailers, but maybe rent a slower Clio or Alfa Romeo from RSR for the morning or first day of an event. RSR also offer cars such as their ex-VLN Porsche GT3 Cup.

If you don't have any car, or simply want to fly out and rent a Nordschleife-prepared car from one of the specialist rental companies, it won't cost you much more than driving or transporting your own car out there and could be a great deal cheaper than the cost of an accident in your own.

Please note that the vast majority of commercial car hire companies exclude use of the Ring! That is why we work together exclusively with RSR Nürburg. With 10 years of experience, they can give you the car, the training and the safety it all brings. Their workshop is only 400 meters from the track, meaning tyres changes and setup alterations can be achieved in minutes.

Nurburgring Car Hire

Should I book instruction?

Definitely, but not necessarily straight away! We would normally always recommend instruction at any new circuit to be taken as early as possible, however the unique nature of the Nordschleife makes instruction a little meaningless if you have no previous idea of where the circuit is going. In one hours instruction you will probably only achieve four laps and whilst that is useful it is unlikely that much will register. In our experience it is far better to spend your first day going around relatively slowly and learn the circuit as best as possible taking instruction on the second day when you can hone your lines and the instructor's advice will have far more significance. If you are of the Playstation generation you can learn a lot about the Nurburgring from the Grand Tourismo series although it obviously won't teach you the gradients it certainly helps you learn which way the circuit goes.

RMA Nurburgring Senior Instructors

Nurburgring Trackwalk

A new addition to the programme in 2009 is the trackwalk. This on-track briefing allows you to get out and walk the most difficult sections of the Nurburgring Nordschleife. It’s almost impossible to appreciate these changes of camber and surface from the driver’s seat, but it’s vital to understand them before pushing too hard. Contrary to popular belief, there are no negative cambers on the Nordschleife, see for yourself.

Is tyre support available?

From experience we have found that even the regular Nurburgring Nordschleife driver has little need for tyre support again due to the unique nature of the Nurburgring. We can always arrange for spare wheels etc to be transported out from the UK and for tyres to be available out there (if pre ordered).

Manthey Provide tyre support for Porsche, if you have another make of vehicle then please contact the RMA office for assistance.

I have never been to the Nurburgring before, is this a problem?

Absolutely not, it could be if you choose to go on a public day where you would be mixing with all kinds of traffic, but RMA Trackday events are strictly controlled. Every event will include a number of newcomers and top class instructors are always available. There are only RMA customers on the track, no buses, coaches or motorbikes, and we deliberately restrict numbers to ensure that the track is never crowded.

What about marshalling and general safety?

This is something that we take very seriously however the reality is that with such a long circuit marshalling is an obvious problem, as is two way radio communications due to the topography of the land. During the race meetings that take place on the Nurburgring Nordschleife they use up to 1000 marshalls. On public days there are no marshals on the circuit what so ever.

RMA uses a combination of local flag marshals on the critical corners and our own regular UK marshals controlling the pit lane and paddock areas. In addition we have two fully manned ambulances on standby, one in the main paddock and one situated approximately half way around the circuit. All participants are issued with emergency telephone numbers and a yellow flag to enable them to attract attention in the case of an accident or breakdown.

Directions to the Nurburgring

To plan a route from your doorstep click here

For directions from Cologne Airport click here

For directions from Frankfurt Airport click here

Where to stay?

For a comprehensive list of local accommodation click here

Where to eat?

The most popular restaurant in Nurburg is undoubtedly the Pistenkclause situated in the Tiergarten Hotel which RMA Trackdays usually take exclusively for one evening during our Nurburgring Nordschleife events.

For a list of other places to eat click here

Public days

For more information on Nurburgring public days please click here