You might think by now "what a loser, I don't need to do that, I'm cool, I have great car/bike control, I've been to many trackdays, I know how to drive fast". If that's the case, I'm surprised you're still reading this. However, if you don't mind risking a little lecture, read on and keep in mind that even bad lectures might teach you something ;-)

Why write this page? The Ring is long. It's very long. Your average Formula One track is about 4.5km long. The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is more than 20km long and contains lots of corners. Officially, the Ring has 73 bends (thanks, Ben), but you'll be changing direction upwards of 100 times each lap. As a result, learning the track takes a lot of time. For instance, a track like Zandvoort involves about 14 direction changes. Then there is the altitude difference: the highest point is 300m higher than the lowest point.

If you want to do a good job (i.e. drive safely), you have to have a good idea of the speed you can do in each turn, where to brake, where to turn in, where to apex, and where to track out. It also helps if you know that a certain crest you could easily fly over doing 200+ km/h is immediately followed by a 90 degree turn...

I feel there's an analogy to flying: the first solo flights are dangerous, but the real danger comes when you think you know how to fly. The same goes for the Ring: in the beginning you know that you don't know the track very well. Then comes the time you think you know, but you don't truly know the track yet. To add to the danger factor, this is the time you start to drive faster, which produces new experiences in and of itself. Like the famous Sabine Schmitz says about Kesselchen: "It's quite bumpy. You don't notice it with 120 HP, but with 240, 250 HP Kesselchen is very nice." (Meaning that if you're not careful, you'll end up in the armco.)

Safety
I know this will cause me to repeat myself, but it's for a good cause. Read the safety leaflet.

Additionally, you should know that yellow flags and/or someone waving their arms up and down means that there will be an accident round the next corner. You should slow down as much as possible, and also put on your hazard warning lights to show following traffic and anyone on the track that you are slowing down. Sometimes you may come round the corner to find glass and bodywork spread over the track. This will cause a puncture unless you are going slowly. Sometimes you will find a marshall sweeping the track or laying sand on an oil spill - he will be putting his life at risk on behalf of yours, do not insult him by driving past too fast. Sometimes you will be the first person to stumble upon an accident - consider first aid training, you may be able to save someone's life in such a situation.

So what did I do before going out?

1. Join the Ringers List and read Ben's site.
2. Learn the track layout. Knowing which way the turns go helps a lot to stay on the track.
3. Identify the bends that most newbies tend to crash. Learn from other people's mistakes.
4. Watch videos of cars/bikes driving on the Ring.
5. Play Grand Prix Legends.
6. Do some passenger laps.
7. Read the safety leaflet
8. Take it easy on the first laps.
9. Record my laps on video.
10. Make sure I'm concentrated.

1. Join the Ringers List and read Ben's site

Ben's site contains a vast amount of useful information on the Ring. Reading his pages gives you a feel for the place even if you've never been there before. You might want to read his views on satisfaction.

2. Learn the track layout

3. Know the dangerous spots

• Schwedenkreuz
• Hocheichen
• Aremberg
• Adenauer Forst
• Kallenhard
• Bergwerk
• Eiskurve

4. Watch videos

Lots of very high quality videos, from both bikes and cars, can be found at the site of the late Jørund Seim, joerundseim.com.

5. Play Grand Prix Legends

6. Do passenger laps

You'll find that many people don't mind taking a passenger. An easy way of getting a ride is to arrange something beforehand through the Ringers List (like meeting an experienced driver in the car park), or look for cars with a Ringers sticker on the car. If you have a helmet, bring it along, as many of the faster drivers wisely insist on wearing one, and most don't carry a spare.

7. Read the safety leaflet

The leaflet is available (PDF-format) in the following languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish and Italian.

8. First laps

It helps to have a co-driver: he can do some mirror-watching from the passenger seat, and if he's experienced he can tell you where the track is going and where to position yourself.

I decided to do my first laps in the wet, strange though that might sound. Due to the extreme slipperyness of the track in the wet, speed differences tend to be smaller and the track is much quieter. This allows you to concentrate more on the track, and less on getting out of the way of all the faster cars and bikes. Even better, a wet track means very few bikes out. The enormous closure speeds fast bikes can achieve are scary. As an example, look at Jørund flying past the Ring Taxi, which is very fast itself...

Like I said, how you get ready is a personal thing: I know some very capable drivers who just don't feel as comfortable in the wet as I do. You'll have to weigh the pros and cons yourself.

9. Record your laps on video

Update: unfortunately, the Nürburgring GmbH has banned the use of videoing during tourist hours...

10. Concentration

Something to beware of is doing 'just one more lap'. It tends not to be a good idea. The 'just one more lap'-thought in and of itself might be an indication that your concentration isn't going to last another 20 km. Did I mention the Ring is long :-) ?

Regardless of how well you know the track, keep in mind that you never ever know what to expect, so concentration is essential. You may go out and find the whole lap is clear, and return thinking what was all the fuss about. Next lap you may go out concentrating a little less, and find the 400bhp Ring Taxi with paying passengers, and a long convoy of following Porsche 911's, coming up behind you at exactly the wrong point for you. And believe me, the speeds they will be doing will give you very limited time to make a decision about where you should place your car to get out of the way. Remember - always expect the unexpected on the Ring. That's what makes it unique.

Still here?

Thanks to Euan and Ben for their comments on an early version of this page.