Nurburgring shout outs

[Tom_N]

My wife and I recently spent a day on the Nurburgring. If you haven't been, put it on your bucket list. Looking at maps and YouTube videos in no way prepares you for the experience. On our day the mgmnt chose to open the connector roads between the Nordschleife and the GP track, something that's apparently done sporadically and without notice a few days each year. A bonus to help make up for the rain that fell in varying amounts all day.

I'd like to give a shout out to two places that added immeasurably to our time there: Erich at Pension Schwedenkreuz, and Marc at Rent 4 Ring.

We found Erich's place by chance, and a serendipitous find it was. Erich is an old Ring rat, and spent decades in the European racing industry. His commitment is shown by his uber sim racing setup that dominates the parlor. Be sure to ask him for a personal tour of the old paddock, manufacturers row, and the route of the old sudschleife.

R4R was a similarly great find. Although not cheap they have by far the best program in my opinion, including a requirement that you arrive an hour early to review paperwork and rental options, fit helmets and give a 20 minute pre race,... err, pre drive prep session. The car, a track-prepped JCW Mini, was spot on for the first-timer, especially in the rain that we had. I also appreciated that you get the car for a half or full day, taking as many laps as you wish instead of booking the # of laps beforehand as is the more common practice.

[blueline]

My wife and I recently spent a day on the Nurburgring. If you haven't been, put it on your bucket list. Looking at maps and YouTube videos in no way prepares you for the experience. On our day the mgmnt chose to open the connector roads between the Nordschleife and the GP track, something that's apparently done sporadically and without notice a few days each year. A bonus to help make up for the rain that fell in varying amounts all day.

I'd like to give a shout out to two places that added immeasurably to our time there: Erich at Pension Schwedenkreuz, and Marc at Rent 4 Ring.

We found Erich's place by chance, and a serendipitous find it was. Erich is an old Ring rat, and spent decades in the European racing industry. His commitment is shown by his uber sim racing setup that dominates the parlor. Be sure to ask him for a personal tour of the old paddock, manufacturers row, and the route of the old sudschleife.

R4R was a similarly great find. Although not cheap they have by far the best program in my opinion, including a requirement that you arrive an hour early to review paperwork and rental options, fit helmets and give a 20 minute pre race,... err, pre drive prep session. The car, a track-prepped JCW Mini, was spot on for the first-timer, especially in the rain that we had. I also appreciated that you get the car for a half or full day, taking as many laps as you wish instead of booking the # of laps beforehand as is the more common practice.

Thanks for posting this and for the tips - it may come in handy for those venturing to the Rhineland and the 'Ring!

I think I'll place your topic in the Racing sub-forum in addition to the 997 & 996 sub so that readers there might also see it.

[Tom_N]

Oh, I'd meant to put in the OK Corral. Thanks for moving it!

[blueline]

Oh, I'd meant to put in the OK Corral. Thanks for moving it!

Very good Tom! I just now moved it to OK Corral. I may also put a copy in Racing. (A shadow copy will also remain in "997 & 996" forum for a few days.)

[blueline]

Resurrecting an old thread but that's good because this post fits - the newly attached article is a great read. It's also worth a re-read of the OP's initial post, so a worthwhile revival in that respect too.

A friend and fellow-member of our Musik-Stadt PCA club was born and raised near the Nürburgring and has put together a fun and succinct recounting his many years at that wondrous track known as "The Green Hell". He has also included excellent current info for those who might be fortunate enough to visit the 'Ring.

Nürburgring 'A Lifelong Connection...' Ralf Bahr 2026-04-15.pdf

(606.35 KiB) Downloaded 12 times

[WillyDaP]

Loved the info when first posted as Tom's run through the Eiffel Mountains iconic course in a Mini Cooper brought back memories of my father and I screaming through the forest consumed concrete in a 63 Mini Cooper S . No guardrails , no runoffs, no margin of error only tree limbs and trunks feeling like they wanted to reach out and grab you. All this Grun Holle could be run by anyone for the miserly sum of one Deutsch Mark ( about a quarter ). Can I still remember the screams of joy from my father and I, yelling out our adrenaline filled energy which only we and the trees could hear --- you are damn right I can!