Nurburgring 3rd-6th July 2009 Essential Info

[spike.]

Driving Tips & Information

Sourced from the AA linky

Documents you should take with you
- A valid full driving licence (not provisional), with paper counterpart if you have a photocard licence
- The original vehicle registration document (v5)
- Your motor insurance certificate, with European entitlement, you'll have to get this in addition to your standard certificate.
- Your passport
- Transport tickets (ferry/tunnel)

Vehicle requirements for France, Belgium, Germany

Equipment
You must make sure that your vehicle is correctly equipped as follows:

- GB sticker (UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) do not need a GB sticker)
- Warning triangle
- Reflective jacket/waistcoat (try your local builders/plumbers/hire center, about £6)
- Headlamp adjustment for driving on the right (see bottom of this post)
- Spare bulb kit (compulsory for France, recommended for Belgium)
http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... p?prod=672
- First Aid kit (recommended for France & Germany)



France

Speed limits: Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers.
In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h)
outside built-up areas 55 mph (90 km/h)
urban motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation - 68 mph (110 km/h)
motorways- 80mph (130 km/h)
Lower speed limits of 49 mph (80 km/h) outside built-up areas, 62mph (100 km/h) on dual carriageways and 68 mph (110 km/h) on motorways apply in wet weather and to visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years.
Additionally, speed limits are reduced on stretches of motorways in built up areas.
Minimum speed limit on motorways 49mph (80km/h).

REFLECTIVE JACKETS & WARNING TRIANGLES IN FRANCE (30 September)
The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.
This regulation will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.

Daytime Driving lights - Compulsory during daylight hours if the visibility is poor.

Special features: Warning triangle or hazard warning lights compulsory (recommended that a warning triangle always be carried). It is recommended that visitors equip their vehicle with a set of replacement bulbs. Snow chains must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads in compliance with the relevant road sign. In built-up areas give way to traffic coming from the right “priorité a droiteâ€

 

[Dal]

A really good pdf guide to driving the Nurburgring:

(3.27Mb so might take a while to load - worth it though)

Nurburgringdrivingguide.pdf

 

[Dal]

Important Thinks to take / have:

Car & Travelling:

Ticket confirmation printout for train/ferry. Norfolkline just need the confirmation number you got in the email.

Hotel confirmation printout. I’ll have the info though if you’re staying at the Ringhaus

Route plan printed from Dunkirk / Calais. If you don’t have a SatNav it may be an idea in case you get separated from the main group. I’ll hand these out at Dover if you don’t have one.

European breakdown cover If you currently have AA/RAC etc cover, it may only be a few extra pounds for the weekend.

Travel insurance Always a good idea though not essential of course.

Oil If your car uses some : it’s extremely expensive in Germany. Taking your car on the track may use a bit remember if you’re ‘enthusiastic’.

Water Or at least a container such as an empty 2L drink bottle. Handy for screen wash or coolant emergencies.

Spare bulb set. Remember HB3 for main lights! Handy and compulsory in some countries we’ll pass through

Locking wheel nut key Know where yours is in the car if you have one.

Spare wheel Make sure yours is ok to be used if necessary. (Or canister of tyre weld if FRP)

Crash helmet Not compulsory but maybe worthwhile on the Nurburgring.

Tools A simple toolkit maybe worthwhile such as Torx driver, screwdrivers, pliers etc. Never know when you might need something.

Insulation / Duct tape. For keeping things still where they’re wobbly.

WD40 For freeing things up when they’re stuck.

Cable ties & Jubilee clips. Handy for keeping pipes still where they’re wobbly

Tow rope Just in case

Fire extinguisher just in case.



Other:

Money Don't rely on one thing - take a mixture of cash, travellers cheques and credit / debit cards. Euros remember, not old DM or Francs you find at the back of the drawer! Lol Might need some for tolls en route – can’t remember.

Camera / Camcorder Make sure you have plenty of space on your memory card (or film) as you’ll no doubt want memories of your trip! – Remember that videoing from the car on the Nurburgring is forbidden. If the marshals see one as you go on track, you’ll be stopped and asked to remove it.

European mains adaptor For your camera/phone charger etc

Mobile phone number list If people can PM me their mobile numbers, I’ll collate a list and print it & email it for everyone. Useful if people get lost etc. (Remember to check that you have international roaming for your phone - your mobile phone company will be able to set this up for you)

Clothing Whilst it can be very hot in summer, the Nurburgring is up in the Eifel mountains so the weather can be changeable very quickly.

Sun tan lotion If you burn easily.

Check your car before you leave for the trip:

http://www.rospa.com/RoadSafety/advice/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... _drive.htm

Safety checklist:
•Brakes
•Lights
•Tyres (wear and pressures)
•Steering
•Suspension
•Screen washers and wipers

Avoiding breakdowns. It will also pay to check those things which most often cause breakdowns:
•oil
•coolant
•drive belts
•Ignition system
•sufficient fuel

 

[Dal]

Some good websites for general and essential information:

http://bridgetogantry.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.northloop.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.nurburgring.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.nuerburgring.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good article on Insurance:
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/insurance.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good guide to driving and safety:
http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?opt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... &Itemid=30

 

[yippeekiay]

Just to add to your insurance details DAL. For people to get a quick idea of a seperate trackday insurance see the attached link which is an insurance company dealing in trackdays. They cover the Nurburgring and I got a quote of around £45 a day which included insurance to cover the fairly high £750 excess. This seems to be a lot less than your article says so may be worth paying depending on how people decide they are going to drive on the ring.

http://www.morispayment.co.uk/trackday_quick_cover.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm guessing there are others out there but this is just for an idea. I will be asking my insurance company if they can cover me and for how much but I'm guessing they will run a mile...lol

 

[Dal]

Not a bad Euro kit to take:

http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_sa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... ck_578.htm

 

[yippeekiay]

Not bad. I found a triangle in the back of my Omega between the back of the seats and the LPG tank which was a bonus so kept it when I sold the car on...lol

Also got more Fluro jackets than I can shake a stick at...lol

Oh...I also got a set of amber roof lights which I might take as they look cool on the Pu'...ehhe

 

[spike.]

this is the right bulb set!

http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... p?prod=672

 

[DradusContact]

Is it easy enough to swap the headlights, you dont need a bit of plastic or anything do you?

Told my insurance i was travelling to Germany yesterday, didnt mention specifically what i was doing there, they just said was it bussiness/social/pleasure and i said yeah. Going to pay the £30 for the AA breakdown cover.

 

[Dal]

Is it easy enough to swap the headlights, you dont need a bit of plastic or anything do you?

Why would you swap headlights? Bit of plastic?

:?

 

[DradusContact]

Swap them to Euro i mean. Sometimes you have to put a plastic reflecter thing on them.

 

[Dal]

Have a little read of Spike's little "how to" here:

http://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?t=3140" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

k:

 

[DradusContact]

Ok cool. Just trying to consider logostics, what i need to buy etc.