kopsis

Assuming you have an XBox, PlayStation3, or PC with a decent graphics card, get a racing sim like Forza, Gran Tourismo, or rFactor and spend some time learning the track. Why waste valuable track time trying to learn the line, when you can do it at almost no cost in a sim? After a couple hundred laps in sim, you can then hit the track for real and focus entirely on car control instead of trying to guess which way the next blind curve is going to go. They don't call it the Green Hell for nothing.

Telepierre

Turns out I do have a PS3 and GT but I think I have to buy a new one with the Nurburgring in it. Great idea! BTW - some times training aids are staring you right in the face and you don't realize it.

Now I have to do a forum search on tires..

Telepierre

SoDiezl350 - so it looks like there are ONLY two track days this Year! I guess I have to settle for tourist days and enjoy the scenery..

forg0tmypen

I would give anything to drive the Nordenschleife let alone try and break any lap records...just have fun and enjoy being there in a Corvette!

forg0tmypen

Ive played Gran Turismo 5 many times on my PS3. The Nordenschleife is one of the harder tracks in the game. At beginner levels you lap it around 10 mins in Honda civics. Later on in the game, unless you dedicate every waking second of your life to mastering every turn, you will lose and lose very badly to the computer cars.

Telepierre

45 days past but I suppose it is important to let you know I did finally make it to the Nurburgring-Norschleife on September 17 for two memorable laps. Long story short: 10.09.23.

Glad I survived to write about it!

RC000E

This is an older thread but for current readers, they say if you can break the 10 minute mark, given the traffic, you're hauling ***.

These manufacturers are out there during closed track times. Renting a car and doing some laps, in addition to the fact most people don't even know this track from turn to turn...10 minutes would be hauling ***** for most people.

Telepierre

That Monday between 17 and 19:30 it was supposed to be "tourist" time and some tourist (like me) did show up but the vast majority showed up with race suits (vis a vis my polo shirt), helmets and "track" cars complete with roller cages.
I supposedly struck luck that day with less traffic than usual. I passed most of the tourist. I was humbled by most of the GT2/GT3 racers but I also owe them thanks for pumping a bit more adrenaline for my "serious" track attempt. Turns out that e-force of mine showed some might at curve exits as I could visibly catch up or distance the Porsche's. BUT as most of you suggested, among others... my major handicap was curve entry due to unfamiliarity with the track, inexperience, and I suppose my original 30K GY run flats did not help either.
I did almost "bit it" once and I must have looked like a drunken crazy sailor out there but it was well worth it! I feel like a regular Joe Corvette that survived the nurb. honorably

P.S - Seemingly team GT-R was out there as well. The car flew past me with the lowest exhaust growl pitch I ever heard..

1981turbota

I have talked to many of the 'ring junkies, and they seem to all suggest the car's capability +1 minute is successful. So anything under a 9 minute lap would be great! I have ridden in a 911TT that ran an 8:32, and it felt like we were going mach 2.

Telepierre

Yes, 8:32 is darn fast and now I realize how difficult it can be to even come close. On the other hand, I knew from the get go I was not going to stress my weekend leisure driver to that point....in my leisure/prep lap alone I was already 25/30% engine and tranny temps above my "normal". I was concerned for my car at the end...