While most driving fanatics have heard about the Autobahn, the German freeway system with sections with no speed limits, a driver’s trip to Germany must also include a visit to the Nurburgring Track Complex. Any driver in any car (safe and road-legal) can pay a fee and take a lap (or five) on the famous track. The track is also an autosports and car mecca, with museums, family activities and other things to experience.
Here is a basic guide to visiting this great driving destination:
Nurburgring
The Nurburgring is a historic car racing centre in Nuremberg, Germany. The track and site started in 1927 and features several road courses, along with other car- and racing-related operations. A great reason to visit the site is because the famed course is open to the public on special public race days. The track is located in central Germany, with easy access to all major cities either by road or by the rail system.
Whether you drive the track yourself or not, do yourself a favour and take a taxi ride. You can take a ride around the track in a BMW M3 ring taxi, which is not just any taxi, but it is specially designed for the road course. You get to be the co-pilot of this 400hp+ rocket ship while a true professional driver takes on the course. Better than any roller coaster, if you pay attention, you’ll also pick up a lot of driving tips. This is not a calm ride around the course to see the sights; this is a hardcore, full-speed, grab-the-edge-of-your-seat ride with a driver who knows every inch of this course.
Racing fans and car enthusiasts should also take the Backstage Tour. The 1.5-hour tour takes racing enthusiasts around the Nurburgring complex, showing them both the public and behind-the-scenes world of this historic track. The best experience at the track is the Tourist Rides, which is when you can drive your own car around the track. Each lap is about $33, with discounts for buying multiple laps in bulk.
If you love to drive, the combination of driving the Autobahn and a visit to the Nurburgring can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Stay at the Dorint Hotel AM Nurburgring, located right on the track. Rooms start from about $150. Visitors can fly into Frankfurt Airport, about 100 miles away from the track complex.