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Friday May 28th - Monday May 31st 2010! Mazda on Track are delighted to announce the return of the definiative road trip for 2010 - A fully inclusive road trip to the worlds greatest motor racing circuit in the Eifel Mountains in Germany, the Nurburgring where you will have the chance to drive the circuit, sight see the old historic towns and castles, and immerse yourself in petrol head nirvana. You can come in any car you like, but we expect the vast majority to be Mazdas!
What is the Nurburgring and why should I want to go with Mazda on Track? The Nurburgring is one of the oldest, longest and probably most famous race tracks in the world. Set in the stunning Eifel mountains, it is more like a road than a track. This point is made even more interesting in that when it's not being used for racing or prototype testing, it is a one way, derestricted public toll road. The track is 14 miles long, has 140 corners, and takes around 9-11 minutes to complete one lap. On that lap it is not uncommon to have eagles fly above your car, see some of the world most exotic race machinery and to experience some of the most extraordinary corners ever seen on a circuit. The surrounding region is equally breath taking, miles and miles of old historic towns linked together by fabulous well kept empty tarmac. There is plenty of sight seeing to be done, and just walking around the track is a day's work in itself! The food is great value and high quality and the beer is of course arguably the best in the world. All of this brings a great UK community of people together, and several UK drivers make several pilgrimages out there each year, our members of staff included. This is an amazing place, and definitely something you have to experience. Mazda on Track staff have a combined experience of just under 1000 laps between the three of them, Al Clark who has completed over 430, Nick Dougill who has done over 250 and Jim Cameron who has completed over 330 laps. Needles to say, you're in good hands with our team!
Provisional Timings for the Run: May 28th - It's going to be a fairly early start as to make the most of the trip! We will be taking the Tunnel to get us across the pond nice and quick.
There will then be a brief welcome from the team who will quickly discuss the details of the convoy, take a register, and hand out run packs and put you in convoy groups. We will then check in at the ferry which will set sail to France! We will then take the Channel Tunnel from where it takes around 5 hours on our route to reach the hotel and the circuit. The route takes us down the E40 where we turn off at Eupen for a final fuel stop and enjoy a fantastic country drive through quaint Belgian villages and along some superb forest roads straight to the hotel. We expect to arrive at around 3pm. It is quite possible in a normal MX-5 1.8 to do the run from Calais to the 'Ring on one tank of fuel.
At 5pm, (German Local Time) there will be an optional talk about the Nurburgring, its amazing history, and how to get the most out of it including safety, basic pointers and tips, and all the basics like how and where to buy a ticket and where to park! This will most likely take place in the hotel. If you are new to track driving or the Nurburgring this is highly recommended.
At 8pm (German local time) we will have a huge introductory meal for all runners so everyone can get to know each other, get a closer look at all the cars, and ask any questions they may have. Saturday - Sunday: Lapping / Sight seeing / Relaxing
Final Day: Enjoy a final breakfast, and assemble at around 9 am for departure. We will then drive to a nearby location for a group photo and we will set off for Calais! We will be expecting to be at the Tunnel to arrive back in the UK around 7pm. We will be returning the same route we came. Common Questions: Included in the basic price of the run are:
Not Included in the price:
See booking and payment methods below. Do I need a crash helmet? Whilst the answer is no, if you want a passenger lap with a regular, there is a bit of an unwritten rule amongst old hands that you wear one, especially in an open roofed MX-5. It's just sensbile. How much will it cost me on top of the run? Eating out cheap is easy, giant 30" pizzas are only a few Euro's and chinese takewaways are gigantic and cost under €10. Beer is around €2.00 for 1/2 litre, and plenty of restaurants are easily within a five minute walk from the hotel. Petrol will be your main expense, probably, - petrol is priced pretty similarly to the UK but the trick is to fill up 5 minutes down the hill in Adenau where it's cheaper. MoT staff are regulars and season ticket holders to the track, and estimate you will do around 10-15 laps per tank of fuel. Remember, 2 laps is 20 minutes of hard driving! Laps depend entirely on how many you want to do. A single ticket is €22, but this reduces in price if you buy multi-lap tickets (5/10/25 etc). Laps you don't use do not expire until the end of the year, and can often be sold on for close to face value if you are not able to return. Is there any tuition? Whilst Mazda on Track cannot offer any tuition on track, we are able to arrange an extremely informative track walk with an approved English speaking Nurburgring Instruction school called RSR who will take you via mini-bus to some of the most important and famous corners and teach you how to get round in one piece! We will also be holding a full and mandatory safety briefing for all drivers on the trip once we arrive to make sure you know what to do, where to do it, and how to get home in one piece!
What are the opening times for the track? Current Status: Open all weekend for lapping! What are the essentials I have to bring?
What do I need to do to my car to prepare? The important part is to make sure your car is serviced. It does not have to be a track car, you don't need a roll cage, posh brakes, stiff suspension or racing tyres to go, it's just as good in a stock car as a modified one. What happens if I crash or breakdown on the 'Ring? Whilst we advise not crashing, it can happen. You should not underestimate the Nurburgring, with most corners being blind and with often no more than a metre of run off before solid armco. If you drive round at a pace at which you are totally in control and comfortable with, you should be fine. Al Clark has done over 400 incident-free laps there, so the old phrase of 'it's bound to happen' isn't necessarily true. If you do crash however, it's an expensive process. Armco, track closure and recovery are all very pricey, and you must be able to pay on the day via credit card. Bills can easily run into €1000's, but if you are unlucky and spin on fluids, it will not count as your fault. The staff at the 'Ring are friendly and helpful, and all the marshals I've ever met are sympathetic if you're well mannered.Your road insurance will almost certainly not cover you at the Nurburgring. We hope to be able to offer dedicated insurance for the 'Ring through a 3rd party insurance company. Details soon! Can I film or chase lap times? Chasing lap times more often than not ends up in the armco. Our advice is do not take a stop watch. If you really want to know your times, take a data logger and leave it running all day. You'll forget it's even on, and then at the end of the day you can show everyone! There are no winners on public driving, so take it easy, and just enjoy it. There is a blanket ban of filming on the track. Doing so is entirely at your own risk and you may get banned if you are caught. None of the MoT staff encourage taking film for this reason. There will be a multitude of talented photographers around the track who will take your photo for you. What age must I be to drive? You must be 18 years old to drive in Europe. What else is there to do, besides drive the 'Ring? I want to sight see! Plenty. For example: There is the gorgeous city of Cochem - which you can easily spend a day just touring around.
There is also the delightful Satzvey Castle around 40 minutes drive through winding contryside to the village of Kommern. Plenty to do here including archery, fire eating, jousting and birds of prey. Well worth a visit if you want to see some German heritage! There is also a Centre Parcs, Zoo's, Go-Karts, Museums and Toboggan runs (great fun) all very close. Special Additions If we can make your trip even more special, or you want to extend the journey, upgrade to a more luxurious hotel, or you just want a cold pint waiting for you when you arrive, let us know! What to expect in Pictures:
Nick Dougill attacks one of the last corners of the track in one of the MoT track cars. - Frozen Speed
A car lovers paradise. Never is there so regularly such a mix of stunning cars in one place. It's not uncommon for people to just walk up to the owner, and after a good chat be offered a lap in it!
The view from Nurburg Castle, as taken on a clear spring morning looking across to the Grand Prix circuit (which you can visit along with a superb museum and see the BMW Test centre).
Al Clark in his old MX-5 at play on a decidedly wet Adenau Forst - 54photography
Parked up in the legendary car park - Filled with some of the worlds best sports machinery (and some Porsches). - John Marcar
The simply stunning surrounding countryside, and the roofs of the town of Adenau that sits inside the circuit. - Nige Henman
The world famous Argentina fillet steak, which you cook yourself at your table at the Pistenklause restaurant. The restaurant has some amazing memorabilia and signatures from some of the worlds greatest motor racing heros. Everyone has to go here to sample it just once.
Regular MoT customer Gary Handa flies round in his supercharged monster. - Louise Pinder
Staff member Al Clark on the road leading to track in Autumn. Please note Due to customer request to make departure time from the UK less of a night time operation we will now be travelling via Euro Tunnel and also reducing the crossing time to 35 minutes. This will also allow for any one who has space in their car on the return journey to visit Citi Europe Hypermarket in Calais. You could always camouflage it as a weekend in the mountains on twisty roads with shopping trip on the way back! CONFIRMED AND PAID BOOKINGS Places are limited to 30 cars, so be sure to book early!
This event is currently sold out. We can still arange extra spaces travelling at slighly different times of day. Please contact us direct for details
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