Germany 2022 V2.0 - Spa and the Nurburgring

MikkiJayne · #1 6th May 2022, 02:38 PM

Hi everyone,

The German A8 Treffen sadly isn't taking place this year either, so we have taken it upon ourselves to organise a road trip in September instead, taking in the two greatest racing circuits in the world:
Spa Francorchamps, and the Nurburgring. Not just visiting, but driving them both

The trip will start on Monday the 19th of September where we will catch a ferry from Dover to Calais, and make our way to a hotel (tbc) near the Spa Francorchamps circuit.

Tuesday the 20th starts with a leisurely breakfast and then we head to the circuit for the Public Driving Experience. This is a public open-track day for road cars only - no timing, no slicks, no racecars, be sensible, go at your own pace. Mike and I are booked in Pack C which starts at 11:30, to allow for late arrival on the Monday. This comprises four 25 minute sessions split roughly an hour apart, for €319. Alternatively, there is a single run of 25 minutes at 16:00 which is €100.

From here we then have three days of touristing - a Schloss or two, likely a Rhine valley vineyard and wine tasting, and hopefully a trip North to catch up with Vera and Dean. We are hoping that this will encourage spouses and partners to come along for a mini-break rather than it just being all petrolhead stuff and us having to drive 2000 miles on our own in our 8s! Its much more fun with a wingman / wingwoman

This is Cochem. There's a great handbag shop along the front here, and the castle does excellent cake, although its a bit of a hike up there.

After touristing, we head to the Nürburgring for the weekend Tourist Drives sessions. Given my history of the track being closed whenever I go there, we're allowing Saturday and Sunday for track time. I'm planning to get out very early for the first laps on one or both days while the track is quiet, as currently it is expected to be open from 08:00 - 19:00. It is likely to get quite busy during the day. Each lap of the 'ring is €30 and you can buy as many as you like.

We plan on finding something else to do during the busy times on Saturday as well, so its not all going to be track time (unless you want to). There are lots of places to eat in the area, and spectating areas if you fancy that. There is also Nürburg Castle to explore nearby.

Sunday morning may well see a few more laps of the circuit, and then we'll set off mid-late morning for the sprint home, expecting to be back late Sunday night.

Hotels and ferry details are all still tbc, depending on numbers and what we can find. We'll post more info as it turns up.

Who is coming with us?

sarg · #2 6th May 2022, 03:40 PM

We're roadtripping France > Germany > Switzerland > Czech Rep the last 2 weeks of August en route to my brother's wedding, so work will be expecting us both to not take more time off in September

Any tips for places to visit in Germany (not the Ring) would be more than welcome

EDIT: think we are going to cover the Black Forest and the B500 on this trip, then Constanz, then Neuchwansteiner Castle, then on to (near) Prague

tintin · #3 6th May 2022, 06:14 PM

I'd probably be up for that - I've not done the 'ring in Herman for quite a few years now, though I might need that bit of fine fettling finishing by you first Michaela

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tc4332 · #4 6th May 2022, 08:14 PM

Sorry all, I'm pretty busy this year especially through September. Can't even visit my family this year, mind work is earning me a bit of cash so next year might be easier.