Preparation for driving to, and round, the 'Ring is divided into two parts, preparing your car and preparing yourself

Preparing your car

First and foremost, unless you are trailering your car to a trackday, it needs to be road legal. There is also a noise limit on the circuit, currently 95dBa and the marshals do test for this. From 2008 there will also be checks by TUV inspectors of cars which are obviously heavily modified or look like total sheds. If they are not satisfied you will be turned away.

Legal stuff you will require.

• Warning triangle
• Spare set of bulbs
• First aid kit
• Reflective jacket/vest for each occupant (JJB Sports usually sell a pack of 4 for a tenner) One of these can also be used as an improvised 'yellow flag' should you need to assist at a crash on the 'ring
• Headlamp deflectors
• GB sticker if you don't have 'EU' number plates

Recommended stuff you would be daft not to bring.

• Fire extinguisher
• High powered torch
• Spare set of car keys (don't keep both sets together!)

Spares.  Rural Germany still shuts down from lunchtime Saturday until Monday morning. You'd be a bit pissed if you drove over for the weekend and had to stand around for two days because you ran out of brakes. Surprisingly as well, it can be a little tricky to buy a widget for a 1993 Japanese market import in the middle of the Eiffel mountains on a Sunday. I'd recommend as a minimum...

• Brake pads, front and rear (you don't want to end up doing this to fit some locally sourced brake pads)
• If you use a high performance oil, bring 4L
• Exhaust repair bandage and gasket paste
• Duct tape and zip ties  (you can then repair anything)
• Basic tool kit

I personally take a lot more stuff. The rest of them take the piss out of me but someone always sheepishly asks to borrow something while we are there.

 

Preparing yourself

"How hard can it be to drive from Calais to Nürburg?" I hear you ask. Well this list is a result of other people's bad experiences that I have witnessed.

• Driving licence, both parts    BEWARE. Minimum driving age in France and Belgium is 18
• Passport, preferably still valid (seriously!)
• Green card, depending on your insurer some certificates act as a green card. Whatever you do, don't phone your insurers and ask if you are covered on the most notorious racetrack in the world.
• European Health Insurance Card  - If you don't have one apply HERE
• Mobile enabled for International Roaming (they don't all do it automatically)  please insert the Marshal's number in your address book in case of a crash on the 'Ring +49 2691 302 215
• A European map   (your SatNav may stop working)
• I would advise you to leave any radar detector at home. French police will confiscate/destroy it and then march you off to a cashpoint so you can pay your fine. They even notice sucker marks on windscreens, so clean them off too unless you fancy unloading your car for them to search it.

In addition there are several items you must have in your car when your drive a lap of the 'Ring

• Driving licence (both parts)
• Insurance certificate and green card if appropriate
• V5 registration document
• Passport (this advice is from Nürburgring Gmbh)
• Credit Card to pay your bill when you crash
• If driving a hire car, a copy of your rental agreement (which will say the 'Ring is banned)

If you are involved in an accident on the circuit you will not be allowed to leave the office until these have been seen by Nürburgring Gmbh and/or Polizei so you are a bit stuffed if they are sat in your hotel room, so stick them all in a little folder and keep it in the car when you are on the circuit.