Ask any rabid BMW enthusiast about their bucket list and there's an excellent chance that most will include driving the Nürburgring's Nordschleife—the German race track that winds 12.9 miles through the Eifel Mountains, and which Sir Jackie Stewart dubbed "the Green Hell." The good news is that when it is not being used for racing or testing, the Nordschleife is an open German toll road that almost anyone can drive; the bad news is that when it is not being used for racing and testing, it is an open German toll road that almost anyone can drive.
But even better news is that Ross Bentley is taking a small group to drive the Ring when it's not open to the general public. And as this item goes to press, he has four slots remaining open.
If driving the Ring has always been your dream, but you want to drive it without the general public in attendance, and therefore avoid the motorcycles, the tour buses the dense traffic, and drivers in cars that couldn't get out of their own way on a good day, motorsport guru Ross Bentley has the answer for you.
Ross Bentley is one of the most respected and successful driving coaches in the world, not to mention being a very accomplished racing driver in his own right. He is also the author of the hugely popular Speed Secrets series of books.
Ross is working with Ron Simons and his team at RSR Nürburg (http://www.rsrnurburg.com) to accommodate 15 to 20 "serious, but fun" drivers for two days of driving the Nürburgring's Nordschleife on May 30 and 31, 2017.
This will be a repeat visit for Ross. In June 2016 he took 15 drivers to the 'Ring. Three of them were among the individuals interviewed in this video: https://youtu.be/8dcR0c9BjpY, so you know they had a great time.
For this upcoming group in May, the Nordschleife will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and group members can come and go on track all day with the laps included in the base package. If a driver feels the need for more speed, additional laps can be added to the package at a price-per-lap.
For those who are not experts on the Nürburgring, RSR Nürburg can provide one-on-one or shared instructors. Ross Bentley will also be on hand to provide guidance and coaching throughout the days (and evenings). Prior to the actual track days, Ross will be giving a mini-workshop on how to approach this dream driving experience. In the months leading up to the trip, Ross will also provide resources, advice, and guidance to help make your trip and your 'Ring experience as great as possible.
Cars are available from RSR's fleet on a first-come, first served basis. The “default” car is a Renault Megan RS (275 horsepower front-wheel drive) on a shared basis with one other driver. Ross has driven this car on the track and says it's a blast to drive. But RSR has other cars available at an upgrade cost, including BMWs, Lotus Exiges, Nissan GTRs, and Porsches. Driving a car by yourself is the priciest option; sharing a car with another driver will help bring down the cost. RSR Nürburg's web site has the cars available and prices.
It will be up to you to get to the Nürburgring from your home, but once there, all costs will be included in the package. RSR Nürburg will coordinate your accommodations, which are included.
According to Ross, the group dinners on last year's excursion were a highlight of the trip, and will probably be again this year.
The cost for this trip may seem a little steep until you look at what you actually get and remember that the track will not be open to the general public. The price of the trip will be between $5,000 and $10,000, which includes everything between arrival at and departure from the Nürburgring, and depends on your hotel needs, the car you choose, if you have an instructor, if you share the car or instructor with another driver, the amount of driving you do on track, and the Euro-dollar exchange rate. Each participant's package will be tailored by RSR.
Personal expenses, such as air travel, ground transportation to and from the 'Ring, food and accommodations before you get there and after you leave, will be on you.
All of this is very enticing and could be the opportunity many track enthusiasts have been waiting for. But here's the catch. Ross was not given a whole lot if time to put this together. The dates were just released and to make this happen, Ross needs to let RSR know who's coming by the middle of this month.
So if you are interested, if you feel you can take on the Nordschleife, and you can put down a deposit of $2,000 to RSR Nürburg by January 15 with the balance due by May 1, 2017, let Ross Bentley know right away.
E-mail Ross at info@speedsecrets.com to tell him you are interested or if you have any questions. He will put you in contact with Ron Simons so RSR can start putting together your package.
Ross admits that this trip may not be for everyone, but for those who can commit to it, it will be a driving experience they will never forget. We believe him.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and video courtesy of Speed Secrets and RSR Nürburg.]
