{"id":13563,"date":"2016-03-03T20:58:17","date_gmt":"2016-03-03T20:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=13563"},"modified":"2016-03-03T21:07:51","modified_gmt":"2016-03-03T21:07:51","slug":"a-behind-the-scenes-tour-of-green-hell-nurburgring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/a-behind-the-scenes-tour-of-green-hell-nurburgring\/","title":{"rendered":"A Behind the Scenes Tour of Green Hell – N\u00fcrburgring"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"nurburgring<\/a><\/p>\n

I can’t say I am a huge fan of (or indeed know that much about) motor racing generally, but I do have a Small Boy who is completely enthusiastic about all matters Grand Prix, and a husband who went through a bit of a “petrol head” stage in his student days. \u00a0 \u00a0So, given that it’s virtually on the doorstop of the Lindner Ferienpark<\/a> we stayed at recently, we thought we should go and give the Formula One Track – N\u00fcrburgring<\/a> the once over. \u00a0Luckily I love learning about the history of such places, and believe me the N\u00fcrburgring has a long and varied past…<\/p>\n

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For some strange reason, I had anticipated a “behind the scenes tour” to be mostly indoors, so wondered why I was given a few strange looks when I turned up with a camera around my neck and the baby in his own set of wheels (without an engine). \u00a0As I kind of guessed once our tour guide arrived in winter gear and ear muffs, the tour was to be mostly very much outdoors in the bitter sleet and fog. \u00a0 Not that the baby was bothered mind you, he was nice and warm thanks to his mother’s Bavarian instruction (!) on how to keep a baby warm in winter (which includes at least five pairs of socks to ward off the terribleness that is cold feet) and her previous Scandinavian training too (although I don’t quite go to their extremes \u00a0– if you knew how many layers and duvets get put on Dansk babies I could well make UK tabloid headlines!) so he was happily snug as we took a tour of the pits and paddock (I didn’t know it was called that – I am more used to paddocks for things with four legs not wheels), plus a good section of the freezing cold track.<\/p>\n

Known as Green Hell for its truly challenging driving conditions, the track is\u00a0almost 14 miles long with nearly 80 bends (something that’s still disputed as there are so many!) – the\u00a0N\u00fcrburgring was opened in 1927 with an aim to bring both tourists and economic growth to the then relatively poor region. \u00a0 It was also the ideal test track for Germany’s new motor industry – not quite the behemoth it is today.<\/p>\n

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No racing that day…<\/em><\/p>\n

I couldn’t think of a better person to take you behind the scenes of such a track than our guide Denise either, racing is very much in her blood. \u00a0Friendly and knowledgeable, she’s a true local as she grew up in one of the four villages inside the ring itself (yes you did read that correctly). \u00a0 Her enthusiasm is infectious meaning that you can’t help enjoy a tour here whether you are a “petrol head”\u00a0or not… \u00a0Plus she didn’t mind doing the tour in English for the failed linguist of the group (me) and took extra time making sure the children understood all the different racing terms.<\/p>\n

The last time the German Grand Prix was held here was 2013, and as of yet it’s not sure when it will be held here again, but I’m sure there are drivers waiting for the opportunity to say they have completed this infamous and pretty crazy track. \u00a0 \u00a0 There are several other races throughout the year however, including a mad 24 hour one, and a race (that might give you nightmares if you remember the film duel) with juggernauts. \u00a0 Actually, if you fancy it, and more importantly if you feel your car is up to it – you can book a time to speed around the track yourself. \u00a0 Don’t be certain about getting insurance easily though, and if you happen to have an accident you pay for any damage to the track and the people that cart you off…<\/p>\n

\"racing<\/a><\/p>\n

Included in the tour is a visit to a private collection of historical racing\/driving paraphernalia (which was probably the highlight of the tour for me), an opportunity to have your pictures taken on the winners podium (at which point I will add that the Small People are incredibly lucky I don’t include a lot of pictures of them here as I have a great one of them trying to strangle each other in an attempt to shove the other one off the first place spot), a look inside the pit buildings, and a trip to the very top of the track side stadium which gives you a brilliant view of the track, and the beautiful 12th century castle that overlooks everything.<\/p>\n

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And one of my favourite facts learned on the day? \u00a0 At the very top of the winners wall is a name not recognised by even the most clued up member of our group. \u00a0 It turned out to be a\u00a0N\u00fcrburgring fan who had taken the trouble to sneak in in the middle of the night with an electric drill to add his own name above all the other true winners. \u00a0 \u00a0Why was it still there? \u00a0 Why not was the answer… they like a bit of craziness in these parts!<\/p>\n

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