Words: Jim Cameron Pictures: Gary Kinghorn

wholly within the circuit, including Do I Really Nürburg itself with its famous castle, and offer glimpses of the circuit through the trees of the Eifel Mountains. There are two circuits, the Nordschleife (or North Loop) built in 1927, and the modern Need ’Ring Grand Prix circuit that was built in the 1980s. The latter is open, wide, with huge gravel traps to collect the boisterous or unwary, but the old circuit, Insurance? famously dubbed ‘The Green Hell’ by Jackie Stewart, has only just received Armco all the way along its length. Lots of drivers don’t bother, but as There is no run-off. It is unforgiving, full of blind corners, tightening radii, Jim Cameron warns, any sort of incident on unhelpful cambers and consists of seemingly randomly relaid surfaces that the Nürburgring is likely to cost you dear add to the complexity. In the wet, it is just lethal. It is still eremy Clarkson has a lot to as the fun and variety of the public used for racing, the Nürburgring 24-hour answer for. His novice attempts sessions, and the notoriety of the race in particular threatening LeMans’ Jto get a diesel Jaguar around the Nürburgring now gets underlined, twice pre-eminence as the annual endurance Nürburgring in less than 10 minutes a week, repeated on Dave. racing spectacle, and test mules, remains one of ’s finest The greatest track on earth still prototypes and heavily disguised new moments. Clarkson had previously opens its doors to ‘tourist driving’ or models from many manufacturer pound completed the three-day BMW ‘Touristenfahrt’ (TF). Deemed too the circuit by day. The Nürburgring has intensive driver training course some dangerous for F1 since Lauda’s accident become the industry standard test track, years beforehand and knew the track in 1976, the old circuit was originally with lap times, meaningless though they well, but as with all of Top Gear’s best built in 1927 to showcase German may be, being hotly contested. The bits, this work of fiction was tightly supremacy in automobile manufacture barriers then open to the public in the shot, well edited, funny and involving and competition. Climbing a net 1300ft evenings and on free weekends, with a whilst still being believable. Later that over the course of a 12.8-mile lap, the single lap costing €23 in 2010. year on the ’s anniversary, Germans deliberately incorporated every returned to the combination of camber, compression ’Ring to document Clarkson’s native and radius of curve. Three villages lie guide, Sabine Schmidt, following up on her threat to ‘do it faster in a van’. Both really served to capture the fear, as well

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There’s a small group of volunteer marshals who support tourist driving. Exclusively enthusiastic TF participants themselves, often with thousands of laps under their belts, they are contracted by Nürburgring Gmbh to perform an important function out on track and comprise mainly Germans, Dutch and a handful of Brits. With no manned marshal positions out on circuit, the roving marshals are the critical link in the event of an incident. They’ve signed up to a code of conduct, and will often be among the first on the scene of an accident, flagging incidents and directing the initial response. They also monitor the driving standards of those out on track, but a cautious beginner will tend to be given helpful advice back in the car park rather than an immediate ban. It is in this capacity that I’ve witnessed some significant changes over the last couple of years. Firstly, the ’Ring’s management has changed, and this has revolutionised how it does business, and for the better. Owned by the state, the previous arrangement was governed by a quango that maintained the ’Ring’s unique charm through a combination of parochialism and eccentricity. Massive investment over the last three years has led to a transition of authority to a business consortium, opening opportunities for UK trackday and trip operators and bringing business nous to languages, there are more English circuit that houses a museum, shopping, the organisation. Safety has improved, speakers and the advent of trackdays in event venue, indoor go-kart track with car parking is still a nightmare, but for peak season has opened the place up to new restaurants, hotels and a casino. the visiting Brit the whole place is much a wider audience for whom TF is a little These new attractions broaden the more approachable. too unstructured. There is a massive appeal of the ’Ring and make it more Signs are now in a variety of new development alongside the GP family friendly, although the stunning- looking rollercoaster is a bit of a sore point – it comprehensively failed to Taken from ‘Nürburgring Insurance’ – www.leeds-solicitors.com achieve its safety certification and will never run. The charm and history of In August 2010 the Financial There is no restriction on the right to Nürburg and Adenau remain, and the Ombudsman Service made a final exclude certain matters affecting the decision regarding a case concerning the policyholder’s own property and person. Eifel is a stunning region. Nurburgring Nordschleife. The Such matters are governed by the But beware: the greatest issue for Ombudsman ruled that the Nordschleife contract of insurance entered into by Brits who wish to take part in TF is is a one way toll circuit with all the both parties. Hence, the insurer can insurance. Many people still choose to characteristics of a ‘prepared course’. indemnify the third party (to comply with rely on a variation of the US military’s The insured’s policy excluded use on a the law) without having to indemnify the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach to the ‘prepared course’ . This sort of exclusion driver for his own losses if they arise extent of their insurance cover on the was held to be neither unfair or from an excluded event or situation. unreasonable given the increased risks Nordschleife. If you aren’t aware of an Your insurance policy will probably associated with driving in such places. exclusion in your policy, then there can’t contain a clause to the effect that if the The existence of road traffic laws and be an issue, can there? Unfortunately, insurer is obligated to meet a claim it speed limits was said to be irrelevant as this is often not the case. For some time, otherwise would not pay then the insurer it is still a ‘prepared course’. The insurer is entitled to reclaim the settlement from several UK insurers sought to exclude agreed to meet any third party liabilities the policyholder. In May 2010 the cover by small print references to but this did not mean that the driver was insurer’s right to recovery was ‘derestricted toll roads’, ‘one-way driving within the terms and conditions of considered by the Court of Appeal. The his policy. The ombudsman said that UK derestricted roads’ and ‘prepared case has been referred to the European and European law requires insurers to courses’, along with the usual ‘race, rally provide a minimum of 3rd party only Court of justice. or time trial’ exclusions. You’d have to cover even if their policyholders are using © Andrew Thompson & Co. Solicitors, be patient and go looking for these the insured vehicle in a manner which 47 Park Square, Leeds LS1 2NL, UK. references, and often they aren’t invalidates their own-damage cover. Tel: 0113 3835314 www.leeds-solicitors.com disclosed until the policy has been

26 their costs from the insured party Taken from Ben Lovejoy's against the wording of the exclusions in Nürburgring Nordschleife the insurance contract. site – www.nurburgring.org.uk So what is the liability? It is very different to driving on a track in the UK. ● Base fee for attendance of Indeed, on a trackday in the UK you sign Armco truck: €150 a disclaimer to signify that you ● Removing damaged Armco: understand the risks, and that you are €10/metre (x2 or x3 or x4 for accountable for your own conduct multiple-height sections) within parameters laid out for you in a ● Replacement Armco: €31/metre compulsory briefing. Paying to drive at a (x2 or x3 for double/triple height) circuit normally includes the circuit’s ● Removing damaged Armco liability for damage, so if you move the posts: €5.10 each tyres at Quarry, or fall off at any of the ● Replacing Armco post: €39 each ‘Druids’ in the UK, you will still have the ● Safety car attendance: €82 per damage to your car to pay for, but the 30 mins (car + 2 people) Armco or the tyres that you’ve shifted ● Circuit closure: €1,350 per hour won’t be your problem. Mess up at ● Recovery truck: €190 (inc VAT) Hatzenbach on the Nordschleife though, ● Hospital stay & air ambulance: and you’ll be buying the Armco you’ve Let's just say, do NOT go there hit. And no, you don’t even get to take it without travel insurance! (Though home with you. a European Health Card – which This seems harsh, but road laws replaced the E111 – may cover apply in the same way a local council in the hospital bit.) the UK will pursue you for third-party Everything except the recovery damages if your over-exuberance on the truck is then subject to 19% VAT. road turns one of their lampposts into an Anglepoise. More accurately, they’ll The record Armco bill I'm aware of pursue your insurers. Damage to the is €15,000. That was a car that track has to be quickly repaired to allow managed to flatten a very racing, and also because industry and impressive length of Armco others will have paid a fortune for use of between the Quiddlebacher Hohe the circuit and won’t take kindly to road bridge and the crest on the works restricting use. Consequently any approach to Flugplatz. But even a bill from the Nürburgring will include minor bump can turn into a bought and paid for and the full marshal time (not the volunteers, I surprisingly expensive day out. conditions received. There have been should stress), cleanup costs, Armco – more than a couple of big claims that priced in three-metre sections – and, if resulted in arguments both in and out of you’ve caused one, the unfortunate can compulsory briefing or contract of court about the nature of tourist driving, be billed for closure time while the understanding before participating. but interestingly, German and other incident was dealt with. This makes for Many are still happy to just pay their European insurers have no issue with big bills; but these pale into money and take their chances without Touristenfahrt, content with the insignificance alongside the other third- really understanding how the place classification of the Nordschleife at party costs that potentially can arise works. The real nightmare scenario for these times as a public road. from a major accident. drivers is the fluid spill, and the Indeed the Nordschleife is still used If you have a coming together with catastrophe that can follow as cars and as the fastest way down to the someone else then the police, as on the motorbikes arrive at near race speeds. supermarket in Adenau by some public road, will attend. They are very I’ve attended some big accidents and it Nürburg residents, and parallels have used to dealing with incidents and is my worst nightmare of TF. The been drawn with the Isle of Man, the blame will often be determined at the importance of a well-maintained car is public roads that close for Le Mans, and scene. The ‘track’ is treated as a two- critical and any leak, no matter how various Alpine passes and hillclimb lane road which takes no account of a small, must be attended to before the courses. Often the insurers backed racing line, and means that, like on the car is subjected to a thrashing on the down, but this changed as the number autobahn, the car on the right cannot toughest track on earth. of cases increased. The number of Brits pull across in front of an overtaking car – The best advice is to check with your making the five-hour drive from the ferry in effect changing lanes – without broker. Cover is available, but the better has multiplied dramatically since the indication and allowing the right amount the relationship with the insurance 1990s, and while the UK’s insurance of space. This catches people out: providers the more likely they will be ombudsman has ruled that exclusion for unused to the circuit they fail to able to accommodate your needs. For first-party cover is possible, third-party appreciate the massive closing speeds those not wanting to risk their pride and costs for driving in Europe – including on of things coming up behind, and wander joy, there are now companies offering that piece of road – would have to be out in front of a hard-charging German rentals of modern, well-prepared cars met by the insurer. This year however, GT3. Signage at the car park in English ranging from Suzuki Swifts to road- some insurers who have been forced to has improved, and there is even a safety registered race cars. Track insurance is pay third-party claims have taken their video playing on a loop by the ticket supplied, and you can pay more up front own clients to court seeking to recover office at the TF entrance, but there’s no to reduce the excess. RSR Nürburg is www.trackdriver.com 27 NÜRBURGRING INSURANCE

one of the Ring’s longest established laps in by lunchtime on a busy Sunday. Don’t take the risk! rental and instruction companies: having “Enjoy it?” “Oh god, yes!” she started out some years ago with enthuses “Still have no idea where the UK trackday organisers: transaxle Alfa 75s, they now have a fleet track goes… and the speed that some BookaTrack.com that includes Renaultsport Clios, other cars are going is amazing.” www.bookatrack.com Mégane R26Rs and Lotus Exiges in Nevertheless Tania has managed to both left- and right-hand drive, as well overtake a thing or two herself, and is EasyTrack as Porsches for established customers. still grinning several days later. Another www.easytrack.co.uk I’m always impressed with the abilities addict is born… GoldTrack of the R26R, never more so than on the These days, there is another way to www.goldtrack.co.uk ’Ring where its prodigious grip, willing experience the Nordschleife. The appeal engine and sheer breadth of capability of trackdays at the ’Ring is clear, Lotus On Track makes it so easy to go quickly in. particularly if the organiser is an ATDO www.lotus-on-track.com What’s more, each of these riotous member and therefore trackday RMA Renaults has a cage, Kevlar race seats insurance can be arranged. In previous www.rmatrackdays.com and proper harnesses, and as they are years, the only dates available were immaculately maintained and housed either very early or very late season, European trackday organisers only 300m from the entrance, the risk of drastically reducing the chances of a dry and car hire: mechanical failure is minimised. track. The track is marshalled at a Out at the Nürburgring on trackday as it would be for racing, RSRNurburg TrackDriver’s behalf with a car on test, I allowing participants to drive with more +49(0)2691931952 meet Tania Mann, on her first visit to the confidence knowing that you’ll be www.rsrnurburg.com ’Ring. She’s recently decided to take up warned of trouble ahead. trackdays – this being only her fourth – Driving standards tend to be much and she’s wide-eyed with excitement at higher than during Touristenfahrt the sheer scale and theatre of the track. sessions, and the opportunity to In at the deep end, quite sensibly she complete full flying laps or combined didn’t want to risk her 997 Turbo, and so grand prix and Nordschleife laps is she’s rented an RSR Clio. fantastic. There’ll be no bikes or tourist There’s simply no point taking coaches on track and the track density anything faster on a first visit – the Clios is often very low compared with a busy are plenty fast enough, are 5-star NCAP TF weekend. Instruction is also rated and very forgiving to drive. She permitted, as is filming, two unusual doesn’t hang about either, getting six exclusions that the ’Ring enforces ■

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