Does the word ''Nürburgring'' ring a bell? If so, I certainly managed to arouse your curiosity. If not, well, you may still like cars enough to consider this as your next travel destination – one that you'll be talking about to your family and friends for quite a long time, at the very least to remind them how lucky you were to negotiate the sharp turns of this legendary track.
Located in the town of Nürburg, Germany, the Nürburgring is no ordinary race track. Since it began hosting motorsport events in the spring of 1927, multiple racing series have featured what is now known as ''The Green Hell,'' including Formula One and DTM.
Why am I writing about a circuit that's more than 5,000 kilometres away from home and usually reserved for race car drivers and wealthy enthusiasts? I recently made a trip there and I got the opportunity to complete all 20.8 kilometres of this magnificent venue. Unlike most race tracks, the Nürburgring is also considered a toll road and regular folks like you and me can take advantage of it at certain times during the year.
How did I wind up living this long-cherished dream? As a photographer for Auto123.com, I frequently cover such events as auto shows and media launches. When I learned that I could attend the 2010 Paris Motor Show, I immediately jumped on the occasion. I had one week of vacation left and my boss agreed to let me use it for an extended stay in Europe. I checked the dates for the so-called ''tourist rides'' on the Nordschleife, which you can find here. Yes! The track would be open to the public on the weekend following the show.
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| This aging model born in the late 1980s is a four-door sedan which some might find aesthetically boring. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Located in the town of Nürburg, Germany, the Nürburgring is no ordinary race track. Since it began hosting motorsport events in the spring of 1927, multiple racing series have featured what is now known as ''The Green Hell,'' including Formula One and DTM.
Why am I writing about a circuit that's more than 5,000 kilometres away from home and usually reserved for race car drivers and wealthy enthusiasts? I recently made a trip there and I got the opportunity to complete all 20.8 kilometres of this magnificent venue. Unlike most race tracks, the Nürburgring is also considered a toll road and regular folks like you and me can take advantage of it at certain times during the year.
How did I wind up living this long-cherished dream? As a photographer for Auto123.com, I frequently cover such events as auto shows and media launches. When I learned that I could attend the 2010 Paris Motor Show, I immediately jumped on the occasion. I had one week of vacation left and my boss agreed to let me use it for an extended stay in Europe. I checked the dates for the so-called ''tourist rides'' on the Nordschleife, which you can find here. Yes! The track would be open to the public on the weekend following the show.