The Green Hell

For those of you who don't know, the grueling Nurburgring 24 Hours is this weekend. One of the single most challenging tracks on the planet will play host to over 100 drivers as they compete in what is always an incredible race.

Team Need For Speed will be present in the BMW Z4 GT3, featuring Tommy Milner. Above, you'll see truly epic video of a practice lap he did a few weeks ago at The 'Ring. Take special note of a few things in this video: Notice that there's not a lot of sudden movement with the car, he's quick, but smooth. Also worth noting is how violent it is. Watch the car shake as it goes through the Karussell.

We will have coverage of the whole race for you throughout the week, including a live stream and photos, so stay tuned!

12.6m road course i have always wanted to take a ride around that circit.....color me intreaged

yeah i agree.

lets go to where ever that track is i think its in germany and find acouple bmw's break onto the track and have a blast b4 the cops come

I would love to do that. I would most definitely love it. For now though I can only enjoy it in my Shift game.

lol now i really need gt5

Nordschleife public access

The Nordschleife has remained a one-way, public toll-road for nearly 80 years except when it is closed off for testing purposes, training lessons, or racing events. Since its opening in 1927 the track has been used by the public for the so-called "Touristenfahrten," i.e. to anyone with a road legal car or motorcycle, as well as tour buses, motor homes, or cars with trailers. It is opened mainly on Sundays, but also many Saturdays and weekday evenings. The track may be closed for weeks during the winter months depending on weather conditions and maintenance work.

German road law applies during Touristenfahrten sessions. There is no general speed limit although speed limits exist in certain areas in order to reduce noise and risks. Passing on the right is prohibited and the police prosecute poor driving with the aid of helicopters.

The cost of driving a single lap of the Nordschleife is €24 for each car or motorcycle. Multi-lap tickets can be purchased for a lower per-lap price, such as 4 laps at a cost of €89 (€22.25 per lap). Additional multi-lap prices are 15 laps for €310, or 25 laps for €470. An annual ticket (called a Jahreskarte) with unlimited laps, valid from January 1st to December 31st, can be purchased for €1350. Twenty minutes' driving the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit is €38. All prices are current for the 2011 calendar year and include VAT. All laps apart from Jahreskarte are added to the new local payment system "ring°card" which works on the same principle as an Oyster travel card. This ring card stores your laps and will also be used instead of cash in a lot of the local Nürburgring GmbH-owned shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. With the exception of one lap tickets, every lap ticket bought has credit for food and drinks at the Eifeldorf Grüne Hölle village and free entry to the ring°werk museum.

This Nürburgring version is a popular attraction for many driving and riding enthusiasts from all over the world, partly because of its history and the challenge it provides. The lack of oncoming traffic and intersections sets it apart from regular roads, and the absence of a blanket speed limit makes it an additional attraction.

Normal ticket buyers on these tourist days cannot quite complete a full lap of the 20.8 km (13 mile) Nordschleife, which is bypassing the modern GP-Strecke, as they are required to slow down and pass through a 200-metre (220 yd) "pit lane" section where the toll gates are installed. There is also on busier days a mobile ticket barrier installed on the main straight in order to reduce the length of queues at the fixed barriers. This is open to all ticket holders. On rare occasions it is possible to drive both the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit combined.

Drivers interested in lap times often time themselves from the first bridge after the barriers to the last gantry before the exit. In the event of an accident the local police are known to make note of any timing devices present (stopwatches, etc.) in the police report. The driver's insurance coverage may consequently be voided, leaving the driver fully liable for damage. Normal, non-racing, non-timed driving accidents should be covered by driver's insurance, but it is increasingly common for UK insurers especially to put in exclusion clauses that mean drivers and riders have third-party cover only.

The 'Ring has caught many people out as there is very little run-off and the Armco barrier will be hit at almost any speed should a vehicle leave the tarmac. The Teffers straight between Adenauer Forst and Metzgesfeld is known for its high number of expensive accidents.

Drivers who do crash have a responsibility of warning following vehicles that there has been an incident. If an accident occurs typical passerby procedure is to stop only if needed.(Needs include stopping to render first aid or to warn incoming traffic.) Follow up accidents are frequent and, the less chaos at a scene, the less chance for another "follow-up" accident to occur. The 'Ring, although for all intents and purposes a race track when used for racing, still remains a public road when opened to the public and is policed as such. Anyone caught or reported as driving dangerously can be fined or banned by the authorities. The costs can also be prohibitive with vehicle recovery, track closure penalties, and Armco repairs costing up to €15,000 out-of-pocket.

That is amazing information you found. Now if only I had the money and time to travel I would go.

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