Well you guys all seem to be pretty set on a trip out there. Can I just offer some suggestions and make some comments?
Don't time your laps - you're all talking about going for what are known as Tourist Fahren (TF) sessions - this is when the road is open as a public road to cars and bikes together. As it is a public road, being caught timing will mean that your insurance is invalid, especially if you were found to be timing at the time of an incident.
As someone has said German traffic laws apply. In addition to this, as the place is run by Nurburgring GmbH (a private company) there are what are often described as Hausrecht - house rules. This means they top up the laws with their own rules - no video or stills cameras in cars during TF. Get caught filming, timing, or get caught driving like a tosser and you can be banned, maybe for a day, a week, a season, or even life-time.
There is an EU accord for motor insurance across Europe. In every country in the EU your UK insurance provides the minimum level of cover required to drive in that country. This means you have third party insurance cover on your standard UK insurance.
Track day insurance cannot be bought to cover TF sessions - it's an open road, not a track.
PLEASE don't call your insurer and ask 'am I insured on the Nurburgring?'. The answer WILL be 'no'. The more people ask, the more exclusions will be included and the more difficult it will be to get insurance to drive there. Check your policy document (even if you're with Flux - it's another broker who thinks they have blanket exclusions).
Claims that you have heard being refused are for damage to the driven car. Damage to Armco and other cars IS covered, provided there are no written exclusions in your policy document.
I've stayed at the Dorint, personally I think it's a soulless Euro-bland hotel. There are far more friendly hotels where you can stay, which are cheaper and you will enjoy far more of the spirit of the 'ring.
I've posted a bit more information
here.
Oh and this is a great photo:
....if you want everyone to know you're a big girl who was too scared to drive one of the most thrilling and unique parts of the 'ring (the Karussell).
And of COURSE it's possible to drive the 'ring in under 9 minutes in a Golf.
Here's a video of someone doing an 08:50 in a Golf MKII 16V, of course.
