Thanks for all the great comments!
I would certainly advice anybody to go and do a lap. At least you have then earned the rhe right put the Ring sticker on the back of your car.
Regarding the lap, I was just taking it easy, and making sure you make it to the end. Didn't want to be one of those guys who stuffs it in the armco on it's first lap. But accidents do happen, the track was at least closed 4 times or so whilst we were there.
Just position yourself on the right hand side well to give quicker cars space to pass on the left, watch your mirrors, and indicate to the right to signal you have seen the quicker people and that they can pass. I found discipline of the most cars quite good, a lot of them will indicate to the left that they will pass you and give you space whilst overtaking.
As it is a public road (unrestricted toll road) German road rules apply, which means overtaking is only allowed on the left hand side and that is closely followed by everybody. That means that you as a slower car will have to stick to the right, and be passed only on the left. Even if this means you're on the racing line and the faster car will have to go around.
And you will be passed, especially on a busy day like last sunday! I spent about 75% of the time looking in the mirrors, don't expect to be able drive the best racing lines. GT3's flying by all the time, and these in turn being overtaken by the locals in old stripped and caged Golf II's and Polo's!
One these first laps of the ring, taking the racing line and speed is an ambition too far anyway, it's too hard a circuit for that. I had a leaky DV and was only pushing out 180 hp or so in my estimation, and never felt a lack of power in my lap.
But besides doing a lap, it is worth a visit. Quite a nice selection of cars to be seen, and been driven around. I believe I even saw more 911's there than in Kensington, and that is saying something. And most of these the pretty hardcore GT3 and GT3 RS variants
And it is a beautiful area, and the B-roads to the Ring are great as well. Just watch your speed, I'm expecting a little souvenir photo from the Polizei in the mailbox soon....
